Ludwig XII French king since 1498, from the Valois dynasty. The campaign of 1499 resumed the Italian Wars of 1494-1559. He carried out reforms to reorganize the army, streamline the court, taxation, and coinage system. Date of Birth: 27.06.1462 Country: France

Biography of Louis XII of France

Louis XII was a French king who ruled from 1498 to 1515. He belonged to the Valois dynasty and was from the Orleans branch. His reign was dominated by the wars France fought in Italy during the Italian Wars from 1494 to 1559.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne
When Louis was born, it seemed unlikely that he would ever become the king of France. He was third in line to the throne, after his brother and his own father, the Duke of Orleans. His birth was met with skepticism, as his father was already 68 years old and not in good health. In his youth, Louis was more concerned with inheriting his grandmother's estate than the French throne. As the grandson of Valentina Visconti, he had a claim to the Duchy of Milan. However, his father had a long-standing feud with the Orleans dukes and saw Louis as a threat to his own power.

Marriage and Troubled Relationship
Louis was forced into a marriage with Jeanne, the daughter of Louis XI, in an attempt to secure his position. However, the marriage was not a happy one, and Jeanne's physical deformity only added to the tension. Louis tried to have the marriage annulled, claiming there had been no consummation, but was unsuccessful. Despite their strained relationship, Jeanne remained loyal and cared for Louis during his illness.

Ascension to the Throne and Reforms
After the death of Louis XI, Louis was released from prison and officially recognized as the heir to the throne. As king, he focused on reforming the military, judiciary, taxation, and monetary systems. Despite the financial difficulties caused by his predecessor's Italian campaign, Louis implemented policies that aimed to improve the country's economic situation. He also continued his quest to gain control over the Duchy of Milan and engaged in several military campaigns in Italy.

Italian Wars and Later Life
Louis led a successful invasion of Milan in 1499 and secured the city for France. However, his control over the region was short-lived as the Milanese rebelled the following year. In 1501, Louis conquered Naples and divided the kingdom with Ferdinand of Spain. The situation in Italy remained unstable, and conflicts between France and Spain continued. In 1503, Louis suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Garigliano, which led to a peace treaty with Spain. Despite his efforts, Louis could not establish a lasting French presence in Italy.

In terms of his personal life, Louis married two more times, but both marriages failed to produce a surviving male heir. He died in 1515, leaving the throne to his cousin, Francis I. Despite the challenges he faced during his reign, Louis XII is remembered as a king who implemented important reforms and played a significant role in the Italian Wars.