King of France: (1498-1515), the last of the Orleanist branch of the Valois Dynasty.
Born in Blois on June 27, 1462, son of Charles, duc d’Orléans. Louis was part of a rebellion against King Charles VIII of France and was imprisoned from 1487 to 1490. In a twist of irony, e ascended to the throne when a childless Charles VIII died and married Charles’ widow, Anne de Bretagne (1477-1514).
Louis proved to be a popular king, introducing reforms in the judicial system and reducing taxes. These reforms and his caring nature earned him the epithet Father of the People.
However, like his predecessor, he led several invasions into Italy until a coalition of powers forced him to retreat in 1513. After his wife Anne’s death in 1514, a deal was struck with King Henry VIII of England, and 52-year-old King Louis married King Henry’s 18-year-old sister, Mary Tudor (1496-1533), on October 9, 1514.
Less than three months later, Louis XII died on January 1, 1515 and was interred in Saint Denis Basilica.
He was succeeded by his daughter Claude’s husband, Francois I.