King louis xiv mini biography video

Quick facts for kids Louis XIV
Portrait of Louis XIV by Hyacinthe Rigaud, c. 1701
King depose France(more...)
Reign	14 May 1643 – 1 September 1715
Coronation	7 June 1654 Reims Cathedral
Predecessor	Louis XIII
Successor	Louis XV
Regent	Anne of Austria (1643–1651)
Chief ministers
Born	(1638-09-05)5 September 1638 Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
Died	1 September 1715(1715-09-01) (aged 76) Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
Burial	9 Sept 1715 Basilica of Saint-Denis
Spouse
Issue among others...	Illegitimate: Marie Anne, Princess of Conti and Peep through of La Vallière Louis, Count robust Vermandois Louis Auguste, Duke of Maine Louis César, Count of Vexin Louise Françoise, Princess of Condé Louise Marie Anne, Mademoiselle de Tours Louise, Baroness sharing La Queue Françoise Marie, Duchess scope Orléans Louis Alexandre, Count of Toulouse
Full name French: Louis-Dieudonné de France
House	Bourbon
Father	Louis XIII
Mother	Anne of Austria
Religion	Catholicism (Gallican Rite)
Signature

Louis XIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis high-mindedness Great (Louis le Grand) succeed the Sun King (le Roi Soleil), was King of Writer from May 14, 1643 while his death in 1715.

Diadem reign of 72 years take precedence 110 days is the fastest of any sovereign in representation whose date is verifiable. Even if Louis XIV's France was metaphorical of the Age of Authoritarianism in Europe, the King encircled himself with a variety taste significant political, military, and ethnic figures, such as Bossuet, Sauce, Le Brun, Le Nôtre, Composer, Mazarin, Molière, Racine, Turenne, forward Vauban.

Louis began his personal must of France in 1661, aft the death of his principal minister, the Cardinal Mazarin.

Unsullied adherent of the concept type the divine right of kings, Louis continued his predecessors' pierce of creating a centralised induct governed from the capital. Recognized sought to eliminate the remains of feudalism persisting in attributes of France; by compelling spend time at members of the nobility attain inhabit his lavish Palace presentation Versailles, he succeeded in ingratiating the aristocracy, many members dressingdown which had participated in influence Fronde during his minority.

Close to these means he became call of the most powerful Gallic monarchs and consolidated a formula of absolute monarchy in Writer that endured until the Gallic Revolution. Louis also enforced homogeneity of religion under the Gallican Catholic Church. His revocation make a fuss over the Edict of Nantes harmonize with the rights of the Calvinist Protestant minority and subjected them to a wave of dragonnades, effectively forcing Huguenots to quit or convert, as well chimp virtually destroying the French Church community.

During Louis's long reign, Author emerged as the leading Dweller power and regularly asserted spoil military strength.

A conflict opposed to Spain marked his entire youth, while during his personal dawn on, the kingdom took part form three major continental conflicts, glut against powerful foreign alliances: birth Franco-Dutch War, the Nine Years' War, and the War a mixture of the Spanish Succession. In resign from, France also contested shorter wars, such as the War make out Devolution and the War show consideration for the Reunions.

Warfare defined Louis's foreign policy and his innermost self shaped his approach. Impelled next to "a mix of commerce, repayment, and pique", he sensed defer war was the ideal blessing to enhance his glory. Obligate peacetime, he concentrated on foresight for the next war. Blooper taught his diplomats that their job was to create shrewd and strategic advantages for honesty French military.

Upon his dying in 1715, Louis XIV left-wing his great-grandson and successor, Gladiator XV, a powerful kingdom, supposing in major debt after illustriousness War of the Spanish Method that had waged on on account of 1701.

Significant achievements during his monarchy which would go on progress to have a wide influence coarse the early modern period work into the Industrial Revolution suggest until today, include the expression of the Canal du Protocol, the patronage of artists, extremity the founding of the Land Academy of Sciences.

Early years

Louis XIV was born on 5 September 1638 in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.

He was given name Louis Dieudonné (Louis the God-given) and bore the traditional give a ring of French heirs apparent: Dauphin. At the time of ruler birth, his parents had antiquated married for 23 years. Enthrone mother had experienced four stillbirths between 1619 and 1631. Beseeching contemporaries thus regarded him monkey a divine gift and ruler birth a miracle of God.

Louis's relationship with his mother was uncommonly affectionate for the adjourn.

Contemporaries and eyewitnesses claimed put off the Queen would spend pull back her time with Louis. Both were greatly interested in race and theatre, and it keep to highly likely that Louis dash these interests through his cessation relationship with his mother. Embrace was his mother who gave Louis his belief in greatness absolute and divine power dispense his monarchical rule.

During his puberty, he was taken care go along with by the governesses Françoise brim Lansac and Marie-Catherine de Senecey.

In 1646, Nicolas V comfort Villeroy became the young king's tutor. Louis XIV became company with Villeroy's young children, principally François de Villeroy, and disjointed his time between the Palais-Royal and the nearby Hotel deceive Villeroy.

Minority and the Fronde

Accession

Further information: Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659)

Sensing imminent cool, Louis XIII decided to be in breach of his affairs in order pull the spring of 1643, as Louis XIV was four length of existence old.

In defiance of wont, which would have made Potentate Anne the sole regent break on France, the king decreed give it some thought a regency council would plan on his son's behalf. Potentate lack of faith in King Anne's political abilities was diadem primary rationale. He did, but, make the concession of appointing her head of the council.

Louis XIII died on 14 Can 1643, and on 18 Might, Queen Anne had her husband's will annulled by the Parlement de Paris (a judicial target comprising mostly nobles and pump up session clergymen).

This action abolished nobility regency council and made Anne the sole Regent of Writer. Anne exiled some of make more attractive husband's ministers (Chavigny, Bouthilier), turf she nominated Brienne as smear minister of foreign affairs.

Anne kept back the direction of religious guideline strongly in her hand up in the air 1661; her most important national decisions were to nominate Vital Mazarin as her chief clergyman and the continuation of unconditional late husband's and Cardinal Richelieu's policy, despite their persecution slap her, for the sake enjoy yourself her son.

Anne wanted stop by give her son absolute force and a victorious kingdom. Coffee break rationales for choosing Mazarin were mainly his ability and sovereign total dependence on her, cutting remark least until 1653 when she was no longer regent. Anne protected Mazarin by arresting stomach exiling her followers who conspired against him in 1643: righteousness Duke of Beaufort and Marie de Rohan.

She left say publicly direction of the daily polity of policy to Cardinal Mazarin.

The best example of Anne's adroitness and the partial change import her heart towards her catalogue Spain is seen in present keeping of one of Richelieu's men, the Chancellor of Author Pierre Séguier, in his picket. Séguier was the person who had interrogated Anne in 1637, treating her like a "common criminal" as she described bake treatment following the discovery make certain she was giving military secrets and information to Spain.

Anne was virtually under house seize for a number of length of existence during her husband's rule. Provoke keeping him in his tent stake, Anne was giving a dream up that the interests of Author and her son Louis were the guiding spirit of standup fight her political and legal affairs. Though not necessarily opposed consent Spain, she sought to call a halt to the war with a Gallic victory, in order to origin a lasting peace between authority Catholic nations.

The Queen also gave a partial Catholic orientation forbear French foreign policy.

This was felt by the Netherlands, France's Protestant ally, which negotiated unmixed separate peace with Spain strike home 1648.

In 1648, Anne and Mazarin successfully negotiated the Peace closing stages Westphalia, which ended the Xxx Years' War. Its terms beyond doubt Dutch independence from Spain, awarded some autonomy to the diversified German princes of the Immaterial Roman Empire, and granted Sverige seats on the Imperial Counter and territories to control nobleness mouths of the Oder, River, and Weser rivers.

France, quieten, profited most from the community. Austria, ruled by the Royalty Emperor Ferdinand III, ceded perimeter Habsburg lands and claims think about it Alsace to France and assumed her de facto sovereignty flabbergast the Three Bishoprics of Metz, Verdun, and Toul. Moreover, earnest to emancipate themselves from Hapsburg domination, petty German states necessary French protection.

This anticipated distinction formation of the 1658 Confederation of the Rhine, leading succumb to the further diminution of Kingly power.

Early acts

As the Thirty Years' War came to an gully, a civil war known by the same token the Fronde (after the slings used to smash windows) erupted in France. It effectively unmanageable France's ability to exploit prestige Peace of Westphalia.

Anne enthralled Mazarin had largely pursued magnanimity policies of Cardinal Richelieu, augmenting the Crown's power at rendering expense of the nobility flourishing the Parlements. Anne was spare concerned with internal policy puzzle foreign affairs; she was efficient very proud queen who insisted on the divine rights unsaved the King of France.

All that led her to advocate systematic forceful policy in all guess relating to the King's power, in a manner that was much more radical than nobleness one proposed by Mazarin.

Say publicly Cardinal depended totally on Anne's support and had to dump all his influence on loftiness Queen to temper some replica her radical actions. Anne inside any aristocrat or member castigate parliament who challenged her will; her main aim was engender a feeling of transfer to her son chiefly absolute authority in the affairs of finance and justice.

Of a nature of the leaders of greatness Parlement of Paris, whom she had jailed, died in prison.

The Frondeurs, political heirs of ethics disaffected feudal aristocracy, sought homily protect their traditional feudal privileges from the increasingly centralized kingly government. Furthermore, they believed their traditional influence and authority was being usurped by the latterly ennobled bureaucrats (the Noblesse towards the back Robe, or "nobility of nobility robe"), who administered the principality and on whom the empire increasingly began to rely.

That belief intensified the nobles' resentment.

In 1648, Anne and Mazarin attempted to tax members of depiction Parlement de Paris. The brothers refused to comply and orderly all of the king's heretofore financial edicts burned. Buoyed beside the victory of Louis, duc d’Enghien (later known as le Grand Condé) at the Struggle against of Lens, Mazarin, on Monarch Anne's insistence, arrested certain men and women in a show of inquire.

The most important arrest, raid Anne's point of view, apprehensive Pierre Broussel, one of influence most important leaders in integrity Parlement de Paris.

People in France were cantankerous about the expansion of kingly authority, the high rate rule taxation, and the reduction interrupt the authority of the Parlement de Paris and other resident representative entities.

Paris erupted funny story rioting as a result, distinguished Anne was forced, under harsh pressure, to free Broussel. More than that, on the night of 9–10 February 1651, when Louis was twelve, a mob of make you see red Parisians broke into the sovereign august palace and demanded to hunch their king. Led into grandeur royal bed-chamber, they gazed act Louis, who was feigning panic, were appeased, and then softly departed.

The threat to interpretation royal family prompted Anne converge flee Paris with the go on the blink and his courtiers.

Shortly thereafter, description conclusion of the Peace perfect example Westphalia allowed Condé's army identify return to aid Louis beam his court. Condé's family was close to Anne at delay time, and he agreed memo help her attempt to extract the king's authority.

The queen's army, headed by Condé, contrived the rebels in Paris; position rebels were under the governmental control of Anne's old playfellow Marie de Rohan. Beaufort, who had escaped from the denounce where Anne had incarcerated him five years before, was nobleness military leader in Paris, get somebody on your side the nominal control of Conti.

After a few battles, on the rocks political compromise was reached; honourableness Peace of Rueil was sign, and the court returned get Paris.

Unfortunately for Anne, her evenhanded victory depended on Condé, who wanted to control the ruler and destroy Mazarin's influence. Site was Condé's sister who second him to turn against rectitude queen.

After striking a tie with her old friend Marie de Rohan, who was acceptably to impose the nomination state under oath Charles de l'Aubespine, marquis welloff Châteauneuf as minister of offend, Anne arrested Condé, his relative Armand de Bourbon, Prince keep in good condition Conti, and the husband consume their sister Anne Genevieve space Bourbon, duchess of Longueville.

That situation did not last large, and Mazarin's unpopularity led walk the creation of a unification headed mainly by Marie off-putting Rohan and the duchess wink Longueville. This aristocratic coalition was strong enough to liberate influence princes, exile Mazarin, and gather a condition of virtual manor arrest on Queen Anne.

All these events were witnessed by Gladiator and largely explained his following distrust of Paris and high-mindedness higher aristocracy.

"In one take the edge off, Louis' childhood came to proposal end with the outbreak near the Fronde. It was yell only that life became nervous and unpleasant – a god`s will meted out to many line in all ages – nevertheless that Louis had to have reservations about taken into the confidence stir up his mother and Mazarin slide political and military matters distinctive which he could have rebuff deep understanding".

"The family house became at times a near-prison when Paris had to mistrust abandoned, not in carefree outings to other chateaux but advise humiliating flights". The royal descendants was driven out of Town twice in this manner, post at one point Louis Cardinal and Anne were held go downwards virtual arrest in the queenlike palace in Paris.

The Fronde years planted in Louis elegant hatred of Paris and swell consequent determination to move fan of the ancient capital though soon as possible, never test return.

Just as the first Fronde (the Fronde parlementaire of 1648–1649) ended, a second one (the Fronde des princes of 1650–1653) began.

Unlike that which preceded it, tales of sordid plot and half-hearted warfare characterized that second phase of upper-class rebellion. To the aristocracy, this insurgence represented a protest for probity reversal of their political deterioration from vassals to courtiers. Side was headed by the head of state French nobles, among them Louis' uncle Gaston, Duke of Orléans and first cousin Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier, known as la Grande Mademoiselle; Princes of the Blood much as Condé, his brother Armand de Bourbon, Prince of Conti, and their sister the Colleague of Longueville; dukes of legitimised royal descent, such as Henri, Duke of Longueville, and François, Duke of Beaufort; so-called "foreign princes" such as Frédéric Maurice, Duke of Bouillon, his kin Marshal Turenne, and Marie slither Rohan, Duchess of Chevreuse; endure scions of France's oldest families, such as François de Glacial Rochefoucauld.

Queen Anne played the uppermost important role in defeating rendering Fronde because she wanted be acquainted with transfer absolute authority to pass son.

In addition, most explain the princes refused to look as if with Mazarin, who went have a break exile for a number fall foul of years. The Frondeurs claimed get at act on Louis' behalf, present-day in his real interest, argue with his mother and Mazarin.

Queen Anne had a very close pleasure with the Cardinal, and visit observers believed that Mazarin became Louis XIV's stepfather by clever secret marriage to Queen Anne.

However, Louis' coming-of-age and succeeding coronation deprived them of blue blood the gentry Frondeurs' pretext for revolt. Greatness Fronde thus gradually lost vapor and ended in 1653, what because Mazarin returned triumphantly from fugitive. From that time until consummate death, Mazarin was in drop of foreign and financial plan without the daily supervision very last Anne, who was no mortal regent.

During this period, Louis hew down in love with Mazarin's niece Marie Mancini, but Anne skull Mazarin ended the king's ardour by sending Mancini away give birth to court to be married snare Italy.

While Mazarin might receive been tempted for a strand period of time to join his niece to the Wanting of France, Queen Anne was absolutely against this; she necessary to marry her son be proof against the daughter of her kinsman, Philip IV of Spain, financial assistance both dynastic and political rationale.

Mazarin soon supported the Queen's position because he knew defer her support for his administrate and his foreign policy depended on making peace with Espana from a strong position endure on the Spanish marriage. As well, Mazarin's relations with Marie Mancini were not good, and illegal did not trust her be obliged to support his position.

All concede Louis' tears and his supplications to his mother did shriek make her change her put up with. The Spanish marriage would suitably very important both for close-fitting role in ending the clash between France and Spain, since many of the claims distinguished objectives of Louis' foreign code for the next 50 time would be based upon that marriage, and because it was through this marriage that honourableness Spanish throne would ultimately emerging delivered to the House virtuous Bourbon (which holds it cause problems this day).

Personal reign and reforms

Coming of age and early reforms

Louis XIV was declared to plot reached the age of mass on 7 September 1651.

Be familiar with the death of Mazarin, loaded March 1661, Louis assumed characteristic control of the reins trap government and astonished his mind-numbing by declaring that he would rule without a chief minister: "Up to this moment Rabid have been pleased to confer the government of my state to the late Cardinal. Give birth to is now time that Comical govern them myself.

You [he was talking to the secretaries and ministers of state] desire assist me with your counsels when I ask for them. I request and order sell something to someone to seal no orders excluding by my command . . . I order you put together to sign anything, not securely a passport . . . without my command; to decode account to me personally wad day and to favor thumb one".

Louis was able delve into capitalize on the widespread regular yearning for law and snap off, that resulted from prolonged freakish wars and domestic civil contest, to further consolidate central civil authority and reform at honesty expense of the feudal lords and ladies. Praising his ability to determine and encourage men of power, the historian Chateaubriand noted: "it is the voice of virtuoso of all kinds which sounds from the tomb of Louis".

Louis began his personal reign farm administrative and fiscal reforms.

Top 1661, the treasury verged worry bankruptcy. To rectify the place, Louis chose Jean-Baptiste Colbert chimp Controller-General of Finances in 1665. However, Louis first had lambast neutralize Nicolas Fouquet, the Manager of Finances, in order chance on give Colbert a free in close proximity. Although Fouquet's financial indiscretions were not very different from Mazarin's before him or Colbert's back him, his ambition was harassment to Louis.

He had, provision example, built an opulent château at Vaux-le-Vicomte where he diverted Louis and his court satisfactorily, as if he were wealthier than the king himself. Rank court was left with excellence impression that the vast sums of money needed to facilitate his lifestyle could only fake been obtained through embezzlement leverage government funds.

Fouquet appeared eager deliver to succeed Mazarin and Richelieu mosquito assuming power, and he foolishly purchased and privately fortified influence remote island of Belle Île.

These acts sealed his condemn. Fouquet was charged with larceny. The Parlement found him blameworthy and sentenced him to runaway. However, Louis altered the decision to life imprisonment and go stale Fouquet's post.

With Fouquet dismissed, Sauce reduced the national debt degree more efficient taxation.

The primary taxes included the aides current douanes (both customs duties), primacy gabelle (a tax on salt), and the taille (a challenge on land). The taille was reduced at first; financial civil service were forced to keep public accounts, auctioning certain taxes as an alternative of selling them privately calculate a favoured few, revising inventories and removing unauthorized exemptions (for example, in 1661 only 10 per cent from the converse domain reached the King).

Ameliorate proved difficult because the taille was levied by officers virtuous the Crown who had purchased their post at a buzz price: punishment of abuses automatically lowered the value of nobleness post. Nevertheless, excellent results were achieved: the deficit of 1661 turned into a surplus bear hug 1666. The interest on honesty debt was reduced from 52 million to 24 million livres.

The taille was reduced to 42 million draw 1661 and 35 million in 1665; finally the revenue from curved taxation progressed from 26 million emphasize 55 million. The revenues of nobility royal domain were raised take from 80,000 livres in 1661 fall foul of 5.5 million livres in 1671. Wealthy 1661, the receipts were cost to 26 million British pounds, incline which 10 million reached the store.

The expenditure was around 18 million pounds, leaving a deficit revenue 8 million. In 1667, the lift up receipts had risen to 20 million pounds sterling, while expenditure difficult fallen to 11 million, leaving natty surplus of 9 million pounds.

To fund the reorganized and enlarged grey, the panoply of Versailles, person in charge the growing civil administration, position king needed a good tie of money.

Finance had again been the weak spot carry the French monarchy: methods fine collecting taxes were costly forward inefficient; direct taxes passed check the hands of many halfway officials; and indirect taxes were collected by private concessionaries, cryed tax farmers, who made copperplate substantial profit. Consequently, the conditions always received far less mystify what the taxpayers actually paid.

The main weakness arose from erior old bargain between the Romance crown and nobility: the dying might raise taxes without accede if only he refrained unfamiliar taxing the nobles.

Only authority "unprivileged" classes paid direct toll, and this term came calculate mean the peasants only, owing to many bourgeois, in one lessen or another, obtained exemptions.

The usage was outrageously unjust in throwing a heavy tax burden hold the poor and helpless. Succeeding, after 1700, the French ministers who were supported by Louis' secret wife Madame De Consort, were able to convince depiction king to change his business policy.

Louis was willing insufficient to tax the nobles nevertheless was unwilling to fall mess up their control, and only prominence the close of his rule, under extreme stress of conflict, was he able, for say publicly first time in French representation, to impose direct taxes tutor the aristocratic elements of authority population.

This was a as one toward equality before the code and toward sound public money management, but so many concessions see exemptions were won by high society and bourgeois that the correct lost much of its value.

Louis and Colbert also had varied plans to bolster French mercantilism and trade. Colbert's mercantilist supervision established new industries and pleased manufacturers and inventors, such on account of the Lyon silk manufacturers coupled with the Gobelins manufactory, a fabricator of tapestries.

He invited manufacturers and artisans from all finish off Europe to France, such on account of Murano glassmakers, Swedish ironworkers, attend to Dutch shipbuilders. In this heap, he aimed to decrease far-out imports while increasing French exports, hence reducing the net efflux of precious metals from France.

Louis instituted reforms in military direction through Michel le Tellier contemporary the latter's son François-Michel evaluate Tellier, Marquis de Louvois.

They helped to curb the autonomous spirit of the nobility, glorious order on them at courtyard and in the army. Exhausted were the days when generals protracted war at the boundaries while bickering over precedence be first ignoring orders from the crown and the larger politico-diplomatic report. The old military aristocracy (the Noblesse d'épée, or "nobility break into the sword") ceased to possess a monopoly over senior warlike positions and rank.

Louvois, value particular, pledged to modernize significance army and re-organize it review a professional, disciplined, well-trained intensity. He was devoted to position soldiers' material well-being and amour-propre, and even tried to primordial campaigns.

Relations with the major colonies

Legal matters did not escape Louis' attention, as is reflected always the numerous "Great Ordinances" fair enough enacted.

Pre-revolutionary France was trim patchwork of legal systems, become conscious as many legal customs similarly there were provinces, and brace co-existing legal traditions—customary law regulate the north and Roman civilized law in the south. Influence Grande Ordonnance de Procédure Civile of 1667, also known variety the Code Louis, was out comprehensive legal code attempting put in order uniform regulation of civil way throughout legally irregular France.

Centre of other things, it prescribed baptismal, marriage and death records outward show the state's registers, not justness church's, and it strictly cautious the right of the Parlements to remonstrate. The Code Louis played an important part instruct in French legal history as authority basis for the Napoleonic jus civile 'civil law', from which many modern licit codes are, in turn, derived.

One of Louis' more infamous decrees was the Grande Ordonnance port les Colonies of 1685, as well known as the Code Noir ("black code").

Although it conclusive slavery, it attempted to humanize the practice by prohibiting honourableness separation of families. Additionally, necessitate the colonies, only Roman Catholics could own slaves, and these had to be baptised.

Louis ruled through a number of councils:

• Conseil d'en haut ("High Council", in reference to the most important matters go rotten state)—composed of the king, say publicly crown prince, the controller-general bad buy finances, and the secretaries disrespect state in charge of distinct departments.

  The members of walk council were called ministers remaining state.

• Conseil des dépêches ("Council eradicate Messages", concerning notices and managerial reports from the provinces).
• Conseil put a bet on Conscience ("Council of Conscience", to about religious affairs and episcopal appointments).
• Conseil royal des finances ("Royal Assembly of Finances") who was armed by the "chef du conseil des finances" (an honorary column in most cases)—this was tending of the few posts identical the council that was open to the high aristocracy.

Early wars in the Low Countries

Main articles: War of Devolution and Franco-Dutch War

Spain

The death of his maternal penny-a-liner King Philip IV of Espana, in 1665, precipitated the Hostilities of Devolution.

In 1660, Prizefighter had married Philip IV's progeny daughter, Maria Theresa, as way of being of the provisions of nobleness 1659 Treaty of the Chain. The marriage treaty specified wind Maria Theresa was to abandon all claims to Spanish area for herself and all multifarious descendants. Mazarin and Lionne, nevertheless, made the renunciation conditional marvel the full payment of a-one Spanish dowry of 500,000 écus.

The dowry was never compensated and would later play grand part persuading his maternal supreme cousin Charles II of Espana to leave his empire take on Philip, Duke of Anjou (later Philip V of Spain), illustriousness grandson of Louis XIV nearby Maria Theresa.

The War of Delegating did not focus on probity payment of the dowry; to some extent, the lack of payment was what Louis XIV used gorilla a pretext for nullifying Mare Theresa's renunciation of her claims, allowing the land to "devolve" to him.

In Brabant (the location of the land fulfil dispute), children of first marriages traditionally were not disadvantaged wishywashy their parents' remarriages and immobilize inherited property. Louis' wife was Philip IV's daughter by her highness first marriage, while the original king of Spain, Charles II, was his son by systematic subsequent marriage.

Thus, Brabant presumably "devolved" to Maria Theresa, bountiful France a justification to beat up the Spanish Netherlands.

Relations with magnanimity Dutch

During the Eighty Years' Contention with Spain, France supported interpretation Dutch Republic as part worry about a general policy of conflicting Habsburg power.

Johan de Witt, Dutch Grand Pensionary from 1653 to 1672, viewed them likewise crucial for Dutch security wallet against his domestic Orangist opponents. Louis provided support in representation 1665-1667 Second Anglo-Dutch War on the other hand used the opportunity to authorities the War of Devolution reaction 1667.

This captured Franche-Comté instruction much of the Spanish Netherlands; French expansion in this element was a direct threat appoint Dutch economic interests.

The Dutch open talks with Charles II depict England on a common skilful front against France, leading get at the Triple Alliance, between England, the Dutch and Sweden.

Rectitude threat of an escalation pointer a secret treaty to check out Spanish possessions with Emperor Leopold, the other major claimant memorandum the throne of Spain, leak out Louis to relinquish many forged his gains in the 1668 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

Louis placed petite reliance on his agreement connote Leopold and as it was now clear French and Nation aims were in direct war, he decided to first yell the Republic, then seize class Spanish Netherlands.

This required parting up the Triple Alliance; agreed paid Sweden to remain half-arsed and signed the 1670 Clandestine Treaty of Dover with River, an Anglo-French alliance against magnanimity Dutch Republic. In May 1672, France invaded the Republic, verified by Münster and the Electorate of Cologne.

Rapid French advance snappy to a coup that up-end De Witt and brought William III to power.

Leopold looked on French expansion into the Rheinland as an increasing threat, specially after their seizure of rank strategic Duchy of Lorraine happening 1670. The prospect of Land defeat led Leopold to trace alliance with Brandenburg-Prussia on 23 June, followed by another adapt the Republic on 25th. Though Brandenburg was forced out objection the war by the June 1673 Treaty of Vossem, see the point of August an anti-French alliance was formed by the Dutch, Espana, Emperor Leopold and the Aristo of Lorraine.

The French alliance was deeply unpopular in England, stomach only more so after probity disappointing battles against Michiel operate Ruyter's fleet.

Charles II be beaten England made peace with representation Dutch in the February 1674 Treaty of Westminster. However, Gallic armies held significant advantages occupy their opponents; an undivided chance, talented generals like Turenne, Condé and Luxembourg and vastly respectable logistics. Reforms introduced by Louvois, the Secretary of War, helped maintain large field armies put off could be mobilised much optional extra quickly, allowing them to highquality offensives in early spring heretofore their opponents were ready.

The Sculptor were still forced to holiday from most of the Country Republic; something that deeply shock Louis and he retreated extremity St Germain for while, spin no one, except a passive intimates, were allowed to worry him.

French military advantages legitimate them however to hold their ground in Alsace and significance Spanish Netherlands while retaking Franche-Comté. By 1678, mutual exhaustion separately to the Treaty of City, which was generally settled occupy France's favour and allowed Gladiator to intervene in the Scanian War. Despite military defeat, her majesty ally Sweden regained much another what they had lost in the shade the 1679 treaties of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Fontainebleau and Lund imposed pay Denmark–Norway and Brandenburg.

Yet Louis' first two goals, the wound of the Dutch Republic mount the conquest of the Country Netherlands, had failed.

Louis was distrust the height of his motivation, but at the cost familiar uniting his opponents; this appended as he continued his escalation. In 1679, he dismissed tiara foreign minister Simon Arnauld, marquess de Pomponne, because he was seen as having compromised extremely much with the allies.

Prizefighter maintained the strength of diadem army, but in his go by series of territorial claims disliked using military force alone. Somewhat, he combined it with acceptable pretexts in his efforts make somebody's day augment the boundaries of sovereignty kingdom. Contemporary treaties were expressly phrased ambiguously.

Louis established honourableness Chambers of Reunion to find out the full extent of rulership rights and obligations under those treaties.

Silver coin of Prizefighter XIV, dated 1674
Obverse. Significance Latin inscription is LVDOVICVS XIIII D[EI] GRA[TIA] ("Louis XIV, fail to see the grace of God").	Reverse. Magnanimity Latin inscription is FRAN[CIÆ] Haul out NAVARRÆ REX 1674 ("King remind you of France and of Navarre, 1674").

Cities and territories, such as Luxemburg and Casale, were prized care their strategic positions on character frontier and access to stinging waterways. Louis also sought City, an important strategic crossing describe the left bank of ethics Rhine and theretofore a Graceful Imperial City of the Religious Roman Empire, annexing it spreadsheet other territories in 1681.

Though a part of Alsace, City was not part of Habsburg-ruled Alsace and was thus crowd ceded to France in class Peace of Westphalia.

Following these annexations, Spain declared war, precipitating decency War of the Reunions. Nonetheless, the Spanish were rapidly disappointed because the Emperor (distracted insensitive to the Great Turkish War) debased them, and the Dutch matchless supported them minimally.

By character Truce of Ratisbon, in 1684, Spain was forced to go along with in the French occupation complete most of the conquered territories, for 20 years.

Louis' policy get on to the Réunions may have peer France to its greatest reputation and power during his different, but it alienated much conjure Europe.

This poor public guidance was compounded by French events off the Barbary Coast final at Genoa. First, Louis locked away Algiers and Tripoli, two Barbary pirate strongholds, bombarded to acquire a favourable treaty and primacy liberation of Christian slaves. Flash, in 1684, a punitive similarity was launched against Genoa greet retaliation for its support avoidable Spain in previous wars.

Allowing the Genoese submitted, and class Doge led an official program of apology to Versailles, Writer gained a reputation for bloodshed and arrogance. European apprehension insensible growing French might and glory realisation of the extent see the dragonnades' effect (discussed below) led many states to dispense with their alliances with France.

Hence, by the late 1680s, Author became increasingly isolated in Europe.

Non-European relations and the colonies

Further information: French colonial empire and Arts in early modern France

French colonies multiplied in Continent, the Americas, and Asia before Louis' reign, and French explorers made important discoveries in Northerly America.

In 1673, Louis Adventurer and Jacques Marquette discovered rank Mississippi River. In 1682, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, followed the Mississippi to rank Gulf of Mexico and presumed the vast Mississippi basin provide Louis' name, calling it Louisiane. French trading posts were additionally established in India, at Chandernagore and Pondicherry, and in probity Indian Ocean at Île Scotch.

Throughout these regions Louis tell Colbert embarked on an achieve program of architecture and urbanism meant to reflect the styles of Versailles and Paris tell the 'gloire' of the realm.

Meanwhile, diplomatic relations were initiated upset distant countries.

In 1669, Suleiman Aga led an Ottoman delegation to revive the old Franco-Ottoman alliance. Then, in 1682, aft the reception of the African embassy of Mohammed Tenim pulse France, Moulay Ismail, Sultan have a high regard for Morocco, allowed French consular abstruse commercial establishments in his realm. In 1699, Louis once pick up where you left off received a Moroccan ambassador, Abdallah bin Aisha, and in 1715, he received a Persian ministry led by Mohammad Reza Beg.

From farther afield, Siam dispatched nickelanddime embassy in 1684, reciprocated indifference the French magnificently the cotton on year under Alexandre, Chevalier elicit Chaumont.

This, in turn, was succeeded by another Siamese legation under Kosa Pan, superbly established at Versailles in 1686. Prizefighter then sent another embassy difficulty 1687, under Simon de concert Loubère, and French influence grew at the Siamese court, which granted Mergui as a marine base to France. However, illustriousness death of Narai, King reproach Ayutthaya, the execution of emperor pro-French minister Constantine Phaulkon, trip the Siege of Bangkok populate 1688 ended this era admire French influence.

France also attempted make available participate actively in Jesuit missions to China.

To break character Portuguese dominance there, Louis dead heat Jesuit missionaries to the entourage of the Kangxi Emperor update 1685: Jean de Fontaney, Violinist Bouvet, Jean-François Gerbillon, Louis Behave Comte, and Claude de Visdelou. Louis also received a Sinitic Jesuit, Michael Shen Fu-Tsung, batter Versailles in 1684. Furthermore, Louis' librarian and translator Arcadio Huang was Chinese.

Height of power

Centralisation confront power

By the early 1680s, Prizefighter had greatly augmented French change in the world.

Domestically, prohibited successfully increased the influence gradient the crown and its right over the church and nobility, thus consolidating absolute monarchy trudge France.

Louis initially supported traditional Gallicanism, which limited papal authority shamble France, and convened an Meeting of the French clergy squash up November 1681.

Before its crushing eight months later, the Body had accepted the Declaration endowment the Clergy of France, which increased royal authority at say publicly expense of papal power. Let alone royal approval, bishops could shout leave France, and appeals could not be made to excellence pope. Additionally, government officials could not be excommunicated for data committed in pursuance of their duties.

Although the king could not make ecclesiastical law, perfect papal regulations without royal accord were invalid in France. Unsurprisingly, the Pope repudiated the Declaration.

By attaching nobles get on the right side of his court at Versailles, Prizefighter achieved increased control over rank French aristocracy. According to recorder Philip Mansel, the king rank the palace into:

an irresistible mix of marriage market, employment means and entertainment capital of patrician Europe, boasting the best amphitheatre, opera, music, gambling, and (most important) hunting.

Apartments were built command somebody to house those willing to compromise court to the king.

Notwithstanding, the pensions and privileges essential to live in a entertain appropriate to their rank were only possible by waiting forever on Louis. For this based on reason, an elaborate court ritual was created wherein the king became the centre of attention cranium was observed throughout the date by the public. With wreath excellent memory, Louis could confirmation see who attended him go off court and who was away, facilitating the subsequent distribution noise favours and positions.

Another object Louis used to control sovereignty nobility was censorship, which much involved the opening of copy to discern their author's be of the same opinion of the government and paper. Moreover, by entertaining, impressing, ride domesticating them with extravagant good fortune and other distractions, Louis scream only cultivated public opinion translate him, but he also irrefutable the aristocracy remained under consummate scrutiny.

Louis's extravagance at Versailles lingering far beyond the scope reproach elaborate court rituals.

He took delivery of an African elephant as a gift from prestige king of Portugal. He pleased leading nobles to live shakeup Versailles. This, along with blue blood the gentry prohibition of private armies, prevented them from passing time eyesight their own estates and ancestry their regional power bases, getaway which they historically waged shut down wars and plotted resistance address royal authority.

Louis thus forced and seduced the old martial aristocracy (the "nobility of grandeur sword") into becoming his celebratory courtiers, further weakening their conquer. In their place, he tiring commoners or the more currently ennobled bureaucratic aristocracy (the "nobility of the robe"). He supposed that royal authority thrived better-quality surely by filling high be bothered and administrative positions with these men because they could excellence more easily dismissed than high society of ancient lineage and rooted influence.

It is believed deviate Louis's policies were rooted advance his experiences during the Fronde, when men of high onset readily took up the insurrectionary cause against their king, who was actually the kinsman strain some. This victory over rectitude nobility may thus have confirmed the end of major mannerly wars in France until excellence French Revolution about a hundred later.

France as the pivot signify warfare

Under Louis, France was excellence leading European power, and nearly wars pivoted around its belligerence.

No European state exceeded branch out in population, and no companionship could match its wealth, essential location, and very strong outdated army. It had largely out of favour the devastation of the Cardinal Years' War. Its weaknesses numbered an inefficient financial system renounce was hard-pressed to pay select its military adventures, and interpretation tendency of most other wits to gang up against it.

During Louis's reign, France fought trine major wars: the Franco-Dutch Hostilities, the War of the Cohort of Augsburg, and the Fighting of the Spanish Succession.

At hand were also two lesser conflicts: the War of Devolution highest the War of the Reunions. The wars were very precious but defined Louis XIV's far-out policy, and his personality created his approach. Impelled "by exceptional mix of commerce, revenge, most recent pique," Louis sensed that warfare was the ideal way taking place enhance his glory.

In harmony he concentrated on preparing aim for the next war. He categorical his diplomats that their function was to create tactical deliver strategic advantages for the Gallic military. By 1695, France hold much of its dominance however had lost control of ethics seas to England and Holland, and most countries, both Church and Catholic, were in amalgamation against it.

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, France's leading combatant strategist, warned Louis in 1689 that a hostile "Alliance" was too powerful at sea. Stylishness recommended that France fight show by licensing French merchants ships to privateer and seize foe merchant ships while avoiding warmth navies.

Edict of Fontainebleau

Main article: Pronouncement of Fontainebleau

Louis decided to have one`s knife into Protestants and revoke the 1598 Edict of Nantes, which awarded Huguenots political and religious publication.

He saw the persistence exert a pull on Protestantism as a disgraceful token of royal powerlessness. After dividing up, the Edict was the hardnosed concession of his grandfather Chemist IV to end the longstanding French Wars of Religion. Potent additional factor in Louis' reasonable was the prevailing contemporary Indweller principle to assure socio-political weighing machine, cuius regio, eius religio ("whose realm, his religion"), the inclusive that the religion of primacy ruler should be the belief of the realm (as to begin with confirmed in central Europe induce the Peace of Augsburg stand for 1555).

Responding to petitions, Louis at or in the beginning excluded Protestants from office, awkward the meeting of synods, squinting churches outside of Edict-stipulated areas, banned Protestant outdoor preachers, sports ground prohibited domestic Protestant migration.

Unwind also disallowed Protestant-Catholic intermarriages cling on to which third parties objected, pleased missions to the Protestants, view rewarded converts to Catholicism. That discrimination did not encounter undue Protestant resistance, and a consistent conversion of Protestants occurred, self-same among the noble elites.

In 1681, Louis dramatically increased his agony of Protestants.

The principle have a high regard for cuius regio, eius religio for the most part had also meant that subjects who refused to convert could emigrate, but Louis banned exodus and effectively insisted that many Protestants must be converted. Second, following the proposal of René de Marillac and the Aristocrat of Louvois, he began sentence dragoons in Protestant homes.

Though this was within his academic rights, the dragonnades inflicted hard financial strain on Protestants stake atrocious abuse. Between 300,000 esoteric 400,000 Huguenots converted, as that entailed financial rewards and amnesty from the dragonnades.

On 15 Oct 1685, Louis issued the Give it some thought of Fontainebleau, which cited depiction redundancy of privileges for Protestants given their scarcity after loftiness extensive conversions.

The Edict stand for Fontainebleau revoked the Edict recall Nantes and repealed all ethics privileges that arose therefrom. Impervious to his edict, Louis no somebody tolerated the existence of Objector groups, pastors, or churches bring to fruition France. No further churches were to be constructed, and those already existing were to note down demolished.

Pastors could choose either exile or secular life. Those Protestants who had resisted exchange were now to be baptized forcibly into the established church.

Historians have debated Louis' reasons intend issuing the Edict of Fontainebleau. He may have been search to placate Pope Innocent XI, with whom relations were powerful and whose aid was accountable to determine the outcome have possession of a succession crisis in influence Electorate of Cologne.

He hawthorn also have acted to Emperor Leopold I and recuperate international prestige after the broadcast defeated the Turks without Louis' help. Otherwise, he may intelligibly have desired to end honourableness remaining divisions in French kingdom dating to the Wars in this area Religion by fulfilling his positioning oath to eradicate heresy.

Many historians have condemned the Edict exert a pull on Fontainebleau as gravely harmful guard France.

In support, they summon the emigration of about 200,000 highly skilled Huguenots (roughly tune quarter of the Protestant natives, or 1% of the Nation population) who defied royal decrees and fled France for many Protestant states, weakening the Country economy and enriching that always Protestant states. On the conquer hand, there are historians who view this as an enlargement.

They argue that most range France's preeminent Protestant businessmen very last industrialists converted to Catholicism opinion remained.

What is certain is delay reaction to the Edict was mixed. Even while French All-inclusive leaders exulted, Pope Innocent XI still argued with Louis greater than Gallicanism and criticized the give out of violence.

Protestants across Aggregation were horrified at the discourse of their co-religionists, but uttermost Catholics in France applauded say publicly move. Nonetheless, it is certain that Louis' public image nickname most of Europe, especially effect Protestant regions, was dealt elegant severe blow.

In the end, still, despite renewed tensions with position Camisards of south-central France enjoy the end of his hegemony, Louis may have helped assure that his successor would fail to remember fewer instances of the religion-based disturbances that had plagued potentate forebears.

French society would generously change by the time recompense his descendant, Louis XVI, justify welcome tolerance in the kiln of the 1787 Edict be more or less Versailles, also known as probity Edict of Tolerance. This rehabilitated to non-Catholics their civil up front and the freedom to idolize openly.

With the advent give an account of the French Revolution in 1789, Protestants were granted equal forthright with their Roman Catholic counterparts.

Nine Years' War

Main article: Nine Years' War

Causes and conduct of representation war

The Nine Years' War, which lasted from 1688 to 1697, initiated a period of sink in Louis's political and considerate fortunes.

It arose from several events in the Rhineland. Have control over, in 1685, the Elector PalatineCharles II died. All that remained of his immediate family was Louis's sister-in-law, Elizabeth Charlotte. Germanic law ostensibly barred her dismiss succeeding to her brother's holdings and electoral dignity, but view was unclear enough for reasons in favour of Elizabeth City to have a chance nominate success.

Conversely, the princess was clearly entitled to a rupture of the family's personal possessions. Louis pressed her claims know land and chattels, hoping decency latter, at least, would rectify given to her. Then, amuse 1688, Maximilian Henry of State, Archbishop of Cologne, an flat tire of France, died. The archbishopric had traditionally been held provoke the Wittelsbachs of Bavaria, on the other hand the Bavarian claimant to substitute Maximilian Henry, Prince Joseph Humourist of Bavaria, was at avoid time not more than 17 years old and not regular ordained.

Louis sought instead nurture install his own candidate, Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg, to verify the key Rhenish state remained an ally.

In light of diadem foreign and domestic policies amid the early 1680s, which were perceived as aggressive, Louis's exploits, fostered by the succession crises of the late 1680s, actualized concern and alarm in yet of Europe.

This led outdo the formation of the 1686 League of Augsburg by illustriousness Holy Roman Emperor, Spain, Sverige, Saxony, and Bavaria. Their expressed intention was to return Writer to at least the environs agreed to in the Pact of Nijmegen. Emperor Leopold I's persistent refusal to convert illustriousness Truce of Ratisbon into splendid permanent treaty fed Louis's fears that the Emperor would twist on France and attack magnanimity Reunions after settling his development in the Balkans.

Another event Gladiator found threatening was England's Celebrated Revolution of 1688.

Although Sought-after James II was Catholic, cap two Anglican daughters, Mary tube Anne, ensured the English go out a Protestant succession. But during the time that James II's son James Francis Edward Stuart was born, proceed took precedence in succession halt his sisters. This seemed open to the elements herald an era of Wide monarchs in England.

Protestant patricians called on the Dutch Lord William III of Orange, grandson of Charles I of England, to come to their project. He sailed for England catch on troops despite Louis's warning range France would regard it monkey a provocation. Witnessing numerous desertions and defections, even among those closest to him, James II fled England.

Parliament declared influence throne vacant, and offered timehonoured to James's daughter Mary II and his son-in-law and nephew William. Vehemently anti-French, William (now William III of England) egg on his new kingdoms into warfare, thus transforming the League for Augsburg into the Grand Confederation. Before this happened, Louis anticipated William's expedition to England tote up absorb his energies and those of his allies, so noteworthy dispatched troops to the Rheinland after the expiry of monarch ultimatum to the German princes requiring confirmation of the Break of Ratisbon and acceptance use your indicators his demands about the method crises.

This military manoeuvre was also intended to protect emperor eastern provinces from Imperial break-in by depriving the enemy drove of sustenance, thus explaining decency preemptive scorched earth policy pursue in much of southwestern Frg (the "Devastation of the Palatinate").

French armies were generally victorious available the war because of Regal commitments in the Balkans, Gallic logistical superiority, and the adequate of French generals such type Condé's famous pupil, François Henri de Montmorency-Bouteville, duc de Luxemburg.

He triumphed at the Battles of Fleurus in 1690, Steenkerque in 1692, and Landen give back 1693, although, the battles compliant to be of little check strategic consequence. Mostly due run into the nature of late 17th-century warfare.

Although an attempt to assert James II failed at authority Battle of the Boyne girder 1690, France accumulated a fibre of victories from Flanders clear the north, Germany in class east, and Italy and Espana in the south, to blue blood the gentry high seas and the colonies.

Louis personally supervised the captures of Mons in 1691 give orders to Namur in 1692. Luxembourg gave France the defensive line bring in the Sambre by capturing City in 1693. France also overran most of the Duchy donation Savoy after the battles a choice of Marsaglia and Staffarde in 1693. While naval stalemate ensued back end the French victory at influence Battle of Beachy Head reclaim 1690 and the Allied depress at Barfleur-La Hougue in 1692, the Battle of Torroella shore 1694 exposed Catalonia to Sculptor invasion, culminating in the silver screen of Barcelona.

The Dutch captured Pondichéry in 1693, but fine 1697 French raid on magnanimity Spanish treasure port of Port, Spain, yielded a fortune eliminate 10,000,000 livres.

In July 1695, say publicly city of Namur, occupied care for three years by the Sculptor, was besieged by an in partnership army led by William Troika.

Louis XIV ordered the wonder destruction of a Flemish sweep to divert the attention model these troops. This led around the bombardment of Brussels, crush which more than 4,000 adroitness were destroyed, including the full city centre. The strategy abortive, as Namur fell three weeks later, but harmed Louis XIV's reputation: a century later, Cards deemed the bombardment "as fell as it was useless."

Peace was broached by Sweden in 1690.

By 1692, both sides considerably wanted peace, and secret bipartite talks began, but to thumb avail. Louis tried to disclose up the alliance against him by dealing with individual opponents but did not achieve crown aim until 1696 when excellence Savoyards agreed to the Petition of Turin and switched sides.

Thereafter, members of the Matching part of Augsburg rushed to birth peace table, and negotiations take to mean a general peace began smudge earnest, culminating in the Calm of Ryswick of 1697.

Peace prescription Ryswick

Main article: Peace of Ryswick

The Peace of Ryswick ended excellence War of the League disregard Augsburg and disbanded the Great Alliance.

By manipulating their rivalries and suspicions, Louis divided coronet enemies and broke their power.

The treaty yielded many benefits apply for France. Louis secured permanent Country sovereignty over all of Elsass, including Strasbourg, and established nobility Rhine as the Franco-German overlook (as it is to that day). Pondichéry and Acadia were returned to France, and Louis's de facto possession of Saint-Domingue was recognised as lawful.

Nonetheless, he returned Catalonia and pinnacle of the Reunions.

French military control might have allowed him greet press for more advantageous footing. Thus, his generosity to Espana with regard to Catalonia has been read as a freedom to foster pro-French sentiment stall may ultimately have induced Depressing Charles II to name Louis's grandson Philip, Duke of Anjou, heir to the Spanish presiding officer.

In exchange for financial agreement, France renounced its interests cover the Electorate of Cologne see the Palatinate. Lorraine, which locked away been occupied by the Romance since 1670, was returned nominate its rightful Duke Leopold, even if with a right of shyness to the French military. William and Mary were recognised variety joint sovereigns of the Country Isles, and Louis withdrew brace for James II.

The Nation were given the right feign garrison forts in the Romance Netherlands that acted as efficient protective barrier against possible Land aggression. Though in some good word the Treaty of Ryswick haw appear a diplomatic defeat send for Louis since he failed surrender place client rulers in management of the Palatinate or say publicly Electorate of Cologne, he sincere in fact fulfil many consume the aims laid down infringe his 1688 ultimatum.

In common man case, peace in 1697 was desirable to Louis, since Writer was exhausted from the outlay of the war.

War of picture Spanish Succession

Main article: War pattern the Spanish Succession

Causes and advertising to the war

By the repulse of the Peace of Ryswick, the Spanish succession had antique a source of concern difficulty European leaders for well occupy forty years.

King Charles II ruled a vast empire inclusive Spain, Naples, Sicily, Milan, nobility Spanish Netherlands, and numerous Romance colonies. He produced no breed, however, and consequently had thumb direct heirs.

The principal claimants brand the throne of Spain belonged to the ruling families model France and Austria. The Nation claim derived from Louis XIV's mother Anne of Austria (the older sister of Philip IV of Spain) and his little woman Maria Theresa (Philip IV's issue daughter).

Based on the enrol of primogeniture, France had glory better claim as it originated from the eldest daughters play a part two generations. However, their defection of succession rights complicated marksman. In the case of Part Theresa, nonetheless, the renunciation was considered null and void attack to Spain's breach of circlet marriage contract with Louis.

Squeeze up contrast, no renunciations tainted illustriousness claims of Emperor Leopold I's son Charles, Archduke of Oesterreich, who was a grandson detail Philip III's youngest daughter Region Anna. The English and Land feared that a French propound Austrian-born Spanish king would sin the balance of power president thus preferred the Bavarian Empress Joseph Ferdinand, a grandson give evidence Leopold I through his prime wife Margaret Theresa of Espana (the younger daughter of Prince IV).

In an attempt to keep war, Louis signed the Pact of the Hague with William III of England in 1698.

This agreement divided Spain's Romance territories between Louis's son le Grand Dauphin and Archduke River, with the rest of illustriousness empire awarded to Joseph Ferdinand. William III consented to pension the Dauphin's new territories not far from become part of France like that which the latter succeeded to tiara father's throne.

The signatories, still, omitted to consult the somebody of these lands, and Physicist II was passionately opposed achieve the dismemberment of his commonwealth. In 1699, he re-confirmed circlet 1693 will that named Patriarch Ferdinand as his sole successor.

Six months later, Joseph Ferdinand acceptably. Therefore, in 1700, Louis take up William III concluded a new partitioning agreement, the Treaty manage London.

This allocated Spain, nobility Low Countries, and the Country colonies to the Archduke. Decency Dauphin would receive all last part Spain's Italian territories. Charles II acknowledged that his empire could only remain undivided by bequeathing it entirely to a Frenchwoman or an Austrian. Under force from his German wife, Tree Anna of Neuburg, Charles II named Archduke Charles as consummate sole heir.

Acceptance of the volition declaration of Charles II and consequences

On his deathbed in 1700, Physicist II of Spain unexpectedly disparate his will.

The clear manifestation of French military superiority courier many decades before this hour, the pro-French faction at decency court of Spain, and smooth Pope Innocent XII convinced him that France was more be in the offing to preserve his empire integral. He thus offered the wide-ranging empire to the Dauphin's shortly son Philip, Duke of Anjou, provided it remained undivided.

Anjou was not in the straight line of French succession, so his accession would not build a Franco-Spanish union. If Anjou refused, the throne would ability offered to his younger relative Charles, Duke of Berry. Granting the Duke of Berry declined it, it would go disturb Archduke Charles, then to loftiness distantly related House of Savoy if Charles declined it.

Louis was confronted with a difficult option.

He could agree to spruce partition of the Spanish opulence and avoid a general combat, or accept Charles II's determination and alienate much of Collection. He may initially have bent inclined to abide by probity partition treaties, but the Dauphin's insistence persuaded him otherwise. To boot excessively, Louis's foreign minister, Jean-Baptiste Sauce, marquis de Torcy, pointed exceed that war with the Monarch would almost certainly ensue not Louis accepted the partition treaties or Charles II's will.

Blooper emphasised that, should it knock down to war, William III was unlikely to stand by Author since he "made a alliance to avoid war and sincere not intend to go argue with war to implement the treaty". Indeed, in the event quite a few war, it might be higher quality to be already in situation of the disputed lands.

Ultimately, therefore, Louis decided to expend Charles II's will. Philip, Earl of Anjou, thus became Prince V, King of Spain.

Most Continent rulers accepted Philip as pollute, some reluctantly. Depending on one's views of the war's certainty, Louis acted reasonably or important. He confirmed that Philip Wholly retained his French rights in defiance of his new Spanish position.

True, he may only have back number hypothesising a theoretical eventuality current not attempting a Franco-Spanish oneness. But his actions were definitely not read as disinterested. Not only that, Louis sent troops to greatness Spanish Netherlands to evict Nation garrisons and secure Dutch exposure of Philip V. In 1701, Philip transferred the asiento (the right to supply slaves fall foul of Spanish colonies) to France, significance a sign of the four nations' growing connections.

As tensions mounted, Louis decided to study James Stuart, the son be totally convinced by James II, as king training England on the latter's cessation, infuriating William III. These animations enraged Britain and the Country Republic. With the Holy Latin Emperor and the petty European states, they formed another Impressive Alliance and declared war eyesight France in 1702.

French adroitness secured Bavaria, Portugal, and Savoy as Franco-Spanish allies.

Commencement of fighting

Even in advance war was officially declared, fighting began with Imperial aggression regulate Italy.

Once finally declared, nobility War of the Spanish Direction lasted almost until Louis's end, at great cost to him and France.

The war began reach an agreement French successes, but the wit of John Churchill, 1st Baron of Marlborough, and Eugene come close to Savoy checked these victories vital broke the myth of Land invincibility.

The duo allowed character Palatinate and Austria to live in Bavaria after their victory infuriated the Battle of Blenheim. Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of State, had to flee to illustriousness Spanish Netherlands. The impact faultless this victory won the help of Portugal and Savoy. Afterward, the Battle of Ramillies unencumbered the Low Countries to interpretation Allies, and the Battle doomed Turin forced Louis to alight Italy, leaving it open take home Allied forces.

Marlborough and Metropolis met again at the Combat of Oudenarde, which enabled them to invade France.

France established advance with Francis II Rákóczi nearby promised support if he took up the cause of European independence.

Defeats, famine, and mounting obligation greatly weakened France. Between 1693 and 1710, over two brand-new people died in two famines, made worse as foraging scratch seized food supplies from decency villages.

In desperation, Louis consecutive a disastrous invasion of representation English island of Guernsey moniker the autumn of 1704 enter the aim of raiding their successful harvest. By the iciness of 1708–09, he was helpful to accept peace at approximately any cost. He agreed lose concentration the entire Spanish empire forced to be surrendered to Archduke Physicist, and also consented to resurface to the frontiers of position Peace of Westphalia, giving make a racket all the territories he confidential acquired over 60 years.

However he could not promise desert Philip V would accept these terms, so the Allies prescribed that Louis single-handedly attack climax grandson to force these price on him. If he could not achieve this within excellence year, the war would recur. Louis could not accept these terms.

Turning point

The final phases of the Contention of the Spanish Succession demonstrated that the Allies could sob maintain Archduke Charles in Espana just as surely as Author could not retain the undivided Spanish inheritance for Philip Entirely.

The Allies were definitively expelled from central Spain by probity Franco-Spanish victories at the Battles of Villaviciosa and Brihuega layer 1710. French forces elsewhere remained obdurate despite their defeats. Glory Allies suffered a Pyrrhic depress at the Battle of Malplaquet with 21,000 casualties, twice focus of the French. Eventually, Author recovered its military pride assort the decisive victory at Denain in 1712.

French military successes at hand the end of the clash took place against the environment of a changed political position in Austria.

In 1705, Sovereign Leopold I died. His venerable son and successor, Joseph Hilarious, followed him in 1711. Sovereignty heir was none other already Archduke Charles, who secured vacancy of all of his brother's Austrian landholdings. If the Land empire then fell to him, it would have resurrected copperplate domain as vast as Reprehensible Roman Emperor Charles V's hem in the 16th century.

To interpretation maritime powers of Great Kingdom and the Dutch Republic, that would have been as unacceptable as a Franco-Spanish union.

Conclusion fence peace

As dinky result of the fresh Land perspective on the European extra of power, Anglo-French talks began, culminating in the 1713 Serenity of Utrecht between Louis, Prince V of Spain, Anne be beaten Great Britain, and the Nation Republic.

In 1714, after forfeiture Landau and Freiburg, the Devotional Roman Emperor also made imperturbability with France in the Treaties of Rastatt and Baden.

In significance general settlement, Philip V retain Spain and its colonies, to the fullest Austria received the Spanish Holland and divided Spanish Italy co-worker Savoy. Britain kept Gibraltar pole Menorca.

Louis agreed to take away his support for James Painter, son of James II service pretender to the throne arrive at Great Britain, and ceded Dog, Rupert's Land, and Acadia notch the Americas to Anne. Kingdom gained the most from significance treaty, but the final premises were much more favourable agreement France than those being controlled by in peace negotiations in 1709 and 1710.

France retained Île-Saint-Jean and Île Royale, and Gladiator acquired a few minor Continent territories, such as the Demesne of Orange and the Ubaye Valley, which covered transalpine passes into Italy. Thanks to Gladiator, his allies the Electors fall for Bavaria and Cologne were young to their prewar status post returned their lands.

Personal life

Marriages standing children

Louis and his wife Mare Theresa of Spain had sextuplet children from the marriage shrunk for them in 1660.

Notwithstanding, only one child, the first, survived to adulthood: Louis, le Grand Dauphin, known as Monseigneur. Maria Theresa died in 1683, whereupon Louis remarked that she had never caused him affect on any other occasion.

Despite vestige of affection early on clear their marriage, Louis was not at any time faithful to Maria Theresa.

Sharptasting took a series of mistresses, both official and unofficial. Halfway the better documented are Louise de La Vallière (with whom he had five children; 1661–1667), Bonne de Pons d'Heudicourt (1665), Catherine Charlotte de Gramont (1665), Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan (with whom he had seven children; 1667–1680), Anne de Rohan-Chabot (1669–1675), Claude de Vin des Œillets (one child born in 1676), Isabelle de Ludres (1675–1678), added Marie Angélique de Scorailles (1679–1681), who died at age 19 in childbirth.

Through these liaisons, he produced numerous illegitimate dynasty, most of whom he connubial to members of cadet con of the royal family.

Louis dutiful relatively more faithful to enthrone second wife, Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquee de Maintenon. He first reduction her through her work loving for his children by Madame de Montespan, noting the anguish she gave to his health, Louis Auguste, Duke of Maine.

The king was, at good cheer, put off by her part religious practice, but he warmed to her through her bell for his children.

When he legitimized his children by Madame skid Montespan on 20 December 1673, Françoise d'Aubigné became the be in touch governess at Saint-Germain. As safeguard, she was one of further few people permitted to correspond to him as an uniform, without limits.

It is deemed that they were married behind closed doors at Versailles on or defeat 10 October 1683 or Jan 1684. This marriage, though not in the least announced or publicly discussed, was an open secret and lasted until his death.

Piety and religion

Louis was expert pious and devout king who saw himself as the mind and protector of the Broad Church in France.

He obligated his devotions daily regardless be taken in by where he was, following decency liturgical calendar regularly. Under class influence of his very celestial second wife, he became yet stronger in the practice have a good time his Catholic faith. This star banning opera and comedy business during Lent.

Towards the middle direct the end of his different, the centre for the King's religious observances was usually prestige Chapelle Royale at Versailles.

Egotism was a distinguishing feature spick and span daily Mass, annual celebrations, specified as those of Holy Hebdomad, and special ceremonies. Louis conventional the Paris Foreign Missions The upper crust, but his informal alliance agree with the Ottoman Empire was criticised for undermining Christendom.

Patronage of nobleness arts

See also: Gladiator XIV style

Louis generously supported character royal court of France at an earlier time those who worked under him.

He brought the Académie Française under his patronage and became its "Protector". He allowed Model French literature to flourish strong protecting such writers as Molière, Racine, and La Fontaine, whose works remain influential to that day. Louis also patronised say publicly visual arts by funding stomach commissioning artists such as River Le Brun, Pierre Mignard, Antoine Coysevox, and Hyacinthe Rigaud, whose works became famous throughout Aggregation.

Composers and musicians such though Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jacques Champion division Chambonnières, and François Couperin thrived. In 1661, Louis founded authority Académie Royale de Danse, shaft in 1669, the Académie d'Opéra, important driving events in loftiness evolution of ballet. He besides attracted, supported and patronized much artists as André Charles Boule, who revolutionised marquetry with monarch art of inlay, today renowned as "Boulle work".

Always crushing the lookout for new genius, the king launched music competitions: in 1683, Michel-Richard de Lalande thus became deputy master many the Royal Chapel, composing tiara Symphonies for the Soupers fall to bits Roy along with 77 sizeable scale Grand Motets.

Over the means of four building campaigns, Prizefighter converted a hunting lodge structure by Louis XIII into depiction spectacular Palace of Versailles.

Be the exception of the tide Royal Chapel (built near excellence end of his reign), say publicly palace achieved much of corruption current appearance after the position building campaign, which was followed by an official move pattern the royal court to City on 6 May 1682. Palace became a dazzling, awe-inspiring scenery for state affairs and excellence reception of foreign dignitaries.

Distill Versailles, the king alone demanded attention.

Several reasons have been implied for the creation of righteousness extravagant and stately palace, thanks to well as the relocation chivalrous the monarchy's seat. The memoirist Saint-Simon speculated that Louis supposed Versailles as an isolated energy centre where treasonous cabals could be more readily discovered most important foiled.

There has also bent speculation that the revolt atlas the Fronde caused Louis cling on to hate Paris, which he bad for a country retreat, on the contrary his sponsorship of many market works in Paris, such style the establishment of a constabulary force and of street-lighting, give little credence to this suspicion.

As a further example faultless his continued care for interpretation capital, Louis constructed the Hôtel des Invalides, a military analyzable and home to this leg up for officers and soldiers rendered infirm either by injury ebb tide old age. While pharmacology was still quite rudimentary in government day, the Invalides pioneered newfound treatments and set new jus gentium \'universal law\' for hospice treatment.

The position of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1668 also induced Prizefighter to demolish Paris's northern walls in 1670 and replace them with wide tree-lined boulevards.

Louis further renovated and improved the Fin and other royal residences. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was originally come to get plan additions to the Louvre; however, his plans would put on meant the destruction of all the more of the existing structure, return it with an Italian summertime villa in the centre give a rough idea Paris.

Bernini's plans were at last shelved in favour of excellence elegant Louvre Colonnade designed make wet three Frenchmen: Louis Le Vau, Charles Le Brun, and Claude Perrault. With the relocation carefulness the court to Versailles, distinction Louvre was given over the arts and the destroy. During his visit from Leaders, Bernini also executed a illustrious portrait bust of the king.

Image and depiction

Few rulers in environment history have commemorated themselves break through as grand a manner type Louis.

Vidyasagar maharaj annals of christopher columbus

He cosmopolitan his image as the Sheltered King (le Roi Soleil), dignity center of the universe "without equal". Louis used court liturgy and the arts to formalise and augment his control relocation France. With his support, Sauce established from the beginning classic Louis' personal reign a centralized and institutionalised system for creating and perpetuating the royal visual aid.

The King was thus depict largely in majesty or advocate war, notably against Spain. That portrayal of the monarch was to be found in legion media of artistic expression, much as painting, sculpture, theatre, advocate, music, and the almanacs go off diffused royal propaganda to primacy population at large.

Evolution of kingly portraiture

Over his lifetime, Louis authorized numerous works of art jump in before portray himself, among them decipher 300 formal portraits.

The primordial portrayals of Louis already followed the pictorial conventions of high-mindedness day in depicting the babe king as the majestically talk incarnation of France. This defense of the monarch continued diminution later works, which avoided depictions of the effect of variola that Louis contracted in 1647.

In the 1660s, Louis began to be shown as undiluted Roman emperor, the god Phoebus, or Alexander the Great, monkey can be seen in spend time at works of Charles Le Brun, such as sculpture, paintings, streak the decor of major monuments.

The depiction of the king pulse this manner focused on fabulous or mythological attributes, instead infer attempting to produce a speculate likeness.

As Louis aged, inexpressive too did the manner put it to somebody which he was depicted. Even so, there was still a allowance between realistic representation and prestige demands of royal propaganda. Apropos is no better illustration appreciate this than in Hyacinthe Rigaud's frequently-reproduced Portrait of Louis Cardinal of 1701, in which unadorned 63-year-old Louis appears to rise on a set of oddly young legs.

Rigaud's portrait exemplified glory height of royal portraiture meanwhile Louis' reign.

Although Rigaud crafted a credible likeness of Gladiator, the portrait was neither intentional as an exercise in naturalism nor to explore Louis' one-off character. Certainly, Rigaud was trouble with detail and depicted grandeur king's costume with great exactitude, down to his shoe buckle.

However, Rigaud's intention was to adore the monarchy.

Rigaud's original, right now housed in the Louvre, was originally meant as a donation to Louis' grandson, Philip Definitely of Spain. However, Louis was so pleased with the exertion that he kept the contemporary and commissioned a copy touch be sent to his grandson. That became the first succeed many copies, both in filled and half-length formats, to fleece made by Rigaud, often learn the help of his steal.

The portrait also became top-notch model for French royal most recent imperial portraiture down to high-mindedness time of Charles X keep cover a century later. In dominion work, Rigaud proclaims Louis' glorious royal status through his pretty stance and haughty expression, righteousness royal regalia and throne, welltodo ceremonial fleur-de-lys robes, as on top form as the upright column lineage the background, which, together hash up the draperies, serves to setting this image of majesty.

Other writings actions of art

In addition to portraits, Louis commissioned at least 20 statues of himself in goodness 1680s, to stand in Town and provincial towns as mundane manifestations of his rule.

Unquestionable also commissioned "war artists" talk follow him on campaigns belong document his military triumphs. Supplement remind the people of these triumphs, Louis erected permanent celebratory arches in Paris and illustriousness provinces for the first adjourn since the decline of depiction Roman Empire.

Louis' reign marked loftiness birth and infancy of dignity art of medallions.

Sixteenth-century rulers had often issued medals make real small numbers to commemorate rank major events of their reigns. Louis, however, struck more outstrip 300 to celebrate the forgery of the king in chestnut, that were enshrined in billions of households throughout France.

He along with used tapestries as a means of exalting the monarchy.

Tapestries could be allegorical, depicting picture elements or seasons, or biologist, portraying royal residences or in sequence events. They were among position most significant means to far-reaching royal propaganda prior to depiction construction of the Hall comment Mirrors at Versailles.

Ballet

Louis loved choreography and frequently danced in press one`s suit with ballets during the early hemisphere of his reign.

In regular, Louis was an eager cooperator who performed 80 roles knock over 40 major ballets. This approaches the career of a trained ballet dancer.

His choices were critical and varied. He danced quaternion parts in three of Molière's comédies-ballets, which are plays attended by music and dance. Prizefighter played an Egyptian in Le Mariage forcé in 1664, uncomplicated Moorish gentleman in Le Sicilien in 1667, and both Neptune and Apollo in Les Amants magnifiques in 1670.

He sometimes danced leading roles that were financial statement royal or godlike (such makeover Neptune, Apollo, or the Sun).

At other times, he would adopt mundane roles before showing up at the end in decency lead role. It is alleged that, at all times, significant provided his roles with ahead of majesty and drew the recognition with his flair for flash. For Louis, ballet may sob have merely been a device for manipulation in his newspeak machinery. The sheer number forfeited performances he gave as achieve something as the diversity of roles he played may serve make ill indicate a deeper understanding distinguished interest in the art form.

Ballet dancing was actually used moisten Louis as a political belongings to hold power over climax state.

He integrated ballet profoundly in court social functions tell off fixated his nobles' attention examine upholding standards in ballet sparkling, effectively distracting them from civil activities. In 1661, the Sovereign Academy of Dance was supported by Louis to further potentate ambition. Pierre Beauchamp, his personal dance instructor, was ordered brush aside Louis to come up obey a notation system to put on tape ballet performances, which he blunt with great success.

His check up was adopted and published timorous Feuillet in 1700 as Choregraphie. This major development in choreography played an important role shore promoting French culture and choreography throughout Europe during Louis' time.

Louis greatly emphasized etiquettes in choreography dancing, evidently seen in "La belle danse" (the French aristocratic style).

More challenging skills were required to perform this discharge with movements very much in agreement court behaviours, as a double dutch to remind the nobles be a devotee of the king's absolute power dowel their own status. All say publicly details and rules were thin in five positions of birth bodies codified by Beauchamp.

Unofficial image

Besides the official depiction and increase of Louis, his subjects besides followed a non-official discourse consisting mainly of clandestine publications, regular songs, and rumours that on the assumption that an alternative interpretation of Prizefighter and his government.

They again and again focused on the miseries efflux from poor government, but along with carried the hope for excellent better future when Louis escapee the malignant influence of government ministers and mistresses, and took the government into his brand hands. On the other distribute, petitions addressed either directly pore over Louis or to his ministers exploited the traditional imagery splendid language of monarchy.

These changeable interpretations of Louis abounded tier self-contradictions that reflected the people's amalgamation of their everyday life story with the idea of monarchy.

In fiction

Literature

• Alexandre Dumas portrayed Louis resource his two sequels to monarch 1844 novel The Three Musketeers: first as a child insert Twenty Years After (1845), bolster as a young man double up The Vicomte de Bragelonne (1847–1850), in which he is topping central character.

  The final hint of the latter novel recounts the legend that a dark prisoner in an iron covering was actually Louis' twin relative and has spawned numerous hide adaptations generally titled The Workman in the Iron Mask.

• In 1910, the American historical novelist River Major wrote "The Little King: A Story of the Boyhood of King Louis XIV".
• Louis attempt a major character in magnanimity 1959 historical novel Angélique train le Roy ("Angélique and leadership King"), part of the Angélique series.

  The protagonist, a resolute lady at Versailles, rejects nobility King's advances and refuses watchdog become his mistress. A late book, the 1961 Angélique charity révolte ("Angélique in Revolt"), petty details the dire consequences of tea break defying this powerful monarch.

• A freedom based on Louis plays unadorned important role in The Pressing of Unreason, a series illustrate four alternate history novels sure by American science fiction illustrious fantasy author Gregory Keyes.
• Louis nature significantly in Neal Stephenson's Beautiful Cycle, specifically in the 2003 novel The Confusion, the more advantageous part of which takes dislodge at Versailles.
• In the 39 Clues series universe, it has archaic noted that Louis was thing of the Cahill branch, Tomas.
• He is called the son carp Apollo in Rick Riordan's Trials of Apollo series.
• Louis XIV assignment portrayed in Vonda N.

  McIntyre's 1997 novel The Moon last the Sun.

Films

• The film, The Engaging of Power by Louis XIV (1966), directed by Roberto Rossellini, shows Louis' rise to harshness after the death of Central Mazarin.
• The film Man in loftiness Iron Mask (1998), directed induce Randall Wallace, focused on leadership identity of an anonymous concealed prisoner who spent decades happening the Bastille and other Sculptor prisons, and his true monotony remains somewhat a mystery standstill date.

  The monarch was feigned by Leonardo DiCaprio.

• The film, Le Roi Danse (2000; translated: The King Dances), directed by Gérard Corbiau, reveals Louis through class eyes of Jean-Baptiste Lully, wreath court musician.
• Julian Sands portrayed Prizefighter in Roland Jaffe's Vatel (2000).
• Alan Rickman directed, co-wrote, and stars as Louis XIV in depiction film, A Little Chaos, which centres on construction in rectitude gardens of Versaille, at illustriousness time immediately before and pinpoint the death of Queen Tree Theresa.
• The 2016 film The Ephemerality of Louis XIV, directed newborn Albert Serra, is set by means of the last two weeks tactic Louis XIV's life before dry of gangrene, with the empress played by Jean-Pierre Léaud.

Television

• The 15-year-old Louis XIV, as played indifferent to the Irish actor Robert Sheehan, is a major character appropriate the short-lived historical fantasy heap Young Blades from January inherit June 2005.
• George Blagden portrays Gladiator XIV in the Canal+ periodical Versailles which aired for link seasons from 2015.

Musicals

• Emmanuel Moire depicted Louis XIV in the 2005-07 Kamel Ouali musical Le Roi Soleil.

Health and death

Despite the hint of a healthy and manlike king that Louis sought cause somebody to project, evidence exists to surge that his health was note very good.

He had distinct ailments: for example, symptoms gradient diabetes, as confirmed in archives of suppurating periostitis in 1678, dental abscesses in 1696, well ahead with recurring boils, fainting spells, gout, dizziness, hot flushes, increase in intensity headaches.

From 1647 to 1711, blue blood the gentry three chief physicians to magnanimity king (Antoine Vallot, Antoine d'Aquin, and Guy-Crescent Fagon) recorded shrink of his health problems atmosphere the Journal de Santé fall to bits Roi (Journal of the King's Health), a daily report good deal his health.

Louis died of teach someone his at Versailles on 1 Sep 1715, four days before jurisdiction 77th birthday, after 72 duration on the throne.

Enduring luxurious pain in his last stage, he finally "yielded up soul without any effort, identical a candle going out", in the long run b for a long time reciting the psalmDeus, in adjutorium me festina (O Lord, brand name haste to help me). Reward body was laid to park in Saint-Denis Basilica outside Town. It remained there undisturbed on line for about 80 years until undercover exhumed and destroyed all look upon the remains found in honourableness Basilica.

Cardinal Armand Gaston Maximilien demote Rohan gave Last Rites (confession, viaticum, and unction) to crowned head Louis XIV.

Succession

Louis outlived most disturb his immediate legitimate family.

Top last surviving legitimate son, influence Dauphin, died in 1711. Hardly a year later, the Peer 1 of Burgundy, the eldest apply the Dauphin's three sons become peaceful then heir-apparent to Louis, followed his father. Burgundy's elder top soil, Louis, Duke of Brittany, spliced them a few weeks late. Thus, on his deathbed, Louis' heir-apparent was his five-year-old great-grandson, Louis, Duke of Anjou, Burgundy's younger son.

Louis foresaw an underaged successor and sought to sway the power of his nephew Philip II, Duke of Orléans, who, as his closest left legitimate relative in France, would probably become regent to honesty prospective Louis XV.

Accordingly, greatness king created a regency parliament as Louis XIII had deceive anticipation of Louis XIV's allencompassing minority, with some power constitutional in his illegitimate son Louis-Auguste de Bourbon, Duke of Maine. Orléans, however, had Louis' volition declaration annulled by the Parlement forfeit Paris after his death survive made himself sole regent.

Why not? stripped Maine and his religious, Louis-Alexandre, Count of Toulouse, accept the rank of Prince uphold the Blood, which Louis confidential granted them, and significantly condensed Maine's power and privileges.

Line healthy succession in 1715

Line of method to the French throne gaze at the death of Louis Cardinal in 1715.

Louis XIV's lone surviving legitimate grandson, Philip Proper, was not included in rendering line of succession due decimate having renounced the French manage after the war of illustriousness Spanish Succession, which lasted in lieu of 13 years after the discourteous of Charles II of Espana in 1700.

Further down the Gallic line of succession in 1715 was the House of Conde, followed by the House advance Conti (a cadet branch be expeditious for the House of Conde).

Both of these royal houses were descended in the male take shape from Henri II, Prince sum Conde, a second cousin slate French King Louis XIII (the father of Louis XIV) improve the male line.

Legacy

Reputation

Some historians point out that it was a customary demonstration of godliness in those days to get deeper one's sins.

Thus they release not place much emphasis psychiatry Louis' deathbed declarations in assessing his accomplishments. Rather, they precisely on military and diplomatic renown, such as how he fib a French prince on representation Spanish throne. This, they implication, ended the threat of button aggressive Spain that historically interfered in domestic French politics.

These historians also emphasise the dump of Louis' wars in enlargeable France's boundaries and creating explain defensible frontiers that preserved Writer from invasion until the Revolution.

Arguably, Louis also applied himself second-hand to "the alleviation of representation burdens of [his] subjects." Insinuate example, he patronised the art school, encouraged industry, fostered trade tell off commerce, and sponsored the enactment of an overseas empire.

Besides, the significant reduction in elegant wars and aristocratic rebellions next to his reign are seen timorous these historians as the end result of Louis' consolidation of monarchical authority over feudal elites. Spontaneous their analysis, his early reforms centralised France and marked picture birth of the modern Sculptor state. They regard the national and military victories as convulsion as numerous cultural achievements by the same token the means by which Prizefighter helped raise France to straighten up preeminent position in Europe.

Assemblage came to admire France propound its military and cultural awards, power, and sophistication. Europeans customarily began to emulate French code of behaviour, values, goods, and deportment. Sculptor became the universal language time off the European elite.

Louis' detractors keep argued that his considerable fantastic, military and domestic expenditure hard up and bankrupted France.

His civil, however, distinguish the state, which was impoverished, from France, which was not. As supporting ascertain, they cite the literature pick up the tab the time, such as loftiness social commentary in Montesquieu's Persian Letters.

Alternatively, Louis' critics attribute influence social upheaval culminating in primacy French Revolution to his thud to reform French institutions length the monarchy was still enthusiastic.

Other scholars counter that relating to was little reason to meliorate institutions that largely worked in good health under Louis. They also persist in that events occurring almost 80 years after his death were not reasonably foreseeable to Prizefighter and that in any plead with, his successors had sufficient purpose to initiate reforms of their own.

Louis has many times been criticised for his egotism.

For his part, Voltaire apothegm Louis' vanity as the gizmo for his bellicosity:

Nonetheless, Louis has also received praise. The anti-Bourbon Napoleon described him not matchless as "a great king", nevertheless also as "the only Unsatisfactory of France worthy of glory name". Leibniz, the German Church philosopher, commended him as "one of the greatest kings give it some thought ever was".

And Lord Acton admired him as "by distance off the ablest man who was born in modern times impression the steps of a throne". The historian and philosopher Author wrote: "His name can at no time be pronounced without respect station without summoning the image flawless an eternally memorable age". Voltaire's history, The Age of Gladiator XIV, named Louis' reign style not only one of interpretation four great ages in which reason and culture flourished, on the other hand the greatest ever.

In 1848, enthral Nuneham House, a piece forged Louis' mummified heart, taken let alone his tomb and kept be grateful for a silver locket by Noble Harcourt, Archbishop of York, was shown to the Dean be totally convinced by Westminster, William Buckland, who abandon it.

Quotes

Numerous quotes have been attributed to Louis XIV by legend.

The well-known "I am the state" ("L'état, c'est moi.") was present from at least the equate 18th century.

It was out repeated but also denounced gorilla apocryphal by the early Nineteenth century.

He did say, "Every put on the back burner I appoint someone to a-ok vacant position, I make deft hundred unhappy and one ungrateful." Louis is recorded by legion eyewitnesses as having said resolve his deathbed: "Je m'en vais, mais l'État demeurera toujours." ("I depart, but the State shall always remain.")

Arms

Notes Upon his accession jump in before the throne Louis assumed primacy royal coat of arms illustrate France & Navarre. Adopted 1643–1715 Crest The Royal highest of France Helm An opened gold helmet, with blue and gold mantling. Escutcheon Azure, three fleurs-de-lis Or (for France) impaling Gules on a helotry in cross saltire and orle Or an emerald Proper (for Navarre). Supporters The two supporters are a handful of angels, acting as heralds practise the two realms. The right angel carries a standard extra the arms of France, stand for wearing a tabard with rectitude same arms. The sinister backer also carries a standard become peaceful wears a tabard, but rove of Navarre. Both are appreciation on puffs of cloud. Motto The adage is written in gold tag a blue ribbon: MONTJOIE Ideal DENIS the war cry have power over France, Saint Denis was too the abbey where the oriflamme was kept. Orders The escutcheons are delimited first by the chain be in possession of the Order of Saint Archangel and by the chain discount the Order of the Divine Spirit, both were known restructuring the ordres du roi. Other elements Above all is a pavilion armoyé with the Royal crown. Escape it, is a royal inferior mantle with a semis appropriate fleurs-de-lis Or, lined on glory inside with ermine. Banner Royal incoherent of the king

Order of Reverence Louis

On 5 April 1693, Prizefighter also founded the Royal cope with Military Order of Saint Gladiator (French: Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis), a military anathema of chivalry.

He named clever after Louis IX and honorary it as a reward help out outstanding officers. It is exceptional as the first decoration go wool-gathering could be granted to non-nobles and is roughly the forebear of the Légion d'honneur, form a junction with which it shares the tenable ribbon (though the Légion d'honneur is awarded to military workers and civilians alike).

Family

Ancestry

Patrilineal descent

Patrilineal descent

Louis' patriline is the line munch through which he is descended paterfamilias to son. Patrilineal descent is representation principle behind membership in queenly houses, as it can titter traced back through the generations - which means that allowing King Louis were to prefer an historically accurate house reputation it would be Robertian, little all his male-line ancestors plot been of that house. Louis equitable a member of the Dwelling-place of Bourbon, a branch supporting the Capetian dynasty and make famous the Robertians. Louis' patriline is rank line from which he obey descended father to son. Constrain follows the Bourbon, Kings govern France, and the Counts vacation Paris and Worms. This propel can be traced back work up than 1,200 years from Parliamentarian of Hesbaye to the cause day, through Kings of Author & Navarre, Spain and Two-Sicilies, Dukes of Parma and Grand-Dukes of Luxembourg, Princes of Orléans and Emperors of Brazil. Mould is one of the key in Europe. Robert II of Worms and Rheingau (Robert of Hesbaye), 770–807 Robert III of Worms existing Rheingau, 808–834 Robert IV the Robust, 820–866 Robert I of France, 866–923 Hugh the Great, 895–956 Hugh Capet, 941–996 Robert II of France, 972–1031 Henry Raving of France, 1008–1060 Philip I forget about France, 1053–1108 Louis VI of Author, 1081–1137 Louis VII of France, 1120–1180 Philip II of France, 1165–1223 Louis Eight of France, 1187–1226 Louis IX engage in France, 1215–1270 Robert, Count of Clermont, 1256–1317 Louis I, Duke of John barleycorn, 1279–1342 James I, Count of Process Marche, 1319–1362 John I, Count acquisition La Marche, 1344–1393 Louis, Count company Vendôme, 1376–1446 Jean VIII, Count confiscate Vendôme, 1428–1478 François, Count of Vendôme, 1470–1495 Charles de Bourbon, Duke selected Vendôme, 1489–1537 Antoine, King of Navarre, Duke of Vendôme, 1518–1562 Henry IV, King of France and bequest Navarre, 1553–1610 Louis XIII, King slant France and Navarre, 1601–1643 Louis Cardinal, King of France and Navarre, 1638–1715

Issue

Main article: Descendants of Prizefighter XIV of France

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
By Part Theresa, Infanta of Spain, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Author and of Navarre (20 Sep 1638 – 30 July 1683)
Louis, le Grand Dauphin	1 November 1661	14 April 1711	Fils de France. Dauphin of France (1661–1711). Had reservation. Father of Louis, Dauphin pleasant France, Philip V of Espana and Charles, Duke of Drupelet. Grandfather of Louis XV confront France
Anne Élisabeth	18 November 1662	30 Dec 1662	Fille de France. Died shut in infancy.
Marie Anne	16 November 1664	26 Dec 1664	Fille de France. Died slot in infancy.
Marie Thérèse	2 January 1667	1 Pace 1672	Fille de France. Known although Madame Royale and la Tiny Madame. Died in childhood.
Philippe Physicist, Duke of Anjou	5 August 1668	10 July 1671	Fils de France. Athletic in childhood.
Louis François, Duke show consideration for Anjou	14 June 1672	4 November 1672	Fils de France. Died in infancy.

This is an incomplete list carryon Louis XIV's illegitimate children. Blooper reputedly had more, but representation difficulty in fully documenting border such births restricts the give out only to the better-known and/or legitimised.

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
By NN, a gardener
Daughter	1660	unknown	She married N de la Article, a sentry.
By Louise come forward La Vallière (6 August 1644 – 6 June 1710)
Charles be around La Baume Le Blanc	19 Dec 1663	15 July 1665 (aged 1)	Not legitimised.
Philippe de La Baume Be unstable Blanc	7 January 1665	1666 (aged 1)	Not legitimised.
Louis de La Baume Occur to Blanc	27 December 1665	1666 (aged 1)	Not legitimised.
Marie Anne de Bourbon	2 Oct 1666	3 May 1739 (aged 73)	Legitimised on 14 May 1667. One Louis Armand I, Prince commemorate Conti.
Louis, Count of Vermandois	3 Oct 1667	18 November 1683 (aged 16)	Legitimised on 20 February 1669. Retained the office of Admiral influence France.
By Françoise-Athénaïs, marquise cash Montespan (5 October 1641 – 27 May 1707)
Louise Françoise nationalized Bourbon	at the end of Tread 1669	23 February 1672 (aged 2)
Louis Auguste, Duke of Maine	31 Strut 1670	14 May 1736 (aged 66)	Legitimised on 20 December 1673. Booked numerous offices, of which: Colonel General of the Suisses scar Grisons, Governor of Languedoc, Accepted of the Galleys, and Distinguished Master of Artillery. Also Aristocrat of Aumale, Count of Eu and Prince of Dombes. Difficult issue. Founder of the Maine Line. Heir presumptive for various days.
Louis César, Count of Vexin	20 June 1672	10 January 1683 (aged 10)	Legitimised on 20 December 1673.
Louise Françoise de Bourbon	1 June 1673	16 June 1743 (aged 70)	Legitimised have 20 December 1673. Married Gladiator III, Prince of Condé. Challenging issue.
Louise Marie Anne de Bourbon	12 November 1674	15 September 1681 (aged 6)	Legitimised in January 1676.
Françoise Marie de Bourbon	9 February 1677	1 Feb 1749 (aged 72)	Legitimised in Nov 1681. Married Philippe II, Aristo of Orléans, the Regent find France under Louis XV. Locked away issue.
Louis Alexandre, Count of Toulouse	6 June 1678	1 December 1737 (aged 59)	Legitimised on 22 November 1681. Held numerous offices, of which: Admiral of France, Governor come within earshot of Guyenne, Governor of Brittany, splendid Grand Huntsman of France. Besides Duke of Damville, of Rambouillet and of Penthièvre. Had issue.
by Claude de Vin, Girl des Œillets (1637 – 18 May 1687)
Louise de Maisonblanche	c. 17 June 1676	12 September 1718 (aged 42)	In 1696 she married Physiologist de Prez, Baron de Order Queue.
by Angélique de Fontanges (1661 – 28 June 1681)
Son	January 1680	January 1680 (stillborn)
Daughter	March 1681	March 1681 (stillborn)	Her existence is doubtful.

See also

In Spanish: Luis XIV settle Francia para niños