The Tree of Europe · Person

Louis XII of France

«the Father of the People»

King of France who intervened decisively in the Italian Wars. His reign combined dynastic ambition in Milan and Naples with reforms that strengthened his popularity within the kingdom.

1462 – 1515KingValois-Orléans · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Historical portraitLouis XII of FranceUnknown artist · Sixteenth centuryWikimedia CommonsPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 27 June 1462 Documented

Death: 1 January 1515 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Valois-Orléans · ES

Territories: France (ES) · Milan (ES) · Naples (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · France · Reign Pending review1498–1515Effective rule

Duke · Milan · Duchy Pending review1499–1499Effective rule

Duke · Milan · Duchy Pending review1500–1512Effective rule

King · Naples · Reign Pending review1501–1504Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Charles, Duke of Orléans · ESPending reviewMaria of Cleves · ESDocumented

Partners

Joan of France · ESPending reviewAnne of Brittany · ESDocumentedMary Tudor · ESPending review

Children

Claude of France · ESRenée of France · ES

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Louis XII of France. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1501

FranceKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- France · ESKing · Effective rule1498–1515
MilanDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Milan · ESDuke · Effective rule1500–1512
NaplesKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Naples · ESKing · Effective rule1501–1504

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

11 recorded claims · 7 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
27 June 1462
The authority record gives the birth as 1462-06-27.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludwig XII., Frankreich, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
1 January 1515
The authority record gives the death as 1515-01-01.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludwig XII., Frankreich, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (2/5 with a precise source)

FatherPending review
Charles, Duke of Orléans
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
MotherDocumented
Maria of Cleves
The authority record identifies Maria of Cleves (GND 1101497319) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludwig XII., Frankreich, König · Relationships: mother → GND 1101497319
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipPending review
Joan of France
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Anne of Brittany
The authority record identifies Anne of Brittany (GND 119020688) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludwig XII., Frankreich, König · Relationships: spouse → GND 119020688
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipPending review
Mary Tudor
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (0/4 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
King · France · 1498–1515
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Duke · Milan · 1499–1499
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Duke · Milan · 1500–1512
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
King · Naples · 1501–1504
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.