King Louis XII was the King of France from 1498 until his death in 1515. He was born on June 27, 1462, in Blois, France, and was the only surviving son of Charles, Duke of Orléans, and Marie of Cleves.
Louis XII's path to the throne was not straightforward. His father, Charles, Duke of Orléans, died when Louis was just three years old. His mother, Marie of Cleves, then married Louis I of Orléans, making Louis XII's uncle his stepfather. Louis XII was raised at the court of his cousin, King Charles VIII, where he was educated in the arts of governance, warfare, and diplomacy.
When Charles VIII died without a direct heir in 1498, Louis, who was then Duke of Orléans, ascended the throne as Louis XII, marking the end of the Valois-Orléans branch of the House of Valois.
Upon his accession, Louis XII faced several challenges:
Louis XII was known for his jovial nature and his attempts to be a popular monarch. He married three times:
From Anne of Brittany, he had two daughters, Claude of France and Renee of France. Despite his efforts to secure a male heir, none of his children with Anne survived infancy.
Louis XII died on January 1, 1515, in Château de Blois. His death marked the end of the Valois-Orléans line. He was succeeded by his cousin, King Francis I, who continued the French military campaigns in Italy.
His reign is often remembered for the continuation of the Italian Wars, his attempts at administrative reform, and his marriages which had significant political implications for France's relations with neighboring countries and regions.