Bourbon, Charles III, duke of

(1490-1527)

   constable of France

   Born in Montpensier, Charles III, duke of Bourbon, the constable of France (or le connétable de Bourbon, as he was known), count of Montpensier (1501), and duke of Auvergne (1503) became heir to the county of Montpensier in 1503. He married his cousin, a daughter of Pierre II de Beaugeu, and unified the immense domains of the two lines of the house of bourbon. Charles III, duke of Bourbon fought brilliantly at the Battle of Agnadel (1509), received the title of constable (1514), played a decisive role at the Battle of Marignan (1515), then served as governor of Milan. After the death of his wife (1521), he refused the hand of Louise of Savoy, mother of francis i, who claimed the Bourbon inheritance. Charles then offered his services to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and took part in the defeat of the French at Pavia (1525). He was later killed at the siege of Rome in 1527. The sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, who was among the city's defenders, claimed to have fired the fatal shot. With the death of Charles III, the elder branch of the Bourbons became extinct, and Francis I confiscated his domains.