King Henri II was the King of France from 1547 until his death in 1559. He was a member of the Valois dynasty and the son of Francis I. His reign was marked by military conflicts, particularly with Spain and England, as well as the rise of the Protestant Reformation in France. Henri II is known for his efforts to strengthen the monarchy and centralize power. He married Catherine de' Medici, and they had ten children, some of whom would later become significant figures in French history. His reign ended when he died from injuries sustained in a jousting tournament.