Charles IV, Duke of Alençon
Charles IV, Duke of Alençon, was born in 1489 in the duchy of Alençon, France. He was the second son of René, Duke of Alençon and Marguerite de Lorraine. Charles was educated in theology and the humanities, and he became interested in the arts, particularly music and architecture.
In 1515, Charles married Marguerite d'Angoulême, the sister of King Francis I of France. They had no children. During his marriage, Charles became involved in political and military affairs. He fought in the Italian War of 1521-1525 and the French Wars of Religion.
In 1525, Charles' brother, the Duke of Alençon, died, and Charles inherited the duchy. He became one of the leaders of the Huguenots, the French Protestants, and he was involved in the conspiracy to kidnap King Francis I to secure his release from captivity in Spain.
Charles died in 1525 at the Battle of Pavia, where he was fighting alongside King Francis I. He was buried in the church of the Cordeliers in Paris. Charles' wife, Marguerite, went on to become a prominent figure in French Renaissance literature and culture.
