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Adrian VI
(1459–1523),Pope from 9 January 1522 until his death on 14 September 1523, was born Adriaan Florenszoon Dedal in Utrecht on 2 March 1459. He was educated by the Brethren ...
Albert of Brandenburg
(1490–1545), elector of the Holy Roman Empire, archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, and administrator of Halberstadt.He was the younger son (b. 28 June 1490) of John Cicero, elector of ...
Amboise
On the Loire, east of Tours; fortified site, lordship seat from 840; enclave of counts of Anjou in struggles with counts of Blois. Rebuilt in the early 12th century, then ...
Andrea Doria
(1466–1560)doge of Venice (1528–60), an outstanding soldier and admiral. He fought for Francis I and Charles V, expelled the French from Genoa in 1528, and took power himself, creating the ...
Anne of Brittany
(1477–1514),Duchess of Brittany and queen of France, was the daughter of Duke François II of Brittany and Marguerite de Foix. She succeeded her father on 9 September 1488, aged ...
Anne of France
(1460–1522),Regent of France, was the eldest daughter of King Louis XI and Charlotte of Savoy. After a long series of betrothals she married Pierre de Beaujeu, a younger brother ...
Antoine Duprat
(1463–1535),French cardinal, jurist, and statesman, born in Issoire. He trained as a lawyer, and in 1507 became the first president of the Parlement of Paris. He was employed by ...
Austrian Empire
House of Habsburg-LorraineNotesNames and TitlesThe imperial title, assumed by Francis I in August 1804, was Kaiser von Österreich; he retained the titles king of Hungary and of Bohemia.Hamann, B., ...
Bartolomeo d'Alviano
(1435–1515),Umbrian soldier who commanded Spanish troops in their defeat of the French in the battle of Garigliano (1503) and in 1507 entered the service of Venice, for which he ...
Battle of Austerlitz
A battle in 1805 near the town of Austerlitz (now in the Czech Republic), in which Napoleon defeated the Austrians and Russians.
battle of Marignano
In the early sixteenth century, the western passes of the Alps were guarded by Swiss and papal troops. In August 1515 an invading French army raised in Lyon and led ...
battle of Pavia
(24 February 1525)An engagement in the Habsburg–Valois wars, which involved the papacy and England supporting Charles V against Francis I. In October 1524 the French invaded Italy and took Milan, and ...
Benvenuto Cellini
(1500–71),Italian goldsmith and sculptor, the most renowned goldsmith of his day. His work is characterized by its elaborate virtuosity. His autobiography is famous for its racy style and its vivid ...
Bibliothèque Nationale
The national library of France, in Paris, which receives a copy of every book and periodical published in France.
Blaise de Vigénère
(1523–96),French diplomat and cryptographer, born in Saint-Pourçain. After a brief period in the secretariat of Francis I in 1540, Vigenère entered the service of the duke of Nevers, for ...
Blois
Southeast of Orléans, its castle dominates the Loire. The town was important owing to river commerce and religious houses. The 10th century, when the Jewish community settled, saw the donjon ...
Bourbon
The surname of a branch of the royal family of France. The Bourbons ruled France from 1589, when Henry IV succeeded to the throne, until the monarchy was overthrown in 1848, and reached the peak of ...
Calais
A port in northern France. Captured by Edward III in 1347 after a long siege, it remained an English possession until it was retaken by the French in 1558.
Caracciolo family
An ancient Neapolitan family, reputedly of Byzantine origin. The most prominent of the many branches of the family were the Caracciolo of Avellino, who became counts of Gallerate (1539) and ...
Catherine de' Medici
(1519–89)Queen of France. The wife of Henry II of France, Catherine ruled as regent (1560–74) during the minority reigns of their three sons, Francis II (reigned 1559–60), Charles IX (reigned ...
