Francis II of France - Becoming King

Becoming King

On July 10, 1559, Francis became king of France, succeeding his father, Henry II, King of France, who had died from a jousting accident. He was then 15 years old but according to the law was considered adult and in theory did not need a regency government. But being young, inexperienced and of fragile health, he delegated his power to his wife's uncles, from the House of Guise. This delegation of power was done in agreement with his mother, the queen Catherine de' Medici. On the first day of his reign, Francis II directed his four ministers to take orders from his mother, but being still affected by the loss of her husband she directed them to the House of Guise.

The two oldest brothers of this old noble family already had major roles during Henry II reign: Francis, Duke of Guise was one of the most famous military commanders in the royal army and Charles, Cardinal of Lorraine was part of the most important negotiations and matters of the kingdom. After the young king's accession to the throne, the two brothers split among themselves the custody of the kingdom: the Duke of Guise became head of the army and the Cardinal of Lorraine head of finance, justice and diplomacy.

The House of Guise's accession to power was to the detriment of its old rival, the constable Anne de Montmorency. Following the new king's suggestion, he left the royal court for his rich properties to get some rest. Diane de Poitiers, another favourite of the previous king, was also asked not to appear at court; her protégé Jean Bertrand had to surrender his title, Keeper of the Seals of France, to chancellor François Olivier, whom Diane had removed from this position a few years earlier. It was a palace revolution. The Guises were now the new masters of the court. The king granted them numerous favours and privileges, one of the most significant being the title of Grand Master of France to the Duke of Guise, a title until then held by the son of the constable, François de Montmorency.

On September 21, 1559, Francis II was consecrated king in Reims by the Cardinal of Lorraine. The court then went to the Loire Valley, where the château de Blois and the surrounding forests were the new king's home. Francis II took for emblem a sun and as motto Spectanda fides (This is how faith should be respected) and Lumen rectis (Light for the righteous).