During the last two or three years of his life Louis lived in great isolation, "seeing no one, speaking with no one, except such as he commanded," in the château of Plessis-les-Tours, that "spider's nest" bristling with watch towers, and guarded only by the most trusty servitors. A swarm of astrologers and physicians preyed upon his fears--and his purse. But, however foolish in his credulity, he still made his strong hand felt both in France and in Italy, remaining to the last "the terrible king." His fervent prayers were interrupted by instructions for the regency which was to follow. He died on the 30th of August 1483, and was buried, according to his own wish, without royal state, in the church at Cléry, instead of at St Denis. He left a son, his successor, Charles VIII., and two daughters. See the admirable résumé by Charles Petit-Dutaillis in Lavisse's _Histoire de France_, tome iv. pt. ii. (1902), and bibliographical indications given there. Michelet's wonderful depiction in his _Histoire de France_ (livres 13 to 17) has never been surpassed for graphic word-painting, but it is inaccurate in details, and superseded in scholarship. Of the original sources for the reign the _Lettres de Louis XI_. (edited by Charavay and Vaesen, 8 vols., 1883-1902), the celebrated _Mémoires_ of Philippe de Commines and the _Journal_ of Jean de Royl naturally come first. The great mass of literature on the period is analysed in masterly fashion by A. Molinier, _Sources de l'histoire de France_ (tome v. pp. 1-146), and to this exhaustive bibliography the reader is referred for further research. See also C. Hare, _The Life of Louis XI_. (London, 1907). (J. T. S.*)