Francis I of France, called the Father and Restorer of Letters, was crowned King of France in 1515 in the cathedral at Reims and reigned until 1547. Francis I is considered to be France's first Renaissance monarch. His reign saw France make immense cultural advances. He was a contemporary of King Henry VIII of England and of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, his great rivals, and Suleiman the Magnificent, his ally.

Francis's legacy is generally considered a mixed one. He achieved great cultural feats, but they came at the expense of France's economic well being. The persecution of the Protestants was to lead France into decades of civil war, which did not end until 1598 with the Edict of Nantes. Francis died at the Château de Rambouillet, and is interred with his first wife, Claude de France, Duchess of Bretagne, in Saint Denis Basilica. He was succeeded by his son, Henry II.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... _of_France View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Royalty • France • Reformation • Renaissance • Rulers • September 12 • Valois • Virgo • 16th Century • People