Charles de Valois (28 April 1573 – 24 September 1650) was an illegitimate son of Charles IX of France and Marie Touchet. He was count of Auvergne, duke of Angoulême, and a memoirist.
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Biography
Charles de Valois was born at the Château de Fayet in Dauphiné in 1573, the illegitimate son of Charles IX and Marie Touchet. His father, died the following year, commended him to the care and favour of Henry III, who faithfully fulfilled the charge. His mother then married François de Balzac, marquis d'Entragues.
Charles de Valois was carefully educated and was inducted into the Knights of Malta. In 1588, he attained one of the highest dignities of the order, being made Grand Prior of France. Shortly after he came into possession of large estates left by his paternal grandmother Catherine de' Medici, from one of which he took his title of count of Auvergne.
Following Henry III's assassination, Charles was commended to the good-will of his successor Henry IV. Under Henry IV he was made colonel of horse, and in that capacity commanded a squadron at the Battle of Ivry.
In 1601, Charles engaged in the conspiracy formed by the Dukes of Savoy, Biron and Monsieur de Turenne. The conspiracy was discovered; Biron and Bouillon were arrested and Biron was executed. Charles was released after a few months' imprisonment, chiefly through the influence of his half-sister, his aunt, the duchess of Angoulême and his father-in-law.