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Another Spare to the French Crown: Henry III of France’s Self-Representation, Reputation, and Royal Authority

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Unexpected Heirs in Early Modern Europe

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on Henry’s speeches and seeks to determine how he projected his royal authority through speeches into the public sphere. In doing so, this chapter demonstrates that—although the last Valois was not expected to be king of France and despite his detractors—Henry III endeavored to be a just and strong king. In the midst of all of this drama, Henry’s own words—delivered through his speeches—have been overlooked. In focusing on Henry’s speeches, this chapter bridges an important gap in the existent historiography and demonstrates that the last “spare” to the French crown was not necessarily the failure he was portrayed as being.

My lord, I am upset to know that you have been sick for so long. I would like to be able to give you something to please you and to be near you to entertain you. My lord, I am still studying well in order to serve you when I become an adult. I am recommending myself to your good grace. I pray to God that you recover soon. Your very humble and very obedient brother, Alexandre de France. 1

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  1. London, UK

    Estelle Paranque

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  1. Estelle Paranque
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  1. Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA

    Valerie Schutte

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Paranque, E. (2017). Another Spare to the French Crown: Henry III of France’s Self-Representation, Reputation, and Royal Authority. In: Schutte, V. (eds) Unexpected Heirs in Early Modern Europe. Queenship and Power. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55294-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55294-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-55293-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-55294-1

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