Louis X of France

Louis X, born on 4 October 1289, became King of France in 1314 and King of Navarre as Louis I from 1305 until his death in 1316. He is recognized for his policies, such as the emancipation of serfs who could afford their freedom and the readmission of Jews into the kingdom. His reign as the French monarch was short and fraught with conflicts with the nobility, which were partly due to fiscal and centralization reforms introduced by his father’s administration, specifically by Grand Chamberlain Enguerrand de Marigny.

Louis X’s personal life was marred by scandal. His first wife, Margaret of Burgundy, was implicated in the Tour de Nesle affair, convicted of infidelity, and imprisoned until her death. Louis then married Clémence of Hungary in 1315. His death on 5 June 1316 left his pregnant wife, who later gave birth to John I, who survived only five days. Subsequently, Louis’ brother Philip succeeded to the throne as Philip V of France.