# Death of François, Duke of Anjou creates succession crisis (1584)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1584-death-of-francois-duke-of-anjou-creates-succession-crisis
Location: France

Henry of Navarre became heir presumptive, alarming Catholic League leaders. Within the broader Renaissance & Wars of Religion period, Renaissance monarchy brought Italian wars, humanist culture and overseas exploration. The Reformation then fractured the kingdom, producing decades of civil war between Catholic and Protestant factions. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Henry III (King of France). Death of François, Duke of Anjou creates succession crisis mattered because succession and legitimacy shaped alliances, institutions and the direction of state policy. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Death of François, Duke of Anjou creates succession crisis mattered because succession and legitimacy shaped alliances, institutions and the direction of state policy.

Ruler at the time: [Henry III](https://history-france.com/rulers/henry-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Death of François, Duke of Anjou creates succession crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Death+of+Fran%C3%A7ois%2C+Duke+of+Anjou+creates+succession+crisis&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Death of François, Duke of Anjou creates succession crisis](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Death+of+Fran%C3%A7ois%2C+Duke+of+Anjou+creates+succession+crisis)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)