Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, Count of Montpensier and Dauphin of Auvergne (b.1490)

Charles III of Bourbon (17 February 1490 – 6 May 1527) was an extraordinary figure in early 16th-century European history, a French military leader whose dramatic life story encapsulates the twilight of the great feudal lords and the rise of centralized monarchical power. Born into one of the most powerful noble families in France, his lineage and vast landholdings initially positioned him as a staunch pillar of the French crown, only for him to become its most formidable adversary.

The Ascent of a Powerful Noble

From an early age, Charles inherited a rich tapestry of titles, laying the groundwork for his immense influence. By 1501, he held the significant positions of Count of Montpensier, Clermont, and Auvergne, alongside the prestigious title of Dauphin of Auvergne. These weren't mere honorifics; they represented control over extensive territories and considerable military and economic resources within the Kingdom of France. His power base expanded further when, from 1505, he became the Duke of Bourbon and Auvergne, Count of Clermont-en-Beauvaisis, Forez, and La Marche, and Lord of Beaujeu. The Duchy of Bourbon, in particular, was a quasi-independent state within France, making him one of the wealthiest and most influential aristocrats in the realm, second only to the King himself.

Constable of France: Apex of Power

The zenith of his early career arrived in 1515 when King Francis I, recognizing Charles’s exceptional military prowess and administrative capabilities, appointed him as the Constable of France. This was not merely an honorary title; it designated him as the supreme commander of the French army, placing him at the very pinnacle of the kingdom's military hierarchy. For six years, from 1515 to 1521, Charles, often referred to simply as the Constable of Bourbon, wielded immense authority, playing a crucial role in French military campaigns, most notably during the early phases of the Italian Wars.

The Seeds of Discontent and Defection

Despite his exalted position and profound loyalty demonstrated through years of service, Charles III of Bourbon's relationship with the French crown began to fray. A complex web of personal slights, political maneuvering, and, most significantly, a protracted legal dispute over inheritance rights threatened his vast patrimony. Queen Mother Louise of Savoy, King Francis I’s mother, laid claim to the Bourbon territories, arguing they should revert to the Crown. The ensuing legal battle, which many contemporaries viewed as biased against Bourbon, effectively stripped him of his lands and titles by royal decree. This perceived injustice and profound betrayal fueled his resentment, leading to one of the most shocking acts of treason in French history.

Feeling his honor and livelihood irrevocably damaged by the king he had served, Charles III took the extraordinary and fateful decision to abandon France. In 1523, he secretly defected to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Francis I's arch-rival, and King Henry VIII of England. His defection was a monumental blow to French prestige and military strength, as the Constable carried with him not only his military genius but also intimate knowledge of French strategy and defenses.

The Italian Wars and the Sack of Rome

Having sworn allegiance to Emperor Charles V, Charles of Bourbon found himself leading imperial forces against his former countrymen in the relentless struggle for supremacy in Italy, known as the Italian Wars. His military expertise was invaluable to the Emperor, and he proved a formidable opponent to the French. Ultimately, his path led him to one of the most infamous and brutal events of the era: the Sack of Rome in 1527.

Leading a largely unpaid and mutinous imperial army – a mix of Spanish, German Landsknechts, and Italian mercenaries – towards Rome, Charles of Bourbon faced the daunting task of controlling his desperate troops. On May 6, 1527, as he personally led the assault on the city's walls, he was struck by a harquebus shot and died. His death, however, did not halt the imperial forces. Enraged and leaderless, the mercenaries poured into Rome, initiating a week-long rampage of unprecedented violence, looting, and destruction that profoundly shocked Europe and marked a grim chapter in the history of the Eternal City.

Charles III of Bourbon's life story is a potent illustration of the transition from the medieval feudal system, where powerful nobles could challenge the central authority of the monarch, to the early modern era of absolute monarchies. His tragic end as a traitor to his homeland, dying while leading an enemy army, cemented his place in history as the "last of the great feudal lords to oppose the king of France," a stark symbol of a bygone era.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charles III of Bourbon

Who was Charles III of Bourbon?
Charles III of Bourbon was a prominent French military leader and nobleman in the early 16th century. He was initially one of France's most powerful figures, holding vast territories and the esteemed title of Constable of France, before he famously defected and became a commander for Emperor Charles V.
Why was he known as the "Constable of Bourbon"?
He earned the moniker "Constable of Bourbon" because of his high office as the Constable of France from 1515 to 1521. This position made him the supreme commander of the French army, reflecting his military importance and the prestige of the Duchy of Bourbon, which he ruled.
What led to his defection from France?
His defection was primarily driven by a bitter and highly contentious legal dispute over his inheritance with King Francis I and his mother, Louise of Savoy. The royal family’s successful claim to his vast Bourbon lands and titles left him feeling deeply betrayed and dishonored, prompting him to seek vengeance and opportunity with France's enemies.
What was his role in the Sack of Rome?
Charles III of Bourbon was the commander-in-chief of the Imperial army that besieged and subsequently sacked Rome in 1527. He led the assault on the city walls on May 6, 1527, where he was killed early in the engagement. Despite his death, his leaderless and desperate troops proceeded to unleash a devastating period of looting and destruction upon the city.
How did Charles III of Bourbon die?
Charles III of Bourbon was killed by a harquebus shot on May 6, 1527, while personally leading the vanguard of the Imperial army in the assault on the walls of Rome. His death occurred at the very beginning of the infamous Sack of Rome.