Antoine, known as the Good, was Duke of Lorraine from 1508 until his death in 1544.
Background
Antoine was born at Bar-le-Duc, the son of René II, Duke of Lorraine and Philippa of Guelders. In 1509 he entrusted the reins of the Duchy to his mother and Hugues des Hazards, bishop of Toul, and followed Louis XII in his campaign in northern Italy, where he took part in the Battle of Agnadello of that year.
Career
After Louis" death, he went again to Italy under Francis I, participating in the battle of Marignano (14/15 September 1515). The situation worsened the following year, when a rebellion, known as German Peasants" War, broke out in Alsace. The insurrectionists captured Saverne and tried to conquer Saint-Dié, while the peasants of Bitscherland also rose in May 1525.
Antoine launched an expedition which reconquered Saverne on 17 May and crushed a peasant army on 20 May near Sélestat.
Antoine was able to enlarge his duchy through heritages and acquisitions. Starting from 1525, he preferred to remain neutral in the wars which ensued between Francis I and Emperor Charles V. With the Treaty of Nuremberg (26 August 1542), he obtained by Charles V the independence of the Duchy of Lorraine
In 1538, he claimed the titles of Duke of Guelders and Count of Zutphen upon the death of Charles of Egmond, but was unable to gain possession of them.
He had six children:
Francis I, Duke of Lorraine (1517–1545)
Nicholas, Duke of Mercœur (1524–1577)
Jean (1526–1532)
Antoine (b 1528), daughter young
Anna (1522–1568), married firstly René of Châlon, Prince of Orange and secondly Philip II, Duke of Aerschot (1496–1549)
Elisabeth (b 1530), daughter young.