Louis XIII, Louis XIV, & Louis XVLouis XIII, Louis XIV, & Louis XV

Louis XIII

Henry IV assassinated in 1610, son, Louis (XIII) took the throne at age 8

Mother, Marie de Medici (intense Italian Catholic), and Cardinal Richelieu were regents

Marie and Richelieu disagreed on many things, leading to brief civil wars, power struggles, and Marie's eventual exile.

Richelieu was pro-Catholic and very pro-France

Louis XIV

Became king at age 5, mother (Anne of Austria) and Cardinal Mazarin were regents

Dealt with rebellious nobles in the frondes1652—Louis (and Mazarin) put down the frondes1661—Mazarin died, Louis took over in realityBeginning of the Sun King

Versailles

Designed to show Louis’ greatness; the king was the heart of France

Elaborate decoration (Hall of Mirrors) and gardens (fountains, statues)

Became the center of court life (no longer Paris)Louis made the nobles come to Versailles and instituted

elaborate court rituals

Absolutist Policy

Agenda mostly included making war and peace, the regulation of religion, and the oversight of economic activity

New nobility of lawyers and administrators—owed their titles to Louis, not family lineage

Lettre de cachet—could send anyone to prison for any reason, without trial

1st and 2nd estates did not pay taxes, led to tax riotsoften conferred with councils and the regional judicial

bodies called the parlementsFamine; freezing winter 1709

Louis XIV and Religion

Repression of Jansenists1685—revoked the Edict of Nantes

Protestant pastors had 15 days to leave the country; many Huguenots left in response—economic loss for France

“One King, one law, one faith.”Why did Louis XIV oppose religious toleration? What

connection did he make between religious unity and political unity?

Louis XV

Grandson to XIV (age 5 at ascension in 1715)Had regents until 1726Seen as lazy and frivolousSpent $ on court life and wars, increased the national

debtMississippi Bubble disaster—currency doubtedAttempts at tax reform were squashed by nobles (who

hadn’t been paying taxes for a long time, and had become generally lulled by the court of Louis XIV)

Renewed the authority of the parlements…mistake??