[Born at Blois,in France, 1462. Died in Paris, 1515. Aged 53.]
The son of Charles, Duke of Orleans, and heir presumptive to the throne,
during the minority of Charles VIII. Disputing the Regency with the
mother of Charles VIII, he was defeated, and suffered severe
imprisonment for the space of three years. Liberated by King Charles in
person, he conceived a warm friendship for the young monarch, which was
never broken. In 1498, when Charles died without issue, Louis succeeded
to the French throne. His reign was fruitful of good to his country. He
forgave his enemies, re-established discipline and order in his army,
economized the resources of the state, and made the army of France
victorious abroad. He appointed the judges of the land for life, in
order to secure their integrity, encouraged literature and science, and
liberally rewarded men of talent. He was three times married, his last
wife being Mary, sister of Henry VIII. of England. During his reign,
Gaston de Foix fell at Ravenna, and the authority of the Pope was
suspended in France. Louis was of a frank and generous nature, and was
called “the Father of his People.”
[From the bronze half-figure in the Louvre.]