# François Ravaillac

> French regicide

**Wikidata**: [Q349190](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349190)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/François_Ravaillac)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/francois-ravaillac

## Summary
François Ravaillac was a French domestic worker and teacher who is historically recognized as the assassin of King Henry IV of France. His act of regicide in 1610 had significant political repercussions, leading to a period of instability and the eventual rise of the Bourbon monarchy under Louis XIII. As a French national, Ravaillac's actions profoundly impacted the course of French history.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 1, 1578
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: Not specified
- **Known for**: Assassinating King Henry IV of France
- **Employer(s)**: Worked as a domestic worker and teacher
- **Field(s)**: Domestic service, education

## Contributions
François Ravaillac's most notable—and infamous—contribution was the assassination of King Henry IV of France on May 14, 1610. This act removed a key figure in French politics, leading to the accession of Louis XIII at the age of eight and the regency of Marie de' Medici. The event marked a turning point in French history, influencing the political landscape of the early 17th century.

## FAQs
**What is François Ravaillac known for?**  
He is known for assassinating King Henry IV of France in 1610, an act that had profound political consequences for France.

**What were François Ravaillac's occupations?**  
He worked as a domestic worker and a teacher before committing the regicide.

**When did François Ravaillac die?**  
He was executed on May 27, 1610, shortly after the assassination.

**Why did François Ravaillac assassinate King Henry IV?**  
The motivations behind the assassination are not explicitly detailed in the provided source material.

## Why They Matter
François Ravaillac's actions directly altered the trajectory of French history by ending the reign of Henry IV, a monarch known for his efforts to stabilize France after the Wars of Religion. The power vacuum created by Henry's death led to a regency period marked by political intrigue and instability, which shaped the development of the Bourbon monarchy. Ravaillac's regicide underscores the vulnerability of absolute monarchs and the potential for individual acts to reshape national destinies.

## Notable For
- **Assassination of King Henry IV**: Committed on May 14, 1610, in Paris.
- **Execution**: Publicly executed by dismemberment on May 27, 1610.
- **Historical Impact**: Triggered a chain of political events that influenced the French monarchy's structure and stability.

## Body

### Early Life and Background
François Ravaillac was born on January 1, 1578, in France. While specific details about his early life and education are not provided, it is known that he worked as a domestic worker and teacher. His ordinary occupations contrast sharply with the infamous act that defined his legacy.

### The Assassination of Henry IV
On May 14, 1610, Ravaillac stabbed King Henry IV to death in the rue de la Ferronnerie in Paris. Henry IV, who had played a crucial role in ending the French Wars of Religion and establishing a degree of religious tolerance, was a pivotal figure in French history. His assassination occurred during a period of relative stability, which Ravaillac's actions abruptly disrupted.

### Aftermath and Execution
Ravaillac was immediately apprehended and subjected to a brutal interrogation. He was executed on May 27, 1610, by being drawn and quartered—a punishment reserved for traitors. This gruesome execution reflected the severity of his crime and the monarch's absolute authority.

### Historical Significance
The regicide led to the ascension of Louis XIII, then only eight years old, with his mother Marie de' Medici serving as regent. This shift in power dynamics contributed to the political tensions and conflicts that characterized 17th-century France, including the Fronde rebellions. Ravaillac's act is often cited as an example of the fragility of early modern monarchies and the potential for individual agency to reshape political landscapes.

### Legacy
Ravaillac's name became synonymous with regicide in French history. His motivations, while not explicitly detailed in the source material, have been the subject of historical speculation, with some attributing his actions to religious fanaticism or personal grievances. Regardless of intent, the consequences of his actions were undeniable, cementing his place as a pivotal, albeit infamous, figure in French history.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Integrated Authority File
5. Open Library
6. SNAC
7. Nationalencyklopedin
8. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
9. LIBRIS
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
12. GeneaStar
13. Roglo
14. Sapere Encyclopedia
15. MAK
16. Trove
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
19. Enciclopedia Treccani
20. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File