Books
Phase
Reign of Louis XII
1498–1515
Louis XII succeeded Charles VIII in 1498 and secured the annulment of his first marriage before marrying the widowed Anne of Brittany. Their union joined the French crown and Breton duchy while leaving unresolved questions about succession and Brittany’s future.
Louis pursued claims in Milan and Naples and involved France in successive phases of the Italian Wars. His reign combined popular administrative measures at home with costly dynastic and military ambitions abroad.