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Monthly Archives: December 2012
Francis II ( 1544-1560) The Brief
Married at 14, king at 15 and dead at 16, Francis did not live long enough to do much of anything. His wife was Mary, Queen of Scots and she towered above her short, sickly husband. He died of an … Continue reading
Catherine de Medici ( 1519-1589) The Conciliator
Catherine was married to Henry II and had to compete with his mistress Diane de Poitiers who ruled her lover. After ten years she finally produced a string of 10 children. Her secret motto was Hate and Wait. She lived … Continue reading
Henry II( 1519-1547)The Quiet Burn
Sullen in his youth he blossomed as king and merrily killed as many Protestants as he did hunting deer. He died in a joust when a lance pierced through his eye to his brain.
Francis I( 1494-1547) The Ambitious
Francis I was the first true renaissance monarch of France. His reign coincided with the Protestant reformation. His catholic paranoia led to increasingly violent persecution. Extravagant and sensual he left France richer in culture but economically weaker. He died of … Continue reading
Louis XII( 1462-1515) The Father of the People
A successful administrator and reformer. He had three wives but no children. In his gouty old age he died trying to get his last wife pregnant.
Anne of Britanny( 1477-1514) The Wealthy
Anne was the richest woman in Europe, she married Charles VIII and Louis XII. She ran the country for them both. She bore 14 children. Only three survived.
Charles VIII( 1470-1498) The Affable
One of the most foolish and incompetent monarchs of France. He wanted to conquer Italy. He failed miserably and bankrupted his kingdom. He died after a tennis game when he hit his head on a stone doorway lintel.
Louis XI( 1423-1483) The Universal Spider
Secretive, cunning, ruthless and superstitious, Louis XI worked the strings of governments like a harp. He loved plotting conspiracies.
Joan of Arc( 1412-1431) the Warrior Saint
Not a member of the Valois family, but she had a profound influence in their story. She saved the reign of Charles VII and he betrayed her. Joan had visions and heard voices to save France. She was divinely inspired … Continue reading
Charles VII( 1403-1461) The Victorious
Best known for being uncrowned and hopeless until his reign and kingdom were saved through the miracle of Joan of Arc and her unswerving dedication to him and her visions. Burned at the stake by the English, the self-serving Charles … Continue reading
Mark Evans Fine Art 