Louis XI Birthday & Fun Facts | Kidadl

Louis XI Birthday & Fun Facts

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Louis XI Birthday Highlights

Birth Name
Louis XI
Place Of Birth
Bourges, France
Age
600 years old
Birth Date
July 3 1423

Louis XI Facts

Child Star?
no
Occupation
King of France
Education & Qualifications
Current Partner
Charlotte of Savoy
Children
Louis, Joachim, Louise, Anne, Joan, Louis II, Charles VIII of France, Francis
Parents
Charles VII of France, Marie of Anjou

About Louis XI 

Louis XI was born on July 3, 1423, in the city of Bourges in France.

He is popularly known as Le Prudent. After his father Charles VII, he became the King of France from 1461-1483.

Louis XI married Charlotte of Savoy who was the daughter of the Duke of Savoy named Louis. He was able to lead his very own political establishment. The kingdom, during Louis XI's rule, noticed his diplomatic activities and intriguing taste and gave him several nicknames. Some of the known ones happen to be The Universal Spider and The Cunning.

Louis XI was brought up in a stern and reserved household, this led him to become secretive, mysterious, and superstitious. But he also grew up to become very intelligent and well-informed. His subjects thought of him to be a bold warrior, a loyal king, as well as a cunning diplomat.

Childhood And Education

Louis XI was born on July 3, 1423, in the city of Bourges in France. His father was Charles VII, the King of France before Louis XI. During the Hundred Years War, the English captivated northern France, including Paris. This led Charles VII to be restricted to southern and central France only. Louis XI's grandfather was Yolande of Aragon, he drove the English out of France and is known to be an important personality of the royal family.

Louis XI was given birth at the Cathedral of St. Etienne. During his birth, the French lost against the English at Cravant. Thereafter, the English were ruling over a large area of France. After this defeat, the city of Bourges was in danger as a combined army of Anglo-Burgandians threatened the city.

Louis XI was born in Bourges but he spent most of his early years in the Loches in Touraine. In 1429, when he was still in Loches, he saw Joan of Arc who had just won over the English army at the Siege of Orleans. This instance became a turning point for the French army in the Hundred Years War. Joan of Arc brought home many more victories for France, two of the significant ones being the Battle of Patay and the Battle of Jargeau. However, after Joan's death, Louis XI became aware of the complexities of war and the weakness of the army of France.

He studied history, science as well as mathematics and was good at his academics. Other than academics, he also learned various skills, such as archery and horseback riding.

Family and Relationship

Louis XI married Margaret Stewart, who was the daughter of King James I of Scotland. Louis XI's father chose her to be the bride for political benefits and other diplomatic reasons. However, they got separated for unknown reasons.

After six years of separation, Louis XI married Charlotte of Savoy who was the daughter of the Duke of Savoy named Louis. He was able to lead his very own political establishment. They had eight children together, namely Louis, Joachim, Louise, Anne, Joan, Louis II, Charles VIII of France, and Francis, who became the Duke of Berry.

Career And Professional Highlights

Best Known For…

Louis XI was said to have many goals that were similar to his father's. One of the main objectives was to limit the control and power that the barons and dukes of France held. He aimed to succeed everyone in ruling France. Another objective was to make sure that the process of taxation and the tax system itself ran smoothly in the kingdom. When he chose men to work for him, it was not based on any kind of rank, he encouraged promising talent and skills in his workers. Louis XI managed to suppress the co-conspiracy that was planned by people who he considered his friends. Louis XI happened to be an open rebellion about such situations. One of the many associates who worked for Louis XI was Jacques Coeur, he was favored by the king for his intelligence and loyalty.

The spider king even allowed enterprising nobles to participate in trade activities without having to lose their privileges and rank of nobility. He always promoted efficiency and increased the number of offices in the government. Residents of the kingdom admired his humble actions as he spent a large amount of his time traveling within the town and surprising local officials. He would even investigate offices, conduct fairs, and promote everyone to engage in trade.

He was in charge of the royal postal roads in France that he developed in 1464. Louis XI managed to operate the relays on all the high roads of the town. His developments in communication networks and roadway development led him to become the universal spider!

Louis XI is best known for maintaining his father's legacy and strengthening France after the major event of the Hundred Years War. He is well known for the developments he made in the town. He even earned his father's respect when his work on military campaigns was on display for everyone to see.

Le Prudent made a plan to separate France from Burgandy and England. He was able to reimpose suzerainty over Picardy's Boulonnais, take control of France, annex the Anjou siblings, and inherit Maine in 1481.

Charity Work

There are no specific charitable contributions made by Louis XI. However, residents of the kingdom admired his humble actions as he spent a large amount of his time traveling within the town and surprising local officials. He would even investigate offices, conduct fairs, and promote everyone to engage in trade.

Louis XI’s Hobbies And Interests

Just like other kings, some of the many interests that Le Prudent had were hunting and archery.

Other Interesting Louis XI Facts And Trivia

  • Louis XI was born on July 3, 1423, in the city of Bourges in France.
  • He studied history, science, as well as mathematics and was good at his academics.
  • Even though he was born in Bourges, he spent most of his early years in the Loches in Touraine.
  • Louis XI married Charlotte of Savoy who was the daughter of the Duke of Savoy.
  • They had eight children together, namely Louis, Joachim, Louise, Anne, Joan, Louis II, Charles VIII of France, and Francis, who became the Duke of Berry.
  • The kingdom, during Louis XI's rule, noticed his diplomatic activities and intriguing taste and gave him several nicknames. Some of the known ones happen to be The Universal Spider and The Cunning.
  • Louis XI, the former King of France, passed away on August 30, 1483.

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Kidadl Team
Written By
Kidadl Team

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