Francis Guise Biography

Alencon is captured in battle

Released by Bedford after his capture at Verneuil

Commands the French forces against the English

Enters the city of Orleans

The whole of Alencons army arrives within the city of Orleans

Birth of Francis II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Duke of Aumale

Created Duc de Guise

Marries Anne dEste, daughter of the Duke of Ferrara and his French princess, a daughter of Louis XII

Francis of Guise marries Anne d Este and strengthens Italian dynastic links

Francis succeeds Claude as Duke of Guise

Francis of Guise is made Grand Chamberlain of France

Successfully defends Metz from the forces of Emperor Charles V

Defends the city of Metz from the forces of Emperor Charles V

Francis of Guise organizes the defence of Metz against imperial forces

Imperial siege of Metz fails and Guise's military reputation grows

Defeats the Imperial troops again at the Battle of Renty

Birth of Francis of Alencon, youngest son of Catherine de Medici

Francis of Guise fights in the French victory at Renty

Leads an army into Italy to aid Pope Paul IV (and further his familys pretensions to the Angevin inheritance), but is recalled to France and made Lieutenant General of France after victory the Battle of St. Quentin

Leads an army into Italy to aid Pope Paul IV (and further his familys pretensions to the Angevin inheritance), but is recalled to France and made Lieutenant General of France after victory the Battle of St. Quentin

Henry II appoints Guise lieutenant general to defend the kingdom

Guise is recalled from Italy after the French defeat at Saint Quentin

Begins the siege that leads to the French capture of Calais

Guise opens the winter campaign against Calais

Guise captures Fort Nieulay during the Calais campaign

Guise captures Risbank and isolates Calais harbour

Guise captures key defences protecting Calais harbour

Guise captures Calais from England after a rapid winter campaign

Helps capture Calais from the English

Guise captures Calais from the English during the Italian War

Captures Calais from the English in a major French victory

Guise captures Calais from the English

Guise captures Guisnes after the fall of Calais

French forces capture Arlon during the wider war against the Habsburgs

French forces capture Thionville during the campaign against Habsburg positions

French operations continue against Habsburg strongholds after Calais

Guise's forces besiege Thionville during the 1558 campaign

Francis of Guise gains influence under the young Francis II

Guise helps suppress the Amboise conspiracy against royal government

Guise helps suppress the Amboise conspiracy against the royal government

Guise influence declines after the death of Francis II

Guise returns to political prominence amid the religious crisis

Guise joins Montmorency and Saint Andre in a Catholic triumvirate

Guise forms a Catholic triumvirate with Montmorency and Saint Andre

The Catholic triumvirate organizes opposition to concessions for French Protestants

Guise and Catholic allies secure Paris against Protestant forces

Guise's followers attack a Protestant congregation and ignite the first war of religion

Guise's retainers attack a Huguenot congregation and trigger open war

Guise helps organize Catholic forces against the Huguenots

As Guise passes through Wassy-sur-Blaise on his way to Paris a massacre of Protestants takes place kindling open military conflict in the French Wars of Religion

Guise helps bring Bourges back under Catholic royal control

The siege of Bourges is the opening episode, the French Wars of Religion

Rouen is retaken from the Protestants by Guise after a months siege

Rouen is retaken from the Protestants by Guise after a months siege

Guise helps retake Rouen from Protestant control

Guise helps recover Rouen from Protestant control

Guise emerges as the leading Catholic commander after Dreux

Guise plays a leading Catholic role at the Battle of Dreux

Guise besieges Orleans during the first French War of Religion

Guise is shot by Jean de Poltrot during operations near Orleans

Guise is shot by Jean de Poltrot during the siege of Orleans

Francis of Guise dies from wounds received near Orleans

Francis of Guise dies from wounds received outside Orleans

Negotiations begin for Alencons marriage to Elizabeth I

Created Duke of Anjou

Negotiations begin for a 2nd time for Alencons marriage to Elizabeth I