Charles III

duke of Lorraine [1604–1675]
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Also known as: Charles IV
Quick Facts
Born:
April 5, 1604, Nancy, Lorraine [Germany; now in France]
Died:
September 18, 1675, Allenbach, near Trier [Germany] (aged 71)

Charles III (or IV) (born April 5, 1604, Nancy, Lorraine [Germany; now in France]—died September 18, 1675, Allenbach, near Trier [Germany]) was the duke of Lorraine whose resentment against encroaching French power led to a lifelong fight against France. Charles was the son of Francis, brother of Duke Henry II of Lorraine. Charles married Henry’s daughter Nicole and became duke consort in 1624 when Henry died. Francis abolished female succession in 1625 and was proclaimed duke, but he abdicated in Charles III’s favour. By 1627 Charles had become involved in an English coalition against France, and in 1631 he was ...(100 of 260 words)