Francis I (1497-1547) was King of France from 1515 to 1547.
Francis I is considered to be France's first Renaissance monarch. His reign saw France make immense cultural advances. In addition to such French writers as François Rabelais, his court supported Leonardo da Vinci, Benvenuto Cellini, and Andrea del Sarto.
Militarily and politically, Francis's reign was less successful; he tried and failed to become Holy Roman Emperor, and pursued a series of wars in Italy.