King Charles VIII

Birth of King Charles VIII of France

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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!

Their marriage was not an overly happy one, however Anne would give birth to six children, who all died young.

On 7th April 1498, while on his way to watch a game of tennis, he struck his head on the lintel of a door.

After spending time watching the tennis and chatting to courtiers, Charles apparently collapsed.

The king was attended by physicians who insisted he not be moved.

Instead, the ailing monarch was laid on a makeshift bed made of timber slats, where he spent his final hours of life.

He was just 27 years old.

Charles VIII died without issue, having lost three infant sons and a daughter to illness in the previous four years.

The French throne passed to his cousin Louis of Orleans, who became Louis XII and ruled for 17 years.

As was customary for the time, the new king also married Charles’ 21-year-old widow, Anne of Brittany.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_VIII_of_France

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https://ko-fi.com/thetudorintruders

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Portrait of King Charles VIII of France~After Jean Perréal