major figure in France's Wars of Religion and in the ultimate succession of Henry IV of Bourbon.

Louis I de Bourbon, the first prince de Condé, had acquired the countship of Soissons in 1557, and upon his death in 1569 it passed to his youngest son, Charles. This count fought for Henry of Bourbon (the future Henry IV) against Henry III of France at Coutras (1587), for Henry III against the Holy League (led by the House of Guise) in Brittany (1589), and finally for Henry IV against the League in Normandy (1590–92) and against Savoy (1600). His desire to marry Henry IV's sister Catherine was frustrated. Governor of Dauphiné from 1601, he protested when, on Henry IV's death in 1610, the queen mother, Marie de Médicis, was named regent; but he was appeased with the governorship of Normandy. He died two and a half years later.