KING HENRY III of France dies (b. 1551); For a long time after his death, Henry was assumed to have been homosexual or at least bisexual. Although there are numerous credible references which document Henry’s sexuality, it is still disputed, because, well, you know, what could be worse? For example, some modern historians, such as Erlanger, J.F. Solnon, Nicolas Le Roux and J. Boucher, manly men all, found evidence to support the idea that, not only was Henry not homosexual (though still perhaps bisexual), but he had many famous mistresses.

They found that there were no men named (right…when they were shoving hot pokers of the poop chutes of same sex loving royalty, they’re going to record names) with whom he could have had sex, and that he was well-known at the time for his taste in beautiful women (hello…Mr. Blackwell?)

They concluded that the idea of his supposed homosexuality was based on his dislike of war and hunting being interpreted as effeminate, an image cultivated by political opponents (both Protestants and ultra-Catholics) to turn the opinion of the French people against him. The scholar Louis Crompton provides substantial contemporary evidence of Henry III’s homosexuality, and the associated problems at court and politics.