Francis, Count of Vendôme

Who was Francis, Count of Vendôme?

François de Bourbon was a French prince. He was the Count of Vendôme.

He was the son of Jean VIII, Count of Vendôme, and Isabelle de Beauveau. As a legitimate member of the Capetian dynasty, he ranked in France as a prince du sang. At his father's death when he was seven, he became Count of Vendôme. During his minority, his estates were administered by his uncle Louis le Joyeuse.

He was a faithful follower of Anne of France and King Charles VIII of France.

In 1487, he married Marie de Luxembourg, the widow of Jacques of Savoy, Count of Romont. She brought great estates as her dowry, including the countships of Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and Soissons in Picardy.

They had six children:

Charles de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme, Duke of Vendôme

Jacques

François, Count of Saint Pol and of Chaumont, Duke of Estouteville

Louis, Cardinal de Bourbon, Archbishop of Sens

Antoinette de Bourbon, married Claude, Duke of Guise, grandparents of Mary Queen of Scots

Louise, Abbess of Fontevraud

Also by Isabeau de Grigny;

Jacques de Bourbon

He died at the age of 25 in Vercelli, Italy, and was succeeded by his son Charles IV de Bourbon. His widow administered the family's estates during Charles' minority.