THE ROYALISTS

HENRY IV OF FRANCE

Victory at Ivry led inevitably to the end of the Wars of Religion, but Henry’s reign was still fractious in other ways, not least after he converted to Catholicism to maintain his hold on the throne. At least 12 assassination attempts were made on him, finally killing him in 1610. He was succeeded by Louis XIII.

ARMAND DE GONTAUT, BARON DE BIRON

The marshall of France had distinguished himself as a commander over many years before supporting Henry of Navarre’s claim to the French throne. Early in the Wars of Religion he had led a cavalry regiment, but by the end of the war he had been made a privy councillor and grand master of artillery before taking up the marshal role, a title both his son and grandson would also earn.

ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND

Supporting the Protestant king of France from across the channel, Elizabeth sent £200,000 and some 70,000 pounds of gunpowder, ammunition, and other supplies to support Henry’s mission. She also sent Henry troops for his attack on Paris on 1 November but this, like many other English attempts to aid Henry, failed in the short term.