Charles X & II

### Romantic Interests

Henri Cesar de Montmorency, Duc de MontmorencyCharles de Lorraine de Guise de Mayenne, Duc d'Aiguillon

François de Lorraine de Guise, Prince de Château-Renault

### Siblings

François Henri, Duc de BourgogneLouise Victoire, Reine d'Espagne

Philippe Maximilien, Duc d'Orléans †

Catherine Marguerite, Duchesse de Savoia

Élisabeth Amélie, Électrice de Bavière

### Religion

Roman Catholic

**Charles X & II** (17th January 1609 - 2 September 1638) was a Grandelumièrian sovereign starting in the year 1617, succeeding his father François III & II following his death, the beginning of his reign often marked with the domination of court by the House of Guise, the Regency council of 1617 consisting of "*the Five*", being the Henri de Guise, Louis II de Guise, Archevêque de Reims, Charles de Guise-Aumale, Charles de Gondi & Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie. This defining feature marked the beginning of Charles' reign and was a significant factor to his growing up.

In particular, the impact of the gouverneur impériale, Duc de Guise on the young Charles, many referring to this relationship as being a replacement for that of the young Empereur's relation with his own father following his passing. The young Empereur, succeeding immediately upon his father's death, was thrust into the light of Emperor-ship and took up these new responsibilities with pride and responsibility, often know for his maturity and clever decision making, Charles was remembered as an Empereur of wit and pleasure, rather than that of politics and physical looks.                                                                                                                                                      His death by poisoning remained a mystery until 1640, when it was discovered that a man, named Geoffery Arnauld, who hated the Huguenouts poisoned the Empereur's food. The assassin's family is known for one of violence, in fact. With all the pieces in place and the crime solved and the culprit found, the 2-year investigation on who poisoned the Empereur concluded.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Charles' young son, Henri III, succeeded him as Empereur upon his death.

## Biography

### **Birth of Dauphin Charles**

The birth of the Dauphin was a celebrated and adored event, at the Chateau de Boulogne the Empress Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie was surrounded by the court of her husband Emperor Francois III & II, the birth was seemingly uncomplicated, Empress Marguerite had experienced little pain before the birth of Charles and as his time to come into the world drew near, she was taken to her bed to rest before giving birth. The previous double miscarriage of Marguerite had put the court on edge, such was wide knowledge and the birth of an heir was pivotal, especially for the sickly disposition of Francois, who could die at any time.

Cries of joy and adoration broke out upon the announcement of the healthy baby boy, who was to be taken immediately to the wet nurse. The name was not officially announced until long after the birth, with a great deal of anticipation, the Cardinal de Lorraine in particular had began to grow impatient with the longevity of the announcement. Two weeks following the birth, the name Charles Dieudonne de Grandelumiere was settled on by the Emperor & Empress. Dieudonne meaning "Gift of God", such a name was considered suitable for this lucky Heir, who had saved the continuity of the Valois dynasty. Letters of congratulation to Francois & Marguerite came respectively from many nations across the continent, it was especially noted that the Francois' Uncle Henri I of Poland also sent with him two silver peacocks, which remained in the gardens of Boulogne until death.

 File:Louis XIII (2).png
### **Introduction to Court**

In the mid June of 1621, Charles X made his grand entrance to court on the eve of the *Boule de navires,* a ball held to celebrate the commissioning of the Imperial flagship. The first impressions were both extravagant and regal, many courtiers attending the event regarded it as being a splendid show of Imperial naval strength, unlike that of his fathers', his entrance was much less formal, adopting for the Grandeur of a ball rather than that of a ceremony. Upon entrance to court, Charles' main relationships were with that of his old governess Duchesse de Montpensier & the Duc de Guise, both of them helped coaxed him into Emperor-ship and rise to the central position of the Grandelumerian court.

### **Coronation of 1621**

The coronation of 1621 occurred at the Cathedral of Reims, Champagne and the crowning was led by that of the Cardinal de Guise, Crown Cardinal at the beginning of Charles X's reign. The extravagance and attendance was remarkably superior to that of his Fathers and the opulence of the many peers shone through. Most noticeably the freeing of 1,000 White Doves during the ceremony, a sign of purity and to mark the start of the reign. Unlike other coronations, Charles was crowned aged 12, something not commonly seen, likewise, at the coronation Charles was unmarried, the event being the single crowning of Charles unlike in other instances where both the Sovereign and consort had been crowned. The event was similarly attended by Henri de Lorraine, Duc de Lorraine & his Consort, Marguerite Gonzaga, Duchesse de Lorraine, both of them remained at court for a week to enjoy the wealth that Charles showered upon them. This joyful event was then followed by a large feast at the Louvre in which it was noted there were so many dishes they could not fit them upon the tables.

### **Handover of Nicole**

In 1626, the elaborate handover took place at Chaudeney-sur-Moselle, marking the point of exchange between that of the Duchy of Lorraine and Grandelumiere, from there the two parties mingled starting with Nicole de Lorraine's preparation and the beginning of her journey to become Empress-Consort of Grandelumiere. The ceremony was attended by most of the senior courtiers who traveled from the Louvre alongside his Majesty as well as Charles' siblings Monsieur & Madame Imperiale. The document was signed by both parties and in such, a monumental agreement was made, that Lorraine come into the fold of the Empire, this also recognised the disagreement the Comte de Vaudémont may have with such an agreement and offered him the Duchy of Touraine in exchange for his loss of Lorrainer succession. Furthermore the agreement would come into play soon enough given the recent conflict in the low countries and the involvement of Lorraine as a strategic location.

#### **Wedding**

The wedding of Charles and Nicole took place 5 nights following the handover, on the Saturday of the week of the 17th July, grandeur and opulence was the key theme and the ceremony performed by the Cardinal de Montmorency at the Notre Dame de Paris was one to remember. This was then followed by festivities at the Louvre Palace in Paris and a bedding ceremony, which was unfruitful for the couple. The wedding was attended by around 1,200 courtiers and the following celebrations continued into the days following, with a joust being held and a duelling tourney for the men.

### **Relationships at Court**

Through the childhood of Charles, those who he found himself closest to were that of the Enfants d'Honneur who constantly doted on the Emperor and Charles himself returned this favour. Particularly the Duc de Montmorency who Charles had expressed his utmost affection towards one another, specifically, the Duchesse de Montpensier, whom Charles refered to as *Mere,* expressed extreme worry to the situation between the two and the relationship that was flourishing from one anothers friendship. One notable example, in 1625 when Her Majesty, The Empress-Dowager and the Duchesse de Montpensier spoke openly of fears that Charles X & II would become much like his grandfather, Charles IX, known for his hedonism and homosexual debauchery.

Charles found himself constantly at the attention of all courtiers, naturally as any Sovereign would in their own court, the introduction of Nicole in 1626 had led to an uplifting attitude for the entire court who enjoyed the new sense of contrast between the two, Monarch and Consort. In the time of war from 1626- , there were multiple times when the young Empress had held court together and maintained order while the men were away. This had clearly pleased Charles on many occasions and the pleasant relationship Charles and Nicole had with one another was uplifting for many to see. The major downfall however, was Charles' personal inability to produce an heir, largely down to his homosexuality and the problems this had caused in bed between one another.

### **Hobbies & Interests**

Charles was known for his flamboyant hunts and extravagant hosting's with his closest friends. Particularly, his hunts at the Foret de Fontainebleau and those surrounding Paris, his manly escapades often pleased those who worried the Homosexual Emperor would become more like Henri III, considered weak and feeble by many with his lover Anne de Joyeuse. Charles X himself, was observed as much more interested in masculinity and enjoyed his male company along with sport and hunting.

### **Poisoning & Death**

On the evening of the 1st September, 1638, Charles took up his regular courtly Couvert, with the first course, being Soupe Imperiale. In this soupe, it was remarked from observers that His Majesty was uncomfortable with the texture of the soup, motioning for cream to thicken it. Aproximately 6 minutes into the Couvert, his Majesty stood abruptly following coughing throughout, with those in attendence, he coughed blood across the face of his Mother, the Dowager Marguerite d'Autriche and proceeded to stumble backwards, dragging the table cloth over. Much screaming and much chaos followed, some fainting like Marie de Montmorency-Fosseux. Those in attendence immediately rushed to Sa Majestie's assistance, however it was quite clear that the situation was dire and fatal, after a episode of convulsion, his Majesty was rushed to his bedchamber where he recieved final rites, passing away at 10:33p.m. on the morning of the 2nd of September, 1638 A.D.

## Titles & Styles

* His Imperial Highness, ***Monseigneur le Dauphin***, 1609-1617
* Sa Majesté Impériale et Très Chrétienne, ***Charles X & II***, 1617-Present

Empereur de Grandelumiere, Roi d'Ecoisse, Roi d'Angleterre, Roi d'Irlande, Prince de Andorre, Duc de Anjou, Duc de Valois, Duc de Vendôme, Duc de Chartres, Duc d’Orléans, Duc de Brittany, Duc of Alençon, Duc de Auvergne, Duc de Guyenne, Duc de Provence, Duc de Normandie, Duc de Picardie, Duc de Berry, Duc de Châtellerault, Duc de Angoulême, Duc de Beaupréau, Duc de Longueville, Prince de Condé, Prince de La Roche-sur-Yon, Comte de Soissons, Comte de Champagne, Comte de Saint-Germain, Comte de Poitiers, Comte de Toulouse, Comte de Périgord, Comte d’Évreux