M4 L3: Catherine De Medici and Her Sons – Francis II & Charles IX

Henry II died, and his sons were too young to take the throne.

Their mother, Catherine de Medici, became Regent on their behalf. She was manipulated by both the Guises and the Protestant nobility. She made decisions which were at first detrimental to the Protestants. 

Her minor son, Francis II died after one year on the throne.

Charles IX became king at 9 years old with Catherine as regent. 

Catherine tried to right some long-standing wrongs against the Protestants. As a result, the Guises triggered the Wars of Religion which just got worse until Henry III of Navarre became Henry IV of France.