14th May

Charles VIII

I thought it was time we had an anniversary from way back in time and just like London buses, 3 come along all at once

Today in 1483 saw the coronation of King Charles VIII of France. Styled as Charles L’Affable, he ascended to the throne at the age of 13 and up until he reached the age of 21, his older sister Anne and her husband Peter II, Duke of Bourbon, acted as regents.

 

Henri IV

Moving on to 1610, this day saw the assassination of Henri IV, bringing Louis XIII to the throne. Henri was greatly loved by his subjects, but that didn’t stop 3 separate attempts being made on his life. 

He was finally stabbed to death by a catholic fanatic, François Ravaillac, on the Rue de la Ferronnerie. He was succeeded by his son Louis XIII who at the time was just short of his 9^th birthday.

Louis XIII

Louis went by the name of Louis the Chaste, and there is no evidence that he ever kept mistresses as was common in ruling classes of the period. Indeed it is believed that he may well have been homosexual or at least bi-sexual, as he seemed more than close to his many male courtiers.

Louis XIV

He reigned for exactly 33 years to the day, when again on this 14^th May, he died of tuberculosis. He was succeeded by his 4 year old infant son, Louis XIV who has the distinction of being the longest ever ruling monarch in European history, going on to rule for 72 years. He eventually died of gangrene, aged 76, in September 1715.

Birthdays today include:

<--- English actress Francesca Annis, currently starring in ITV’s new Sunday night drama Home Fires (70)

Almost forgotten British soap actress and singer Martine McCutcheon (39)

English footballer, now plying his trade in Montreal, Nigel Reo-Coker (30) – you put yer right foot in, left foot out, you do the oke cokey and you turn around. That’s what it’s all about!!