Renaissance Warrior and Patron
The Reign of Francis I

A paperback of Knecht's comprehensive account of one of France's most important monarchs.

R. J. Knecht (Author)

9780521578851, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 December 1996

640 pages, 101 b/w illus.
24.6 x 18.9 x 3.3 cm, 1.13 kg

' … well structured and well written. Students and specialists alike are presented with a reasonable case for analysing Francis on his own terms and Knecht finds him deserving of a more significant place in French history than he has often been allowed'. History Review

This book offers a full and comprehensive account of one of the most colourful and formative reigns in French history, that of Francis I (1515–47). First published to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Francis's birth in 1994, this book is a completely revised version of Knecht's earlier study of the king, Francis I, which was for many years the standard work on the subject. That edition has been superseded by this substantially larger work, in which much new written and illustrative material is included. No other English work on the subject is as up-to-date or as authoritative.

List of plates
List of figures
Preface to new edition
List of abbreviations
1. Childhood and youth
2. France in 1515
3. King of France
4. Marignano and after
5. 'The most Christian king'
6. The king and his court
7. Humanism and heresy
8. Valois versus Habsburg
9. The sinews of war
10. Treason
11. Defeat and captivity
12. The king's return (1526–28)
13. The 'peace of the ladies' (1529)
14. Protestants and Turks
15. The threat of heresy
16. Montmorency's triumph (1535–36)
17. Domestic issues
18. Poverty and wealth
19. France overseas
20. Fruitless entente (1538–42)
21. Madrid and Fontainebleau
22. Patron of the arts
23. 'Father of letters'
24. The return to war (1542–44)
25. Gathering clouds (1544–47)
26. An absolute monarch?
27. 'Le roy est mort! Vive le roy!'
Epilogue
Note on coinage
Manuscript sources
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]