
Set against the turbulent closing years of the 15th century, this volume follows the young king Louis XI as he strives to restore royal authority over a fractured kingdom. With Normandy slipping from his grasp, the king must navigate a maze of rival dukes, uneasy treaties, and the looming threat of Burgundy and Brittany. The narrative captures his urgent letters, daring campaigns, and the delicate balance between force and diplomacy that defined his early reign.
The work also paints a vivid picture of the surrounding regions, especially the industrious towns of Liège and Dinant, whose metalworking and trade linked them tightly to France. Through detailed accounts of local economies, family customs, and cross‑border alliances, the author reveals how everyday life and larger political moves intertwined. Listeners will hear the clatter of forges, the whispers of court intrigue, and the human stories that shaped a pivotal chapter in French history.
Language
fr
Duration
~10 hours (578K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Mireille Harmelin, Eline Visser, Christine P. Travers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2013-07-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1798–1874
A vivid, passionate historian of France, he wrote history as a living drama shaped by ordinary people as well as kings and revolutions. His books helped turn the French past into a story that still feels urgent and human.
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