Louis XIV The Reign of Louis XIV

Main Idea: After a century of war and riots, France was ruled by Louis XIV, the most powerful monarch of his time.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW: Louis’s abuse of power led to revolution that would inspire the call for democratic government throughout the world.

In 1559, King Henry II of France died, leaving four young sons. Three of them ruled, one after the other, but all proved incompetent. The real power behind the throne during this period was their mother, Catherine de Medicis.

Catherine tried to preserve royal authority, but growing conflicts between Catholics and Huguenots—French Protestants—rocked the country. Between 1562-1598, Huguenots and Catholics fought eight religious wars. Chaos spreadh throughout France.

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu

After Henry IV’s death, his son, Louis XIII reigned. Louis was a weak king, but in 1624, he appointed a strong minister who made up for all of Louis’s weaknesses.

Richelieu took two steps to increase the power of the Bourbon monarchy. First, he moved against the Huguenots.

Second, he sought to weaken the nobles’ power.

He wanted to make France the strongest state in Europe.

Writers Turn Toward Skepticism

As France regained political power, a new French intellectual movement developed.

French thinkers had witnessed the religious wars with horror. They turned toward skepticism, the idea that nothing can ever be known for certain.

Louis XIV Comes to Power

The efforts of Henry IV and Richelieu to strengthen the French monarchy paved the way for the most powerful ruler in French history—Louis XIV. In his view, he and the state were one and the same.

He reportedly boasted, “L’etat, c’est moi,” meaning “I am the state.”

He was the strongest king of his time but was only 4 years old when he began his reign.

Louis, the Boy King

When Louis became king in 1643 after the death of his father, Louis XIII, the true ruler of France was Richelieu’s successor, Cardinal Mazarin. His greatest triumph? Ending the Thirty Years’ War in 1648.

Many people in France, particularly the nobles, hated Mazarin because he increased taxes and strengthened the central government.

The Sun King’s Grand Style

In his personal finances, Louis spent a fortune to surround himself with luxury. For example, each meal was a feast.

Someone once claimed Louis once devoured four plates of soup, a whole pheasant, a partridge in garlic sauce, two slices of ham, a salad, a plate of pastries, fruit, and hard-boiled eggs in one single sitting. He had 500 cooks, waiters, and other servants.

Every morning the chief valet woke Louis at 8:30. Outside the curtains of Louis’s canopy bed stood at least 100 of the most privileged nobles at court. They waited to dress him.

Let’s look!

Versailles: Symbol of Royal Power

Spared no expense to make it the most magnificent building in Europe.

Levee: major ritual for Louis XIV. High-ranking nobles competed for the honor of holding the royal washbasin or handing the king his diamond-buckled shoes.

They did this because they were exempt from paying taxes. Sweet deal.

Separate Classes

Why do you think the lives of the royalty in France were better documented than the commoners? Let’s respond

here:

Patron of the Arts

King Louis XIV supported a “splendid century” of the arts. The age of Louis XIV came to be known as the classical age of French drama.

Painting, music, architecture, and drama all prospered during his reign.

Louis XIV sponsored the French Academies which set high standards for both the arts and the sciences.

A Strong State Declines

Louis XIV ruled for 72 years…that’s 30 years longer than Philip II of Spain!

At the end of Louis reign, France was the strongest state in Europe. However, some of Louis’ decisions eventually caused France’s prosperity to erode.

Why did this happen?

Why the State Declines

Louis XIV placed most resources into wars meant to expand French borders. However, rival rulers joined forces to check these ambitions.

Led by the Dutch or the English, these alliances fought to maintain the balance of power. The goal was to make sure the power among European nations stayed balanced.

Louis XIV saw France’s Protestant minority as a threat to religious and political unity.

Huguenots: Protestants living in France

Because of the persecution, the Huguenots fled France and settled in countries like England, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and the Americas. They were among the hardest working and most prosperous of Louis’s subjects. Their loss was a serious blow to French economy.

Does this sound familiar? Explain.