Henry III (1574-1589). Gold Ecu d'or au soleil, 1578-K (3.3g). Bordeaux mint. Crowned arms of France. Rev. Lobed floriated cross (Fr 386; Dup 1121A). In PCGS holder graded AU Details (Cleaned). Value $1,000 - UP
Although he initially reigned as the elected King of Poland-Lithuania (1573-1575), Henri III returned to France in 1574 to succeed his brother Charles IX as King of France. His reign was troubled by the continuing French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) in which Catholic and Protestant foreign powers stoked civil war between religious factions within France. Spain and the Papal States (together part of a Catholic League) supported the Catholic faction against the Huguenot party backed by English and Dutch Protestants. Meanwhile, a third front in the conflict was opened by the Malcontents, a combined Catholic and Protestant party dedicating to curbing the king's increasing absolutist tendencies. A major war broke out in 1587 over the possibility that the Protestant Henri of Navarre would succeed the childless Henri III as King of France. This became known as the War of the Three Henris (1587-1588) because it not only involved Henri III and Henri of Navarre, but also Henri of Guise, the leader of the Catholic League forces who used his military successes to drive Henri III out of Paris. The number of Henris spoiling France was gradually reduced as the conflict dragged on. Henri of Guise was murdered by royal agents in 1588 and in the following year Henri III was himself assassinated. This left only Henri of Navarre still standing and ready to succeed as king-the very prospect that had ignited the war in the first place!