Louis XI 1423-83
King of France

The son of Charles VII and Mary of Anjou, he was born in Bourges, and as Dauphin of France he married Margaret of Scotland (daughter of King James I) in 1436. He made two unsuccessful attempts to depose his father, but eventually succeeded to the throne on his father's death (1461). Though able and intelligent, his craftiness and treachery earned him the title 'spider-king'. He survived a coalition against him (1465) and broke the power of the nobility, led by Charles, the Bold of Burgundy, who was killed in 1477. By 1483 Louis had succeeded in uniting most of France under one Crown (with the exception of Brittany), and laid the foundations for absolute monarchy in France. He actively encouraged trade and industry, cherished the arts and sciences, and founded three universities, but he spent his latter years in great misery, suffering superstitious terrors and excessive fear of death.