Gaspard de Coligny

Gaspard de Coligny (died 24 August 1572) was an Admiral of France and a Huguenot. He supported France joining the Dutch in their war with Spain, and spoke out against Catholic attacks on Huguenots. Catherine de Medici, believing that his influence on King Charles IX was too great, led a conspiracy to have him assassinated. He was wounded in the attempt, and was killed two days later during the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. (DW: The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve)