By When François I died, his only surviving son became Henri II of France.
When Henri II died, he had four surviving sons, three of whom succeeded him to the throne of France.
The eldest, became King François II at the age of fifteen and died without heirs the following year. François II’s brother Charles succeeded him.
Charles IX ruled from the age of ten until his death at the age of 24.
Charles IX had a daughter but due to the “Salic Law”, she was ineligible to inherit the throne.
Next in line was Henri II’s third son. He had been called Alexandre Edouard after his two godfathers (Cardinal Alexander Farnese and King Edward VI of England). When he was confirmed at the age of thirteen, he had chosen to take his father’s name and was from then on known as Henri.
As Henri III, he was King of France until he was assassinated fifteen years later. He had no children.
It was the end of the Valois dynasty which had ruled France for more than two centuries.
Next in line to the throne of France was Henri III, King of Navarre. He became the first Bourbon King of France.
