[MR] Wikipedia: Death of Louis XI

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this date in 1483 Louis XI, King of France, died of cerebral
arteriosclerosis at Plessis-les-Tours in Touraine. Louis is often referred
to as "The Universal Spider" for his many plots and intrigues. His greatest
triumph was the destruction and annexation of the semi-independent Duchy of
Burgundy after Louis' chief rival Charles the Bold was killed in the Battle
of Nancy in 1477.

A biographical sketch of Louis XI is found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XI_of_France  .

Louis XI is a favorite villain in many plays, books, and films. None
portrayed him better than Robert Morley in the 1955 swashbuckler THE
ADVENTURES OF QUENTIN DURWARD. Morley's character is played with sly humor,
and he really makes an otherwise unconvincing (and historically innacurate)
film quite enjoyable. Morley should have had top billing, but that went to
Robert Taylor in the title role. If you can put up with the otherwise
wooden acting and improbable stunts, this film is a Scadian must-see for
Morley's over-the-top performance:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Quentin_Durward .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆