Francis I, Duke of Nevers
Francis I of Cleves, was a commander in the French Royal Army and the first Duke of Nevers. He participated in the suppression of the Amboise conspiracy.
The only son of Charles II of Nevers and Marie d'Albret, Countess of Rethel, Francis succeeded his father as Count of Nevers and Eu. In 1539, he became Duke of Nevers. When his mother died in 1549, he also inherited the title of Count of Rethel.
In 1538, Francis married Marguerite of Bourbon-La Marche, daughter of Charles de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme and Françoise of Alençon.
They had:
- Francis II, Duke of Nevers, 2nd Duke; married Anne de Bourbon, daughter of Louis, Duke of Montpensier, no issue.
- Henriette of Cleves ; married Louis Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers, and became 4th Duchess of Nevers after the death of her brothers.
- James, Duke of Nevers, 3rd Duke, married Diane de la Marck
- Catherine of Cleves ; married Antoine III of Croy and Henry I, Duke of Guise.
- Marie of Cleves ; married Henri I de Bourbon, prince de Condé.
