Historian Didier Le Fur has released a new biography of Charles IX, the fourth Valois king of France. The book is being lauded as a significant historical work for the current season. Le Fur, a Renaissance specialist, presents a nuanced portrait of the king who reigned during the infamous Saint Bartholomew’s Day massacre. The work aims to move beyond traditionally hostile interpretations of Charles IX’s character and reign. It offers a scholarly and detailed examination of his life and the complex political landscape of 16th-century France. The biography promises to reshape understanding of a controversial figure in French history.