Louis XI

Louis XI, known as the "Spider King," was King of France from 1461 to 1483. He is notable for strengthening the monarchy and consolidating power in France after the chaos of the Hundred Years' War. Louis was shrewd and politically savvy, using diplomacy, espionage, and sometimes force to eliminate his rivals and reduce the power of the nobility. His reign marked the rise of a centralized state, laying the groundwork for a more unified France. He also encouraged trade and economic development, contributing to the country's prosperity during the late Middle Ages.