ST. URBAIN, Ferdinand de: Lorraine, ca. 1720, Bronze, 47 mm
Obv: Bust (r)   HENR. II. D. G. DVX. LOTH. MARCH. DVX. C. B. G.
Rev: Bust (l)   MARGAR. A. GONZAGA. DVCISSA. LOT. C. B. G.
Ref: From the Series of the Dukes and Duchesses of Lorraine. Forrer V, p.310 #49; Mirnik #31; Magnaguti 213; Coll. Johnson II, 478;  Weiss BW773

Henry (Henri) II, Duc de Lorraine (le Bon) (1563-1624) was the son of Charles III, Duc de Lorraine and Claude de Valois, Princesse de France. In 1599 he married his first wife, Catalina de Bourbon, Princesse de Navarre, daughter of Antoine, Rey de Navarre and Jeanne III, Reina de Navarre. In 1606 he married his second wife, Margherita Gonzaga.

Henry, succeeded to the title of Duc de Lorraine in 1608 at the age of 45. However, as he had relatively little political experience, he came under the influence of others, the most prominent being Henry Ancerville, son of the Cardinal de Guise. Henry’s strong religious ties led to his becoming an ardent defender of the Counter-Reformation and encouraged him to issue several edicts ordering Protestants to leave Lorraine.  Nevertheless, during the Thirty Years War, a wide ranging conflict fought largely between the Protestant and Catholic countries of Europe, Henry kept a neutral position and tried to play the role of conciliator among the warring parties.

Margherita Gonzaga (1591-1632) was the daughter of Vincenzo I Gonzaga, 4th Duca di Mantova and Eleonora de Medici.

The children of Henri and Margherita were Nicolaea, Duchesse de Lorraine and Claude de Lorraine.