Hercule François Valois, Dauphin and Heir to the Throne of France
Protector and Hereditary Sovereign of the Liberty of the Netherlands
Duke of Evreux, Alencon, Chateau-Thierry, Anjou, Berry, Touraine, and Brabant
Count of Perche, Meulan, Mantes, and Flanders

Most often referred to as simply "the Duke of Alencon", I am the youngest son of King Henry II of France and Catherine d'Medici. I was christened Hercules, but chose to take the name Francois at my confirmation in honor of my elder brother who had reigned as Francois II of France.

In 1574, following the death of my brother, Charles IX of France, my brother became King Henry III of France and I was the presumptive heir to the throne. My brother honored me with his former titles of Duke of Anjou, Touraine, and Berry.

In 1576, following the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, I negotiated the Edict of Beaulieu, which granted freedom of public worship to the Protestant Huguenots. Follow this, in 1579, I was invited by William the Silent to become the hereditary Sovereign of the Netherlands. This was finalized in September of 1580 when the Dutch States-General and I signed the Treaty of Plessis-les-Tours, and I became the Sovereign, assuming the title of "Protector of the Liberty of the Netherlands."

About the same time, in 1579, negotiations were undertaken for my marriage to Queen Elizabeth I of England. At Her Majesty's invitation, I journeyed to England that we may meet in person to pursue the negotiations further. Despite a 21 year age gap, Her Majesty and I have grown very close and she has nicknamed me her "frog." The English are divided on the subject of our proposed marriage and alliance, but some notable courtiers, such as Sir William Cecil, who has the Queen's ear, are very much in favor of the match.