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Henry II, Duke of Lorraine

Nancy, 8 Nov 1563 – Nancy, 31 Jul 1624

9 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born8 Nov 1563, Nancynot verified1 source
  • TitleGrand Chamberlain of Francenot verified1 source
  • Died31 Jul 1624, Nancynot verified1 source
  • FatherCharles III, Duke of Lorrainenot verified1 source
  • MotherClaude of Valoisnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 8 Nov 1563

    Born in Nancy

  2. 6 Oct 1612

    A daughter is born

  3. 31 Jul 1624

    Dies in Nancy, aged 60

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partners

Children · 1

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Nancy.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1560s · Henry is born in Nancy

In the news1562–1598

French Wars of Religion begin

The French Wars of Religion broke out in 1562, leading to immense loss of life through violence, famine, and disease that lasted until 1598.

At the table

Wine was preferred over water

Because water was considered unhealthy, most people drank fermented beverages like wine, which was often diluted with water. Women were expected to drink less alcohol than men, and their consumption of wine was sometimes cut heavily with water to prevent intoxication.

What people wore

Wine seller's attire in 1586

A 16th-century French wine seller wore a red-trimmed felt hat and a loose jacket gathered at the waist by a leather belt with a hanging money bag.

Getting around

Royal travel took weeks to complete

A royal court journey from Paris to Chambord could take three weeks because the procession included thousands of people, animals, and entire households.

What it cost

Cost of shoes

The cost of shoemaking, specifically a pair of shoes, ranged from 0.6 to 1.34 sols tournois during the 16th century.

Music

Instruments classified by volume

In the 16th century, instruments were classified by volume: loud instruments like oboes, trumpets, and sackbuts were for outdoor festivals, while quiet instruments like lutes, viols, and spinets were for intimate indoor use.

Daily life

Segregated elementary schooling

While private tutors served noble families, elementary schools for others were church-run and segregated by gender; a 1554 decree specifically prohibited boys and girls from studying together.