The old duke, as he entered the king's apartment by invitation, was stricken down by assassins hidden for that purpose.
Henry had not counted on the rebound from that blow.

Catholic France was excited to such popular fury against him that he threw himself into the arms of the Protestants, imploring their aid in keeping his crown and his kingdom; and when himself assassinated, a year later, the Valois line had become extinct.
By the Salic Law, Henry of Navarre was King of France.

The Bourbon branch had left the parent stem as long ago as the reign of Louis the Saint.

But as all the other Capetian branches had disappeared, the right of the plumed knight to the crown was beyond a question.

So a Protestant and a Huguenot was King of France..