Unexpected Heirs in Early Modern Europe by Valerie Schutte

Author:Valerie Schutte
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

A King’s Brother: Glory, Rivalry, and Loyalty

Only fifteen months separated Charles IX of France and his brother Henry. This section offers insight into their relationship, as no scholarly work devoted to their relationship exists. In 1569, Henry was appointed General Lieutenant of the Realm, becoming second-in-charge of military affairs. Henry took his responsibilities very seriously, but at times his military leadership did overshadow his brother’s rule. In any case, he remained loyal to his brother. In a letter sent in May 1573, Henry demonstrated his loyalty to Charles and stated that he wanted “to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives” in service of his brother and thanked him for honoring him. He insisted that in response he would “kiss very humbly your feet and hands and will kiss them when I have this honour to see you.” 13 He signed all the letters he sent to his brother, “your very humble and very obedient brother and subject, Henry.” 14

Despite this obedient and loyal attitude, Henry often positioned himself as the one in charge—promoting his glory inside and outside the borders of his realm and creating some sibling rivalry. In 1568, he wrote to the Governors of the Provinces stating the importance of the recent edict of pacification. 15 In another letter, Henry wrote: “the king and myself [are] authorised to implement more taxes to ensure the defence of the bridge.” 16 In both cases, he connected himself to his brother’s authority, revealing the importance of his status as General Lieutenant and as the next legitimate heir to the throne. Henry also imposed his role and authority outside the borders of France . For instance, when, in September 1568, Charles IX decided to send a special envoy to the Spanish court, he agreed with his brother Henry on the identity of the diplomat. Furthermore, Henry decided to write directly to Philip II of Spain , explaining, “the King and the Queen are sending you the lord of Lignerolles, who is mine.” 17 He went on to say that he was the one commanding Lignerolles. 18 A month later, Henry wrote again to the Spanish king, revealing his devotion to him and asserting, “you will never have a servant nor a kinsman who desires more to humbly serve you than I do.” 19 At the death of his sister in October 1568, Elisabeth of Valois , queen consort of Spain , Henry wrote to Philip expressing his grief and claiming that he would obey him willingly. 20 In direct correspondence with the Spanish king, Henry positioned himself as true heir to his brother, Charles IX of France . Furthermore, while insisting on the importance of his role in the French realm, he also used the rhetoric of obedience to Philip and signed all his letters to him as “your humble and obedient brother, Henry.” 21 The fact that he signed “your brother” is not surprising, as monarchs used familial rhetoric when writing to one another. 22 However, the adjectives preceding echo greatly

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