Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 9 October 1514
- The young bride Mary Tudor was allegedly among the most beautiful princesses in Europe, and even the famed philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam described her as “a most beautiful work of nature”. Unfortunately, King Louis XII didn't live three months after the wedding. He allegedly died of exhaustion in the bedchamber.
52-year-old French king Louis XII married the beautiful 18-year-old English princess Mary Tudor on this day in 1514.
This was his third wedding (his former two wives had both died previously). His new bride was 34 years younger than him, and it presented him a chance to finally conceive a son and heir (he only had two daughters from his previous marriages).
The young princess Mary Tudor, who then became Queen of France, was the sister of the famous King Henry VIII (who married six times). Mary Tudor was allegedly exceptionally beautiful. The Venetian ambassador described her as tall, slender, gray-eyed, and with waist-length hair. She was allegedly among the most beautiful princesses in Europe, and even the famed philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam described her as “a most beautiful work of nature”.
Unfortunately, Louis XII didn’t live even three months after the wedding. He allegedly died of exhaustion in the bedchamber. Despite his efforts, his marriage proved childless.
