François, Count of Vendôme

He was the son of Jean VIII, Count of Vendôme and Isabelle de Beauveau. At his father's death when he was 7, he became Count of Vendôme. During his minority, his estates were administered by his uncle Louis le Joyeuse.

In 1484, he received the Barony of Mondoubleau, which was incorporated into the County of Vendôme. He was a faithful follower of Anne de Beaujeu and King Charles VIII of France.

In 1487, he married Marie de Luxembourg, the widow of Jacques, Duke of Savoy, comte de Romont. She brought great estates as her dowry, including the counties of Saint Pol and Soissons in Picardy.

They had six children:

• Charles de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme (1489-1537), Duke of Vendôme
• Jacques (1490-1491)
• François (1491-1545), Count of Saint Pol and of Chaumont, Duke of Estouteville
• Louis (1493-1557), Cardinal de Bourbon, Archbishop of Sens
• Antoinette de Bourbon (1493-1583), married Claude, Duke of Guise
• Louise (1495-1575), Abbess of Fontevraud

François also had a son Jacques by Isabeau de Grigny.

He died at the age of 25 in Vercelli, Italy, and was succeeded by his son Charles IV de Bourbon. His wife was regent during Charles' minority.