Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, was one of the last great feudal lords of France to oppose the king himself. After a dispute with King Francis I in regards to the succession of his duchy resulted in Charles' lands being confiscated, he betrayed the crown and turned to the HRE and Spain, led by Charles V and I of habsburg, for aid. He participated in the Italian War of 1521-26, and many suspect that he had plans to estabilish an independent kingdom in southern France, in conjunction with Henry VIII of England. Francis I's defeat and capture at Pavia in 1525 helped Charles of Bourbon's fortunes.
However, Francis I conspired with the Pope to throw Charles V out of Italy, and, after his release and return to France, made a new declaration of war. Emperor Charles V sent Charles III of Bourbon with an army to Italy, in order to chastise the Pope. As the Duke of Bourbon reached the walls of the city, he was mysteriously murdered by gunshot, and his army, having lost its leadership and control, sacked Rome.
But what if Charles III of Bourbon had not been shot? What would be the effects on the English Reformation and on the War of the League of Cognac?