# Henry II of France

> King of France from 1547 to 1559 (1519–1559)

**Wikidata**: [Q132545](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132545)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_II_of_France)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/henry-ii-of-france

## Summary
Henry II of France was a politician and monarch who served as the King of France from 1547 until his death in 1559. Born in 1519, he ruled the Kingdom of France during a period that included the establishment of the Parliament of Brittany in 1554. His legacy is also tied to specific cultural artifacts, including the Parade Armour of Henry II of France and the Diana of Versailles sculpture.

## Biography
- Born: 1519
- Nationality: Kingdom of France
- Education: Not available
- Known for: Reigning as King of France from 1547 to 1559
- Employer(s): Kingdom of France
- Field(s): Politics, Government

## Contributions
Henry II of France's reign is marked by the establishment of the Parliament of Brittany in 1554, a law building serving as a headquarters in western France. He is also directly associated with the creation of the Parade Armour of Henry II of France in 1555, a piece of armor highlighted in The MET collection. Additionally, his ownership included the Diana of Versailles, a Roman sculpture of Artemis dating back to circa 100 AD.

## FAQs
**When did Henry II of France rule?**
Henry II of France served as King of France from 1547 until 1559, living from 1519 to 1559.

**What artifacts are linked to Henry II of France?**
He is associated with the Parade Armour of Henry II of France, created in 1555, and the Diana of Versailles, a Roman sculpture of Artemis.

**What institutions were founded during his reign?**
The Parliament of Brittany, a law building in western France, was established in 1554 during his time as king.

**What recognition did Henry II of France receive?**
He was a recipient of the Order of Saint Michael, a French dynastic order of knighthood founded in 1469.

## Why They Matter
Henry II of France matters as the head of the Kingdom of France during a specific historical window (1547–1559), overseeing political developments such as the inception of the Parliament of Brittany. His influence extends into art and history through the possession of the Diana of Versailles and the commissioning of the Parade Armour of 1555, which remains a highlighted object in The MET collection. These connections provide a tangible link to the cultural and military history of 16th-century France.

## Notable For
- Reign as King of France from 1547 to 1559.
- Establishment of the Parliament of Brittany in 1554.
- Creation of the Parade Armour of Henry II of France in 1555.
- Ownership of the Diana of Versailles sculpture.
- Membership in the Order of Saint Michael.

## Body
### Reign and Political Role
Henry II of France was a human and politician who held the position of King of France. His tenure began in 1547 and concluded with his death in 1559. As the monarch, he governed the Kingdom of France, a sovereign state in Western Europe that existed during the years 987–1792 and later 1815–1848. His political career was centered within this government structure.

### Institutional Developments
During his rule, a significant institutional development occurred with the inception of the Parliament of Brittany in 1554. This entity, categorized as a law building, is located in western France and served as a headquarters. The establishment of this parliament marked a notable administrative event during Henry II's reign.

### Cultural and Artistic Artifacts
Henry II of France is historically connected to distinct works of art and armor. The Parade Armour of Henry II of France was created in 1555. This armor, designed for a man, is currently highlighted in The MET collection. Additionally, Henry II owned or operated the Diana of Versailles. This artifact is a Roman sculpture of Artemis, created after a lost Greek bronze original by Leochares, with an inception date circa 100 AD.

### Awards and Recognition
The king received the Order of Saint Michael. This is a French dynastic order of knighthood that was originally founded in 1469 by King Louis XI of France. The order is associated with the country of France.

### Related Entities
Henry II's life and era intersect with various other entities. He is associated with Jean Goujon, a French artist who lived from 1510 to 1567. Goujon held occupations including artist and sculptor and was a citizen of France. The broader context of his existence falls under the classification of humans (Homo sapiens) and politicians.

## References

1. Source
2. EB-11 / Catherine de' Medici
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Henry II, King of France 1547–1559
6. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
7. Genealogics
8. Base biographique
9. RKDartists
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. IdRef
12. Catalog of the Digital Discoverability Project of the RDIFQ
13. Répertoire analytique et chronologique de la correspondance de Guillaume Budé
14. LIBRIS. 2012
15. Sejm-Wielki.pl
16. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
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18. HMML Authority File