Historical Figures

Gaspard II of Coligny (1519 – 1572)

Son of a Marshal of François I, Gaspard is also the nephew of the Constable de Montmorency. Having received a humanist and enlightened education, he decided to pursue a military career and was named Admiral of France in 1552. At first very moderate in his adherence to the Reformation, he became one of the leaders of the Protestant camp and participated actively in the first religious wars. Returning to the court of Charles IX, he tries to involve the king in the conflict of Flanders against Spain. Shortly after the marriage of Henri de Navarre and Marguerite de Valois, he was the victim of a first assassination attempt. King Charles IX comes to his bedside to promise him justice. But on the evening of August 23, Coligny was finished off with daggers, his body was defenestrated before being transported to the gibbet of Montfaucon.


Previous Post