On August 1, 1589, King Henri III of France was stabbed by Jacques Clement, a Dominican friar. He died the following morning of his injuries. Henri was the last French king from the House of Valois, and as he had no children, was succeeded by King Henri III of Navarre, who became King Henri IV of France, establishing the House of Bourbon on the French throne.
Henri was born September 19, 1551 at the Chateau de Fountainebleau, the fourth son of King Henri II of France and Catherine de' Medici. Two of his elder brothers reigned as French kings -- Francois II and Charles IX. Henri was created Duke of Angouleme and Duke of Orleans in 1560, and Duke of Anjou in 1566.
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