The Children of Adam and Eve

Henry II (of France) (1519-59), king of France (1547-59), second son of
King Francis I, born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. He married the Florentine
noblewoman Catherine de M?cis in 1533, and when his father died in 1547,
Henry succeeded to the throne. During his reign he was much influenced by
his mistress, Diane de Poitiers (1499-1566), duchesse de Valentinois, and
by Duc Anne de Montmorency, constable of France (1493-1567). An ardent
Roman Catholic, Henry persecuted the Protestants (Huguenots) in the later
years of his reign. He continued the war waged by his father against Holy
Roman Emperor Charles V, seizing from him the Bishoprics of Metz, Toul,
and Verdun in 1552. Engaging in war with England in 1557-58, Henry won
back Calais, the last English possession in France. From 1556
to 1559 he was involved in a war with Charles V's son, Philip II of Spain,
notable mainly for the Spanish victory at Saint Quentin, Picardy (1557).
Peace with Spain and England was restored by the Treaty of
Cateau-Cambresis (1559), by which Henry agreed to give up France's
possessions in Italy. He was succeeded by his son, Francis II.