He was the youngest son of Theobald IV of Champagne (who was also king Theobald I of Navarre) and Margaret of Foix. In December 1270 Henry succeeded his eldest brother Theobald V of Champagne (Theobald II of Navarre) as King of Navarre and Count of Champagne.
His proclamation at Pamplona, however, did not take place till March of the following year, and his coronation was delayed until May 1273. After a brief reign, characterized, it is said, by dignity and talent, he died in July 1274, suffocated, according to the generally received accounts, by his own fat.
After his death with no male heir, the male line of the counts of Champagne and kings of Navarre became extinct.
In 1269 Henry married Blanche, daughter of Robert, Count of Artois, and niece of King Louis IX. He was succeeded by his only legitimate child, Jeanne (or Joanna); her 1283 marriage to Philip IV (who became King of France in 1284) united the crown of Navarre to that of France, with Champagne becoming part of the French royal domain.
This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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Preceded by: Theobald V |
Count of Champagne King of Navarre |
Succeeded by: Jeanne of Navarre |