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Charles III
KarlIILothringen
Charles III, copper engraving by Dominicus Custos, 1600/02
Duke of Lorraine
Personal details
Born (1543-02-18)February 18, 1543
Ducal Palace of Nancy
Died 14 May 1608(1608-05-14) (aged 66)
Spouse(s) Claude of France

Charles III (18 February 1543 – May 14, 1608), known as the Great,[1] was Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death.

History[]

He was the eldest surviving son of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine,[1] and Christina of Denmark. His mother served as the regent during his minority.

During his childhood, his aged great-grandmother, Philippa of Gelderland, died in 1547, leaving her inheritance to the young Charles.

His dynasty claimed the Kingdom of Jerusalem and used also the title of Duke of Calabria as symbol of their claims to the Kingdom of Naples. Additionally, they had a claim to the Duchy of Gelderland, inherited from Charles of Egmont, Duke of Gelderland.

Family[]

Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, by studio of François Clouet

Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, studio of François Clouet, oil on panel, 32.3 x 23 cm

He married Claude of Valois, princess of France, daughter of king Henry II and Catherine de' Medici. He had the following children:

  • Henry II, Duke of Lorraine (1563–1624) married Margerita Gonzaga
  • Christine (1565–1637), married Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
  • Charles (1567–1607), Cardinal of Lorraine and Bishop of Metz (1578–1607), Bishop of Strasbourg (1604–1607)
  • Antoinette (1568–1610), married John William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg.
  • Anne (1569–1576)
  • Francis II, Duke of Lorraine (1572–1632) married Christina of Salm
  • Catherine (1573 † 1648), Abess de Remiremont
  • Elisabeth Renata (1574–1635), married Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria
  • Claude, 1575-1576.

Ancestors[]

Charles III's ancestors in three generations
Charles III, Duke of Lorraine Father:
Francis I, Duke of Lorraine
Paternal Grandfather:
Antoine, Duke of Lorraine
Paternal Great-grandfather:
René II, Duke of Lorraine
Paternal Great-grandmother:
Phillipa of Guelders
Paternal Grandmother:
Renée of Bourbon-Montpensier
Paternal Great-grandfather:
Gilbert, Count of Montpensier
Paternal Great-grandmother:
Chiara Gonzaga
Mother:
Christina of Denmark
Maternal Grandfather:
Christian II of Denmark
Maternal Great-grandfather:
John of Denmark
Maternal Great-grandmother:
Christina of Saxony
Maternal Grandmother:
Isabella of Austria
Maternal Great-grandfather:
Philip I of Castile
Maternal Great-grandmother:
Joanna of Castile

See also[]

  • Dukes of Lorraine family tree

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Wikisource-logo Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911) "Charles III. or II. (Duke of Lorraine)" Encyclopædia Britannica 5 (11th ed.) Cambridge University Press p. 934 
Preceded by
Francis I
Duke of Lorraine and Bar
Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson

1545-1608
Succeeded by
Henry II
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