Francis I (Lorraine)

Francis I of Lorraine

Franz I Duke of Lorraine - Mercœur (French François Ier, duc de Lorraine-Mercœur ; born August 23, 1517 in Nancy , † June 12, 1545 in Remiremont ) was the eldest son of Anton II and his wife Renée de Bourbon-Montpensier (1494–1539), daughter of Gilbert de Bourbon-Montpensier .

Franz I was only a brief duke. He was his successor after the death of his father in 1544, but died the following year. He had been married to Christina of Denmark since 1541 , daughter of King Christian II. She was the widow of Francesco II. Sforza , whom she had married in 1533.

Originally Franz I was supposed to marry Anna von Kleve , but a marriage contract that had already been signed as a child was never implemented. Anna later became the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England .

progeny

With Christina of Denmark he had the following children:

Charles III , Duke of Lorraine (February 15, 1543 - May 14, 1608), married to Claudia von Valois , Princess of France
Renata (born April 20, 1544; † May 22, 1602), married since 1568 to Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria from the House of Wittelsbach
Dorothea (* May 24, 1545; † June 2, 1621), married since 1575 in first marriage to Duke Erich II of Braunschweig-Kalenberg , in second marriage from 1597 to Marc de Rye de la Palud, Marquis de Varabon and Count de la Roche and Villersexel

predecessor	Office	successor
Anton II	Duke of Lorraine 1544–1545	Charles III

personal data
SURNAME	Franz I.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Duke of Lorraine
DATE OF BIRTH	August 23, 1517
PLACE OF BIRTH	Nancy
DATE OF DEATH	June 12, 1545
Place of death	Remiremont