Louis XIII 1601 – 1643, King of France 1610

Louis XIII 1601 - 1643.

King of France 1610 - 1643. Known as ‘The Just’ and son of Henri IV (who was stabbed to death in Paris) and Marie de Medicis.

Louis XIII was just nine years old when he became King. His mother acted as regent with Cardinal Richelieu as Prime Minister. Richelieu steadied the government restoring French influence with Italy and Holland, and humbling Austria and Spain.

With a strong government and centralisation of power, he fought the protestants who had rallied around the his brother, Gaston d’Orléans (siege of La Rochelle 1627 - 1628). A thirty year war with the House of Austria was brought to a close when Richelieu arranged the marriage of Louis to Anne of Austria.