Henry II of France

Henry II of France (1519-1559) was a king from the Valois dynasty who ruled from 1547 until his death. His reign was marked by the consolidation of royal power and the beginning of conflicts with Huguenots (French Protestants). Henry was known for his ambitious foreign policy, particularly in Italy, and his patronage of the arts, influencing the Renaissance in France. He married Catherine de' Medici, with whom he had ten children, strengthening political alliances. His sudden death in a tournament led to a power struggle, setting the stage for religious wars that followed in France.