Birth of King Charles VIII of France . Charles VIII was born in Amboise on the 30th June 1470. He was the eldest son of the conniving, reclusive and unpopular Louis XI and Charlotte of Savoy. Charles became king in August 1483, at the age of 13. Contemporary chroniclers described the young prince as pleasant and likeable (he was later dubbed “Charles the Affable”). But a few more critical writers suggested he was too flighty, impatient and ambitious to make a wise monarch. Charles was also physically ungainly, an attribute that may have contributed to his death. Described as a man of very short stature, and constant ill health, a big head, short crooked legs and having six toes on each foot. Despite these ungainly attributes, Charles had an almost unhealthy obsession for women, and followed these pleasures with great enthusiasm. In December 1491, Charles married Anne of Brittany. 14 year old Anne was not happy with the arranged marriage, and arrived at her wedding with two beds!