Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Louis XII

In Roman times Bononia (now "Boulogne-sur-Mer") was the major Roman port for trade and communication with Britain. Caesar's invasions of Britain started right here. From the 9th century on Boulogne was the capital of the "County of Boulogne". Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin I of Jerusalem, prominent figures in the First Crusade, were both Counts of Boulogne. The old town, located of a hill, is surrounded by ramparts since the 13th century. The origins of the building, now housing the library, go back to the 13th century, when this was the Hospice of St. Catherine, that was open for the pilgrims. In 1628 a Convent of the Annonciades, an order founded in 1501 by Joan de Valois (aka "Joan of France"), briefly the wife of King Louis XII of France.

Charles of Orléans, the medieval poet, lived here. He had inherited the château from his mother Valentina Visconti, widow of Louis de Valois, the brother of King Charles VI of France. In 1407 Louis had been assassinated on order of (his cousin) John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy. John the Fearless then was stabbed in 1419 by Tanneguy du Chastel. I had just found the grave of Tanneguy´s son some days ago in Cléry-Saint-André. Everything is connected.. Charles of Orléans, the poet, tried to revenge his father´s assasination. In 1415 he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Agincourt and spent 25 (twenty-five!) years as a hostage in England, before returning to Blois. This château became the favourite royal residence and the political capital of the kingdom under Charles' son, King Louis XII. Note the crowned porcupines (a large over the small door, a smaller one over the arch of the large). The porcupine stands as a symbol of King Louis XII. www.chateaudeblois.fr/?lang=en