LOUIS XII. (1462-1515). King of France from 149S to 1515. He was the son of Charles. Duke of Orleans, and was born at Blois, June 27, 1462.. During the reign of Charles V111. he set himself up in opposition to the Court and was imprisoned for three years (1487-90). Upon the death of Charles VIII. without issue, Louis suc ceeded to the throne, and in 1499 married Anne of Brittany, the widow of his predecessor, thus assuring the permanent union of Brittany with France. Ills reign was marked by widespread re firms in the finances and the administration of justice. carried out under the direction of his Chancellor, the astute Cardinal d'Amboise (q.v.). and the mildness of his rule and the prosperity which France enjoyed under him gave hint the title of Pere do people. In 1499 Louis. as grandson of Valentina Visconti, daughter of the famous Gian (:aleazzo. Duke of Milan, laid claim to that State, and in .August of the same year a French army of some 20.000 men invaded the country, overthrew Ludovieo Sforza, and in October took the city of Milan. By the Treaty of Granada, in November, 1500, Louis and Ferdinand of Aragon agreed upon the con quest and partition of the Kingdom of Naples. The victors quarreled over the spoils. and in 1503 the French were driven from Southern Italy by Gonsalvo de Cordova. In December, 150S, 1.0111s
joined the League of Cambrai, formed by the Pope against Venice, and including in addition Ferdinand of Aragon and the Emperor Maxi milian. In May of the following year Louis won the battle of Agnadello, which effectually crushed the power of Venice. The jealousy of his allies led to tile conclusion of the Holy League ), in which the Pope, Venice. Ferdinand. and Henry VIII. of England united against France. After a victory at Ravenna (April, 1512). where their heroic general, Gaston de Foix, fell. the French were driven out of Lombardy. At the same time Louis was hard pressed by Henry VIII., who landed in France with a strong army and won the Battle of the Spurs in August. 1513. As a part of the peace settlement, concluded in 1514 with the Emperor (who had joined the allies). Eng land. spain, and the Pope, Louis took (1514) for his third wife Mary Tudor. sister of the English King. He died January 1, 1515, leaving two daughters by Anne of Brittany. He was succeed ed by his son-in-law, Francis I. of Angouleme. Consult: Jehan d'Authou (1466-1527), Chro »iques de Louis XII., a contemporary account (Paris, 1889-95) : Claviere. Histoire de Louis XII. (lb., 1890 et seq.) Lacroix, Louis All. ct Jolty de Bretagne (i13., 1882).