Charles III, Duke of Lorraine
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Charles III (February 15 1543 – May 14 1608), known as the Great, was Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death.
He was the eldest surviving son of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine and Christina of Denmark. His mother served as the regent during his minority.
During his childhood, his aged great-grandmother Philippa of Gelderland died in 1547, leaving her inheritances to the young Charles.
He married Claude of Valois, princess of France, daughter of king Henry II and Catherine de Medici.
His daughter, Elisabeth Renata, married Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria. His son, Henry II, Duke of Lorraine, namesake of his grandfather the French king, succeeded him. Another daughter, Christina of Lorraine, married Ferdinando I de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.
He is sometimes numbered as Charles II of Lorraine. His dynasty claimed the kingdom of Jerusalem and used also the title of Duke of Calabria as symbol of their claims to the Neapolitan kingdom. Additionally, they had a clam to the Duchy of Gelderland, inherited from Charles of Egmont, Duke of Gelderland.
See also: Dukes of Lorraine family tree
| Preceded by: Francis I | Duke of Lorraine 1545-1608 | Succeeded by: Henry I |
es:Carlos III de Lorena fr:Charles III de Lorraine nl:Karel III van Lotharingen
