Charles VIII (1470-1498) was king of France from 1483 to 1498. A Valois king, Charles VIII helped introduce the culture of the Italian Renaissance to his country. However, his foreign policy began 65 years of conflict with the Holy Roman Empire over control of Italy.
Charles was born on June 30, 1470, in Amboise, France, near Tours. He succeeded his father, King Louis XI, at the age of 13. Good-natured, romantic, but sickly, Charles showed little ability to rule. His older sister, Anne of Beaujeu, and her husband, Pierre, ruled wisely on his behalf until the early 1490’s. In 1494, Charles invaded Italy. He easily defeated the divided and militarily weak Italians. But a coalition that included the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Venice, Milan, and Pope Alexander VI forced him to withdraw. Charles spent the rest of his rule planning another campaign against Italy.
On April 7, 1498, Charles accidentally struck his head on a door frame at the Royal Château of Amboise. He died a few hours later that same day. See also Louis XI ; Valois .
