Paris163 Henry IV (1553 – 1610), ruled as King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France. His parents were Antoine de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme and his wife, Jeanne d'Albret, Queen regnant of Navarre. As a Huguenot, Henry was involved in the Wars of Religion before ascending to the throne in 1589. In 1598 he enacted the Edict of Nantes which guaranteed religious liberties to the Protestants and thereby effectively ended the civil war. One of the most popular French kings, both during and after his reign, Henry showed great care for the welfare of his subjects and displayed an unusual religious tolerance for the time. He was murdered by a fanatical Catholic, François Ravaillac. Henry was nicknamed Henry the Great (Henri le Grand). One of his famous quotes is: God willing, every working man in my kingdom will have a chicken in the pot every Sunday, at the least!