Blois
[key], town, capital of Loir-et-Cher dept., central France, in
Orléanais, on the Loire River. A commercial and industrial center
with an outstanding trade in wines and brandies, it is also one of the most
historic towns of France. The counts of Blois emerged in the 10th cent. as
the most powerful feudal lords of France. Their line began with Thibaut the
Cheat, who by various means acquired Touraine and Chartres; his successors
added (11th–12th cent.) Champagne, Brie, and other lands, although in
the west they were checked by the counts of Anjou. The last count of Blois,
childless and heavily in debt, sold his fief to Louis, duc d'Orléans,
who took possession in 1397. With the accession (1498) of Louis' grandson,
Louis XII, as king of France, the countship passed to the crown as part of
Orléanais. The town was a favorite royal residence. Louis XII was
born in the Renaissance château there. Several States-General of
France were held in the château, notably in 1576–77 and in
1588; Henri, duc de Guise, was assassinated there in 1588. The Treaties of
Blois, signed in 1504–5, were a temporary settlement of the Italian
Wars.
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