Louis XI : The Universal Spider

by Kendall, Paul Murray

• ISBN13: 9781842124116
• ISBN10: 1842124110
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc

Summary

By 1423, the year that Louis XI, King of France (1461-83) was born, much of France was ruled by the English. To unify France after the Hundred Years War under his rule ("I am France" he would proclaim to his rebellious vassals) became the idee fixe of Louis' life. The manner in which he largely succeeded in accomplishing this is the subject of this dazzling, and justly celebrated, book. Unhappily married to Margaret, daughter of James I of Scotland, at the age of 13 he devoted himself to political machinations and to learning the art of kingship. Influenced by malcontent nobles, and impatient to reign, he headed revolts against his father, Charles VII and was eventually exiled to Dauphine. Here he proved himself an able innovator and administrator setting up a chancellery, a university and most significantly reducing the nobles to obedience. After forging a secret alliance with Savoy he fled to the Netherlands ahead of his father's advancing army. When Charles VII died in 1461, Louis assumed the throne of France, and the country almost immediately degenerated into a state of anarchy. The gripping story of how Louis, known as "the universal spider" for his incessant machinations and intrigues and his network of communications and spies throughout the country, gradually subdued the nobles, secured more territory and unified France takes up the bulk of this fascinating book.

Table of Contents

Preface	7	(4)
Gillian Murray Kendall
Author's Preface	11	(2)
Prologue	13	(20)
Book I THE DAUPHIN
The Alien
The Child of Shame	33	(12)
The Unfilial Son	45	(7)
The Prince of Cutthroats	52	(10)
The Malcontent	62	(7)
The Exile
The Emperor of Dauphine	69	(4)
The Unchastened Rebel	73	(5)
Man Near the End of His Rope	78	(3)
The Refugee
The Grateful Nephew	81	(9)
The Squire of Genappe	90	(11)
Creature of Circumstance	101	(10)
Book II THE KING
False Start
Hasty Heart	111	(18)
A Pride of Princes	129	(13)
The League of the Public Weal	142	(13)
Montlhery	155	(15)
The Siege of Paris	170	(17)
``A Snapper-Up of Unconsidered Trifles''	187	(9)
The Spinning of the Strands
Peronne	196	(29)
Beauvais	225	(29)
The Weaving of the Web
The Germans	254	(20)
The English	274	(24)
The Swiss	298	(17)
The Gathering In
The Burgundian Inheritance	315	(18)
The Italian Question	333	(10)
Ruler and Realm	343	(13)
The Last Withdrawal	356	(15)
Epilogue	371	(7)
Appendices, Genealogical Table, Rulers and Principal Lords
Appendix I: The Reliability of Philippe de Commynes	378	(4)
Appendix II: The Speed of Transmission of News to Louis XI	382	(1)
Appendix III: The Dating of Louis XI's First Attack of Apoplexy	383	(1)
The House of France	384	(1)
Rulers and Principal Lords	385	(6)
Notes, Bibliography, Index
Notes	391	(58)
Bibliography	449	(8)
Index	457