Louis XIII, born on 27 September 1601, became King of France and Navarre in 1610 following the assassination of his father, Henry IV. His mother, Marie de' Medici, served as regent during his minority. Louis ascended to the throne at a young age, and his mother's regency was marked by political mismanagement and intrigue, leading to his decision to take control in 1617. He exiled Marie and executed her influential favorites, including Concino Concini.Louis XIII was characterized by a reserved demeanor and relied on chief ministers, initially Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes, and later Cardinal Richelieu. Together, they established the Académie française and quelled noble revolts, systematically dismantling the power of rebellious lords and enforcing royal authority. The king's reign also involved conflicts with the Huguenots and Habsburg Spain, culminating in the establishment of a royal monopoly on force by the late 1620s.Born at the Palace of Fontainebleau, Louis was the eldest son of Henry IV and Marie de' Medici. He was raised under the supervision of a governess and faced challenges, including a speech impediment. His mother maintained control until 1617, despite Louis reaching maturity in 1614. Marie's reliance on unpopular advisors, particularly Concini, led to noble discontent and rebellion, which Louis ultimately suppressed.After the death of Luynes in 1621, Louis ruled by council, reconciling with his mother and negotiating the Treaty of Montpellier, which confirmed the Edict of Nantes. He dismissed several advisors due to dissatisfaction with their handling of foreign affairs, particularly regarding Spain. Cardinal Richelieu became the chief minister in 1624, guiding Louis towards absolute monarchy and leading France's involvement in the Thirty Years' War against the Habsburgs.Under Richelieu's influence, Louis XIII expanded French territories and strengthened the navy. He initiated colonial ventures in Morocco and New France, promoting peaceful coexistence between colonists and Indigenous peoples. His marriage to Anne of Austria in 1615 produced one surviving heir, Louis XIV, born in 1638 after years of unsuccessful pregnancies.Louis XIII's health declined in early 1643, and he died on 14 May of that year. His reign is noted for the consolidation of royal power and the establishment of France as a significant European power, with lasting impacts on French governance and culture.