# Louis XII — The Prince character guide

> Louis XII in The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Louis the Twelfth, Louis, Louis XII

**First appearance:** 0009-iii-concerning-mixed-principalities

## Who they are

French king who invaded Italy and lost Naples through poor policy.

## Relationships

### [Charles VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/charles_viii)

_family_

Charles VIII and Louis XII were successive kings of France, with Louis being Charles's cousin and successor.

## In the story

### [Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/office)

Machiavelli was sent to France to negotiate with him; his errors in statecraft are summarized in The Prince.

### [The Man and His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/the-man-and-his-works)

Noted as a ruler who ignored Machiavelli during his embassy to France.

### [III: Concerning Mixed Principalities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/iii-concerning-mixed-principalities)

King of France who lost Milan twice due to poor governance of a mixed principality.

### [IV: Why the Kingdom of Darius, Conquered by Alexander, Did Not Rebel Against the Successors of Alexander at His Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/iv-why-the-kingdom-of-darius-conquered-by-alexander-did-not-rebel-against-the-successors-of-alexander-at-his-death)

Referenced indirectly as the King of France, whose kingdom exemplifies the feudal model with ancient barons.

### [VII: Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired Either by the Arms of Others or by Good Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/vii-concerning-new-principalities-which-are-acquired-either-by-the-arms-of-others-or-by-good-fortune)

King of France; allied with Alexander VI and provided soldiers for Borgia's campaign in Romagna.

### [XII: How Many Kinds of Soldiery There Are, and Concerning Mercenaries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xii-how-many-kinds-of-soldiery-there-are-and-concerning-mercenaries)

Listed among those who overran Italy as a consequence of its reliance on mercenary arms.

### [XIII: Concerning Auxiliaries, Mixed Soldiery, and One’s Own](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xiii-concerning-auxiliaries-mixed-soldiery-and-one-s-own)

Son of Charles VII; abolished infantry and hired Swiss mercenaries, weakening France's military self-reliance.

### [XXV: What Fortune Can Effect in Human Affairs and How to Withstand Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxv-what-fortune-can-effect-in-human-affairs-and-how-to-withstand-her)

King of France, drawn into supporting Julius II's campaign.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/endnotes)

King of France, 'The Father of the People,' born 1462, died 1515; divorced Jeanne to marry Anne of Brittany.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/louis_xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters