Louis XI’s reign is marked by about fifty revolts in some of the « bonnes villes » of the kingdom such as Reims, Bourges and Angers as well as in towns newly conquered by the king such as Arras, Beaune, Dole or Perpignan. These uprisings, characterized by a great diversity, undermines the image of the harmonious relationship between the king and his towns that is traditionally depicted in historiography. Oppositions to the king’s power mainly take place within urban communities, with uprisings being the most visible and violent forms of dissent. The king, by chastising rebellions or by pardoning them, writes a narrative which focuses on the obedience owed to the monarch. Rebels are criminalized and their claims are quelled by a royal discourse which labels the uprisings as « rebellion and disobedience ». This narrative is executed by the king through repressions that can have various forms. Louis XI carries out a repressive policy on a large scale which, by punishing the rebellious town, allows him to reinforce his authority in his kingdom and impose his sovereignty in territories conquered by arms (in Roussillon, the Burgundies and Artois notably). On the scale of a town, the quelling of a rebellion can be the opportunity for some individuals and families to climb the social and political ladder by serving the prince and actively taking part in the return to order. The king needs these participants to maintain the obedience that pardon and grace cannot guarantee. Nevertheless, the king remains wary of the rebellious towns because dissent does not fade away.