The assassination of King Henry IV of France by François Ravaillac is a significant moment in early 17th-century France. Henry IV, who was formerly known as Henry of Navarre, converted to Catholicism to unify a divided France after years of religious conflict, including the Wars of Religion. His reign was marked by efforts to increase national unity and restore order in a country plagued by strife. However, not all were pleased with his policies, particularly radical Catholics who viewed his tolerance towards Protestants as a betrayal. François Ravaillac was a zealous supporter of the Catholic faith, driven by a desire to eliminate what he perceived as the king's heretical policies.On that fateful day in May, as Henry IV drove through the streets of Paris in a closed carriage, Ravaillac seized the opportunity to confront him. In a brutal act of violence, he approached the vehicle and plunged a knife into the king, resulting in his immediate death. The assassination sent shockwaves throughout France and prompted fears about the stability of the monarchy and potential future conflicts. In the wake of Henry's death, his son Louis XIII became king at just nine years old, leading to a regency amid concerns over court intrigues and power struggles.