Louis XI (3 July 1423 – 30 August 1483), called the Prudent (French: le Prudent), was the King of France from 1461 to 1483.

He is the son of Charles VII of France and Mary of Anjou, a member of the House of Valois.

During his 22-year reign, Louis successfully expands royal power at the expense of the dukes.

Shrewd and often vicious, he spins webs of plot and conspiracy that earn him the nicknames the Cunning (Middle French: le rusé) and the Universal Spider (Middle French: l'universelle aragne).

His love for scheming and intrigue make him many enemies, including his father, his brother Charles de Valois, Duc de Berry, as well as his cousins Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy and Edward IV of England.

Louis prefers men of humble origin, and among his advisers are Olivier Le Daim, Louis Tristan L'Hermite, and Cardinal Balue.