Münze Frankreich

Second son of Francis I and Claude of France, Henry II became heir to the throne when its older brother died in 1536. He received the titles of Dauphin of France and Duke of Britanny.

Henry II continued the political and artistic work of his father. He pursued the Italian wars, focusing his attention on the Empire of Charles V which he managed to defeat. Henry II maintained the strength of France but his reign ended with unfavorable events such as the defeat of Saint-Quentin (1557) and the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis which puts an end to the Italian dream.