Today’s murder became known as the Day of the Dagger. On the 23rd December 1588 the bodyguards of King Henri III of France stabbed to death the king’s main rival, Henri Duke of Guise. The late 16th century was a turbulent period in France, marked by deep religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants. The French Wars of Religion pitted the Catholic majority against the Protestant Huguenots, leading to a protracted and violent conflict. Henri I, Duke of Guise, emerged as a prominent Catholic leader, known for his unwavering dedication to the Catholic cause and his strong opposition to Protestantism.
The murder of Henri I, Duke of Guise, was not an isolated act but rather a carefully planned conspiracy. King Henri III, who felt threatened by the growing power and popularity of the Duke of Guise, conspired with his trusted advisor, the Duke of Epernon, to eliminate his rival. On the pretext of a meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict, King Henri III summoned Guise to the Château de Blois.
On that fateful day, as Guise arrived at the Château de Blois, he was met with treachery. King Henri III’s personal guards, known as the “Quarante-Cinq” attacked Guise and his loyal followers. Despite being outnumbered, Guise fought valiantly, but his efforts were in vain. He was brutally assassinated, along with his brother, Louis II, Cardinal of Guise. The shocking murder sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom and beyond.
The assassination of Guise features in my first novel, The Spy who Sank the Armada. The third Henri in what was known as the war of the three Henri’s was Henri of Navarre a Protestant who converted to Catholicism and became King Henri IV of France. He features in my third novel, The Suggested Assassin. I am currently working on the fifth book of the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, working title, The Favourite Murder. The first murder in my work in progress is a historical event and a direct result of the assassination of Guise, on this day in 1588. Some murders just keep on giving.