# Henry III orders murder of Duke of Guise (1588)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1588-henry-iii-orders-murder-of-duke-of-guise
Location: Blois

The king eliminated his most powerful Catholic League rival, deepening the crisis. 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). Henry III orders murder of Duke of Guise is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France. 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
Henry III orders murder of Duke of Guise is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Henry III orders murder of Duke of Guise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Henry+III+orders+murder+of+Duke+of+Guise&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Henry III orders murder of Duke of Guise](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Henry+III+orders+murder+of+Duke+of+Guise)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)