The Life and Times of Francis Bacon

Francis was just 20 when Louis died at age 53, reportedly worn out by his sexual exertions with his new 18-year-old wife Mary. He invaded Milan to press the long-standing French claim to the Duchy within mere months. Facing the Swiss at the Battle of Marignano later that year, Francis held personal command as his army crushed the vaunted Swiss pikemen. Most of Francis' education focused around the physical and the martial.