Henry II of France
Henry II of France was born in 1519. He was the eldest son of King Francis I and his wife, Claude of France. Henry became King of France in 1547 after the death of his father. He was known for his military campaigns and his patronage of the arts. Henry was married to Catherine de' Medici, and they had ten children together. However, he also had several mistresses, including Diane de Poitiers, who had a significant influence on his reign. During his reign, Henry continued his father's efforts to expand French territory, waging wars against Italy and Spain. He also strengthened the monarch's power over the nobility by creating a more centralized government. Henry was an avid patron of the arts, and he supported many famous artists, including Leonardo da Vinci. He also oversaw the construction of several important buildings, including the Château de Chambord and the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. Unfortunately, Henry's reign was cut short when he died in a jousting accident in 1559. His death marked the end of the Valois dynasty and paved the way for the accession of the Bourbon dynasty.
