Governing his charge with a moderate religious policy, Catherine de Medici was keen to court him when she assumed the regency for her young son Charles IX upon the premature death of François II.

Receiving the governorship of the city of Paris in 1561 he again demonstrated his tolerance of Protestantism allowing prêches to occur without the intervention of the authorities even though they were technically against the law.

Henri's favourite Anne de Montmorency commanded the largest, with smaller supporting armies under François I, Duke of Nevers and La Roche-sur-Yon.

He was involved in the siege of Renty while a small shadowing force under François, Duke of Guise inflicted a shocking defeat on the imperial army sent to relieve the town.

[10] With Catherine leading the regency government in the direction of open toleration with the Edict of January, the Parlement of Paris reacted with fury, remonstrating the court to make Protestantism fully illegal.

[citation needed] Upon the assassination of the Duke of Guise at the siege of Orléans, a new governor was required for Dauphiné and the crown selected La Roche-sur-Yon to fill the vacancy.

[12] Laurent de Maugiron was confirmed as his lieutenant general, and in La Roche-sur-Yon's absence from his governorship was empowered to act with the powers of governor.

Maugiron was a militant Catholic and the court was displeased by the way he governed Dauphiné and during the royal tour pushed him out in favour of the baron de Gordes.

[13] In July 1563, he was invited by Guise to serve as a counsellor to the betrothal of the duke of Longueville who had abjured Protestantism, and Marie de Bourbon, duchesse d'Estouteville.