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The France of Louis XIV |
| Louis XIV governs France during close to a century, but the most prominent and glorious period for the country is the one that spans 1661 to 1685. Having acceded to the throne in 1638, when only 5 years old, Louis XIV does not in fact begin his reign until the death of Mazarin in1681, a reign that he indeed intends to lead without a Prime minister. |
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This King, of superior intelligence, showing an astonishing self-possession, a strong common sense, an application to work and pride as second nature, has a very precise idea of his destiny and his role: he considers himself “ God's Lieutenant on Earth ”. By choosing the Sun as his emblem, he thus inscribes his Monarchy under the sign of absolutism. His natural authority combined with an obvious charisma serves his intentions. He very quickly becomes the object of a real cult that flourishes in the environment of his Court, gathered at Versailles and designed by him to serve his interests and his pleasures. |
| A man
of taste and even of ostentatious tastes, Louis XIV also makes his reign
the reign of the arts. He nurtures the artists, be they men of letters,
theatre, music or architecture knowing that they will assure his posterity.
Distanced from the baroque movement, he imposes on the country a classic style, more in harmony with his personality, the grandeur of his reign and his sense of order and discipline. Although governing alone, Louis XIV surrounds himself with some advisers, few in number and drawn mainly from the bourgeoisie, gradually excluding from important positions the nobility mistrusted since the Frond. With the collaboration of Colbert, General Controller of Finance, Louis XIV achieves his major projects within the country. |
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Together they re-establish national stability, successfully coupling the supervision of the major bodies of state with the reform of legislation and the maintenance of public order. Their second task, which aims at the restoration of financial stability, remains however incomplete. Even the economic successes of “ Colbertism ” cannot compensate for the colossal military expenses of the army, which is the object of the King's total predilection. |
| The
spirit of conquest and the ambitious views of Louis XIV are fulfilled
until 1684, at the time of the Truce
of Ratisbonne. This is the culminating point of the French
zenith. Louis XIV is then at the height of his glory, but he makes poor
use of this advantage by transforming it into provocation, wanting to
show forcefully, that he can be master of all Europe. As Saint Simon says : here finishes the zenith of this reign, and this height of glory and prosperity. |
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If
Louis XIV bequeaths to his great grandson Louis
XV, a powerful and centralised kingdom, the end of his reign
is strongly marked by a series of failures. The borders are certainly
well established, but the country is on the verge of bankruptcy, exhausted
by years of war.
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