Charles de Lorraine, 4th Duke of Guise was the son of Henry I, Duke of Guise and Catherine of Cleves.
Background
He was born in Joinville, (Haute-Marne department), in the Champagne-Ardenne region of northeastern France. After his father"s assassination in 1588, he succeeded him as Duke of Guise, but was kept in prison in Tours for three years, escaping in 1591.
Career
While the Catholic League had great hopes for him, and considered placing him on the throne, he declared his support for Henry IV of France in 1594, for which Henry paid him four million livres and made him Governor of Provence. In 1595, he captured Marseille from the Duc d"Épernon, who held it for the League. He was later created Grand Master of France and Admiral of the Levant.
Falling into disfavor with Cardinal Richelieu for siding with Marie de" Medici, he withdrew to Italy in 1631.
Duke Charles himself died, at Cuneo, in 1640. François (3 April 1612 – 7 December 1639), Prince of Joinville, who died in Florence during the family"s exile and was buried in the church of San Lorenzo and later reinterred at Joinville.
Twin boys (4 March 1613 – 19 March 1613), who were very frail and sickly. They died on the same day.
Henry II, Duke of Guise (1614–1664), also Archbishop of Reims
Marie, Duchess of Guise (1615–1688)
A girl, called Mademoiselle de Joinville (4 March 1617 – 18 January 1618), who was born healthy but caught a cold in the winter of 1617 and died shortly thereafter.
Charles Louis (15 July 1618 – 15 March 1637, who also died in Florence) and was buried at San Lorenzo and later at Joinville, styled Duke of Joyeuse
Françoise Renée (10 January 1621 – 4 December 1682, Montmartre), Abbess of Montmartre
Louis, Duke of Joyeuse (1622–1664), also Duke of Angoulêmedical