After siding with the Queen Mother, Marie de' Medici, against Cardinal Richelieu, he fled to Italy with his family where he died in 1640.

After his father's assassination in 1588, Charles succeeded him as Duke of Guise, but was kept in prison in Tours for three years, escaping in 1591.

[6] During the reign of Louis XIII, Charles was created Grand Master of France and Admiral of the Levant.

[7] Falling into disfavor with Cardinal Richelieu for siding with Marie de' Medici, he withdrew to Italy in 1631.

His widow and children (among them Marie, Mademoiselle de Guise) were permitted to return to France in 1643.