François III of Rethel was a noble French of the Maison Gonzague, of Italian stock free , born the June 17th 1607 in France and dead the October 13rd 1622 with Charleville (France).

François was the oldest son of Charles Gonzague, duke of Nevers and of Rethel and prince d' Arches at the time of his birth. His/her mother was Catherine of Lorraine, girl of famous the Mayenne , Charles de Mayenne, deceased in 1611, and sister of the duke of Mayenne which succeeded to him, Henri de Mayenne.
Francois, duke of Rethel by Courtesy, was the heir in power to the strongholds to his father, the duchies of Nevers and Rethel and the principality of Arches.
He died, nonmarried and without posterity, at the 16 years age, the October 13rd 1622, leaving with his younger brother Charles the load of heir apparent.

See too

• House Gonzague
• List of the dukes of Rethel

External bonds

• Sardimpex.com: Gonzaga - Marchesi E Duchi sovrani di Mantova
• Genealogy.euweb.cz: Gonzaga family
• Siefar : Catherine of Lorraine-Mayenne and her children by Hilarion de Coste