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Francis II of France. Photo By François Clouet –

10 Facts about Francis II of France’s Death

Francis II was the first of three heirs of King Henry II, the Prisoner Prince. He was born in 1544, eleven years after his father’s marriage to the Italian noblewoman Catherine de Medici. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Francis I.

When Francis I died, Francis II was proclaimed the heir apparent to the throne at just three years old. King Henry II then arranged Francis’ marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots. This union proved beneficial because the future Kings of France would earn Scotland and claim to England. In 1548, Henry signed the Chatillon agreement, and Mary moved from Scotland to be raised at the French court awaiting her marriage.

When Francis II came of age, he fulfilled his father’s betrothal agreement and wedded Mary in 1558. After officiating their marriage, he was crowned the King Consort of Scotland. Not long after his matrimony, Francis’s father passed away, and he took over France as its King.

The reign of Francis II was short-lived. Seventeen months after he had been crowned King, he passed on from an unknown cause. His unfortunate demise left France in the hands of his 10-year-old brother and mother. The remains of Francis II are buried in Basilica of Saint-Denis.

Want to visit Basilica of Saint-Denis, read more on its royal crypt and other details on what to expect here.

1. Francis II Was In Fragile Health At The Time Of His Accession To The Throne

Henry II, here standing on an oriental carpet/ Photo By François Clouet –

In 1559, Henry II was involved in an accident and unfortunately lost his life. At 15 years, Francis II was crowned King. In the governing laws of France, Francis was mature enough to sit on the throne, but his ill health and inexperience forced him to delegate its leadership.

Francis de Lorraine II, a politician, and Charles, a French Cardinal, were entrusted with the Kingdom. The two Guise brothers had already been in government during the reign of Henry II and were part of critical French negotiations.

2. Francis II Collapsed Nearly A Month Before His Death

Francis II had been a sickly child from a very young age. It was said he struggled with breathing and always used his mouth to do so instead of his nose. In addition to this, a discharge with a foul smell often came from his nose.

Francis II was often seen as the least playful among his peers. He appeared physically pale, making it seem that he had other underlying medical issues. On 16^th November 1560, he passed out. When he came to, he had a high fever and complained of extreme pain in his ear.

Over a few days, Francis’ health had drastically improved. He got ill again on 2^nd December and fell into a coma. Three days later, he was announced dead.

3. The Passing of Francis II Was Untimely

Francis was a young boy at the time of his passing. Despite being a child of ill health, it was unforeseen that he would die at his age. Francis II, married to Stuart for almost two years, died in Orleans, north-central France.

4. It Was Believed His Death Was A Form Of Religious Vengeance

The Kingdom was distressed at the time of King Henry II’s passing. France was in deep dept, and religious violence was steadily increasing. Henry II’s efforts on religious policies were futile, and Calvinism steadily increased.

During Francis’ reign, Catholics and Protestants were still at odds and tension between the two religions was rising. It is no surprise that the citizens of France thought a protestant had poisoned their King.

5. His Cause Of Death Is Unknown

Despite suffering from illnesses earlier in his life, the cause of Francis’ death is still, to date, yet to be determined. Though some reports say it was due to an ear condition, it was rumoured that he had an inflammation in his ear that later developed into an abscess.

Others implied that the King suffered an air cell infection in his skull, while some insinuated that he had meningitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

6. Medics Suggested To Drill A Hole Through His Skull Before His Passing

Detail from The Extraction of the Stone of Madness, a painting by Hieronymus Bosch depicting trepanation. Photo By Hieronymus Bosch –

The barber-surgeon of France, Ambroise Pare, had contemplated surgical skull drilling on King Francis II. Pare had been a medical practitioner from the reign of King Henry II and proceeded through the three terms of all of Henry’s heirs. He specialized in treating injured soldiers during and after a battle, and trepanation was a standard procedure in his practice.

Unfortunately, Ambroise did not undertake the surgery on Francis. Perhaps the procedure would have aided in putting an end to the numerous speculations on the King’s death. Since it involves the treatment of intracranial diseases, the probability of it ruling out false causes or even concluding a different explanation would have been very high.

7. He Had No Heir By The Time Of His Death

The king and his spouse Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (painted around 1558). Photo By François Clouet –

When Francis II wedded Mary, she was just 15 years old. She had been living in the Court of France for nearly ten years in preparation for her marriage to Francis. Many said she was more well-spoken and mature for her age. The two held their matrimonial ceremony in Â鶹APP, and as anyone would expect, the marriage was to bear the future royals of France.

It is rumoured that the couple did not consummate their marriage because Francis was enduring physical and psychological problems. Since he had been sick from a young age and no heir had been conceived by the time of his passing, it was assumed he did not fulfil his marital duties.

8. Francis II’s Mother Became Regent Of France After His Death

Since Francis II had not borne an heir, the Kingdom was left under the leadership of his young brother, Charles IX. Charles was ten years when he was crowned the King of France. Because of his young age, his mother was appointed governor by the Council. She was her son’s regent from 1560 to 1563. She, however, continued to be his principal advisor until his death.

9. The Wife To Francis II Moved Back To Her Home Country After His Death

When Charles IX was named King and Catherine, the regent, the leadership of Stuart’s uncles seized immediately. The Guises brothers had been entrusted with running France since Francis II was inexperienced and had medical problems.

When the new King took over, Stuart and her family had no ties left with France. She departed for Scotland nine months later, arriving in 1561.

Read more amazing facts about Charles IX of France here.

10. Francis II Was Buried Twice

The violation of the royal tombs in 1793. Photo By Hubert Robert –

Francis was laid to rest three weeks after his death. He was buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, together with other previous Kings of France (from the 10^th – 19^th century).

In 1793, the National Government ordered the revolutionary vandalism and destruction of all the royal tombs including Francis II’s. It was lotted, forcing his remains to be re-buried in a mass grave outside the Basilica.

To find out more interesting facts about Francis II of France read here.