Biography of King Francis I of France 1494-1547

Paternal Family Tree: Capet

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Silesia

1514 Death of Anne Duchess of Brittany

1515 Louis XII King France succeeded by Francis I

1525 Battle of Pavia

1526 Creation of Garter Knights

1532 Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Visit France

1547 Death of King Francis I of France Accession of Henry II

On 16 Feb 1488 [his father] Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême (age 29) and [his mother] Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême (age 11) were married. She by marriage Countess Angoulême. She the daughter of Philip "Landless" Savoy II Duke Savoy (age 50) and Margaret Bourbon. They were third cousin once removed.

On 12 Sep 1494 King Francis I of France was born to Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême (age 35) and Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême (age 18). Coefficient of inbreeding 2.02%.

On 01 Jan 1496 [his father] Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême (age 37) died.

Death of Anne Duchess of Brittany

On 09 Jan 1514 Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France (age 36) died. She the last of the de Montfort family to hold the title (the Montfort family is a scion the Capet family; her father was descended from Louis VII King Franks. [his future wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 14) succeeded I Duchess Brittany. Claude (age 14) and King Francis I of France (age 19) married after which the Duchy of Brittany and the Crown of France were combined.

On 18 May 1514 King Francis I of France (age 19) and Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 14) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Louis XII King France (age 51) and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France (age 37). He the son of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême and Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême (age 37). They were second cousins.

In 1515 Giuliano Medici Duke Nemours (age 35) was created 1st Duke Nemours by King Francis I of France (age 20). Giuliano had married into the Savoy family that had previously held the title.

Louis XII King France succeeded by Francis I

On 01 Jan 1515 [his father-in-law] Louis XII King France (age 52) died. His first cousin once removed King Francis I of France (age 20) succeeded I King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.

On 19 Aug 1515 [his daughter] Louise Valois was born to King Francis I of France (age 20) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 15). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 23 Oct 1516 [his daughter] Charlotte Valois was born to King Francis I of France (age 22) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 17). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 12 Sep 1517 [his daughter] Louise Valois (age 2) died.

On 28 Feb 1518 [his son] Francis Valois was born to King Francis I of France (age 23) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 18). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 16 Jul 1518 Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal (age 49) and [his future wife] Eleanor of Austria Queen Consort France Queen Consort Portugal (age 19) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. The difference in their ages was 29 years. She the daughter of Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile and Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile (age 39). They were first cousin twice removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 31 Mar 1519 [his son] King Henry II of France was born to King Francis I of France (age 24) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 19). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 10 Aug 1520 [his daughter] Madeleine Valois was born to King Francis I of France (age 25) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 20). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 22 Jan 1522 [his son] Charles Valois was born to King Francis I of France (age 27) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 22). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 05 Jun 1523 [his daughter] Margaret Valois Duchess Berry and Savoy was born to King Francis I of France (age 28) and [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 23). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.50%.

On 20 Jul 1524 [his wife] Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 24) died.

On 08 Sep 1524 [his daughter] Charlotte Valois (age 7) died.

Battle of Pavia

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1520-1529. 09 Mar 1525. This yeare, the 9th day of Marche,c tidinges were brought to the Kinge (age 33) that Francis (age 30), the French King, was taken prisoner before the cittie Pavie, in Italie, by the Duke of Burbon (age 35), capteyn of the Emperoures (age 25) hoste,d and 14,000 French men slayne at the same feild.

And the Archbishop of Yorke (age 52), cardinall and legatt de latere, songe masse the same tyme in Paules churche [Map], in his "pontificalibus,"e and 11 bishopps and abbotts, with their miters, beinge present, the Duke of Northfolke (age 52) and the Duke of Suffolke (age 41), with all the nobles of the realme. And the saide Cardinall (age 52) grawnted the same to all manner of persons, beinge within the precinct of the churche in the tyme of the masse, plenary remission of their synnes, à pœná et culpá; and, after masse, Te Deum was sunge for the sayde victorie,a the Major,b Aldermen, with the head craftes of the cittie standinge in the bodie of the churche in theyr liveries; and that night great fiers were made in divers places of the cittie, with vessells of wyne at everie fier for the people to drincke.

Note c. Francis I was made prisoner on the 24th February.

Note d. Charles Duke of Bourbon (age 35), Constable of France, being persecuted by Francis I for refusing to marry [his mother] Louisa of Savoy (age 48), the French King's (age 30) mother, sought the protection of the Emperor Charles V (age 25) by whom he was appointed his lieutenant in Italy.

Note e. After Wolsey (age 52) had been invested by Pope Leo X with the sole legatine power in England, he was wont to say mass on state occasions after the manner of the Pope himself.

Note a. The victory gained by the Imperialists over the French before Pavia so changed the aspect of affairs on the continent that Henry at first entertained a project forinvading France, and asserting his claim to that crown.

Note b. Sir John Allen.

1526 Creation of Garter Knights

In 1526, probably around St George's Day, 23 Apr 1526, King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 34) created four new Knights of the Garter:

289th. William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy (age 48).

290th. William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton (age 36).

291st. Henry Guildford (age 37).

292nd. King Francis I of France (age 31).

In Apr 1528 Ercole Este II Duke Ferrara (age 19) and [his former sister-in-law] Renée of France Duchess of Ferrara (age 17) were married. She the daughter of Louis XII King France and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France (age 51).

Letters and Papers 1529. 01 Dec 1529 R. O. St. P. VII. 219. 6073. Embassy to France.

Instructions to George Boleyn (age 26), gentleman of the Privy Chamber, and John Stokesley, D.D. (age 54), sent to the French king (age 35).

On their arrival at the French court they shall confer with Sir Francis Brian on the repair of Albany into Scotland, to interrupt the alliance between Scotland and the Emperor; on which subject, though Brian has been continually solicitous, the King has received from him no direct answer. They shall tell Francis that Brian is recalled to look after his own causes, and they are sent in his place; and they shall say that, considering the inconvenience like to ensue to France by the proposed alliance, the King has been anxious to learn what chance there might be of good effect by Albany's passing into Scotland, and they shall desire a consultation to be held with the Duke on the subject, guarding themselves from the supposition that the King wishes for it upon any other grounds than the benefit of France. If it be resolved on, it must be kept as secret as possible, taking care it does not come to the knowledge of the French king.

They shall also advise upon the question of a General Council, which is to be by them mutually prevented, considering the influence the Emperor has over the Pope. Upon the King's great matter they shall say, the King has sent Stokesly (age 54), who shall declare his opinion and that of other learned men, and shall say that, as De Langy at his late being here had said that divers in those parts were of similar opinion, he had special charge to consult them, and he shall do his best to obtain opinions favorable to the King. They shall also desire the French king to allow them to see the originals of the treaties and conventions made at Cambray, as copies only have reached England, sent to the French ambassadors here, containing many contradictions; and the same secresy has been observed in the court of the lady Margaret. Signed by the King at beginning and end.

On 04 Jul 1530 King Francis I of France (age 35) and Eleanor of Austria Queen Consort France Queen Consort Portugal (age 31) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile and Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile (age 51). He the son of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême and Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême (age 53). They were second cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 22 Sep 1531 [his mother] Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême (age 55) died.

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Visit France

On 11 Nov 1532 Henry VIII (age 41) and Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 31) met with King Francis I of France (age 38) at Calais [Map]. Henry Howard (age 16) was present.

Those listed as travelling with Henry and Anne include:

Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 40) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 37).

William Stafford (age 24); this may have been when he first met Mary Boleyn (age 33).

Mary Boleyn (age 33)

On 28 Oct 1533 [his son] King Henry II of France (age 14) and [his daughter-in-law] Catherine Medici Queen Consort France (age 14) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. He the son of King Francis I of France (age 39) and Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France.

On 10 Aug 1536 [his son] Francis Valois (age 18) died.

On 01 Jan 1537 [his son-in-law] King James V of Scotland (age 24) and [his daughter] Madeleine Valois (age 16) were married at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral [Map]. She the daughter of King Francis I of France (age 42) and Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France. He the son of King James IV of Scotland and Margaret Tudor Queen Scotland (age 47). They were third cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 02 Jul 1537 [his daughter] Madeleine Valois (age 16) died.

On 09 Sep 1545 [his son] Charles Valois (age 23) died.

Death of King Francis I of France Accession of Henry II

On 31 Mar 1547 King Francis I of France (age 52) died. His son [his son] King Henry II of France (age 28) succeeded II King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1547. The fourth daie of Aprill, 1547, tidinges was brought to London Death of the that Frances the French King (deceased) was deade, and died the first daie of April last, and it was said that he neaver rejoyced synce he had heard of the Kinges Majesties death.

On 25 Feb 1558 [his former wife] Eleanor of Austria Queen Consort France Queen Consort Portugal (age 59) died.

King Francis I of France 1494-1547 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King John "The Good" II of France 1319-1364

Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 1315-1349

Royal Ancestors of King Francis I of France 1494-1547

Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of Malcolm III King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 5 Grand Son of Philip "Bold" III King France

Royal Descendants of King Francis I of France 1494-1547

King Henry II of France x 1

Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia x 1

Victor Amadeus King Sardinia x 1

Ancestors of King Francis I of France 1494-1547

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Charles V of France 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John I of Bohemia 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia

Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis Valois Duke Touraine I Duke Orléans 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Bourbon I Duke Bourbon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Hainault Duchess Bourbon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mahaut Chatillon Countess Valois Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

GrandFather: John Valois Orléans 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephano Visconti

Great x 3 Grandfather: Galeazzo II Visconti

Great x 4 Grandmother: Valentina Doria

Great x 2 Grandfather: Gian Galeazzo Visconti 1st Duke Milan

Great x 4 Grandfather: Aymon "Peaceful" Savoy Count Savoy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bianca Savoy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Yolande Palaeologina Countess Savoy

Great x 1 Grandmother: Valentina Visconti 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabelle Valois 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John I of Bohemia 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia

Father: Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

GrandMother: Marguerite Rohan

King Francis I of France 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Amadeus "Red Count" Savoy VII Count Savoy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonne Bourbon Countess Savoy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy VIII Count Savoy 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Valois 1st Duke Berry 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bonne Valois Countess Armagnac and Savoy 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joanne Armagnac Duchess Berry

Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis Savoy I Count Savoy 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Valois Countess Savoy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Dampierre III Count Nevers II Count Flanders 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Dampierre Duchess Burgundy 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brabant Countess Nevers and Flanders Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

GrandFather: Philip "Landless" Savoy II Duke Savoy 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Janus of Cyprus

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Cyprus Countess Savoy

Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephano Visconti

Great x 3 Grandfather: Bernabò Visconti

Great x 4 Grandmother: Valentina Doria

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anglesia Visconti

Great x 4 Grandfather: Mastino II della Scala

Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Regina della Scala

Great x 4 Grandmother: Taddea da Carrara

Mother: Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Louis Bourbon II Duke Bourbon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Bourbon I Duke Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Beraud II Auvergne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Auvergne Duchess Bourbon

Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Bourbon I Duke Bourbon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Valois 1st Duke Berry 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Marie Valois I Duchess Auverge 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John I Count Armagnac

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joanne Armagnac Duchess Berry

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Clermont Countess Armagnac

GrandMother: Margaret Bourbon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John "Fearless" Valois Duke Burgundy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Dampierre III Count Nevers II Count Flanders 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Dampierre Duchess Burgundy 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brabant Countess Nevers and Flanders Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Valois Duchess Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Wittelsbach IV Holy Roman Emperor 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Albert Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Hainault Holy Roman Empress 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Wittelsbach Duchess Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Silesia