Francis I, Duke of Lorraine

Francis I (23 August 1517 – 12 June 1545) was Duke of Lorraine from 1544–1545.

History Born in Nancy, Francis was the eldest son of Antoine, Duke of Lorraine and Renée de Bourbon, daughter of Gilbert de Bourbon, Count of Montpensier. He was briefly engaged in the mid-1530s to Anne of Cleves, who in 1540 would become the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England. Their betrothal would be used by Henry to break his marriage to Anne after six short months.

On 10 July 1541, Francis married Christina of Denmark in Brussels. Christina was a daughter of King Christian II and Isabella of Austria. Francis died at Remiremont in 1545, leaving Duchess Christina as the regent of Lorraine and as the guardian of their young children.

Children By Christina of Denmark (c.1521 – 1590; married in 1541) NameBirthDeathNotesCharles 15431608married Claude of Valois and had issue.Renata 15441602 married William V, Duke of Bavaria and had issue.Dorothea 15451621married in 1575, Eric II, Duke of Calenberg