Lois XIV – The Sun King
Lois XIV of France considered to be one of the most remarkable monarchs of all times. He reigned for seventy – two years, fifty- four of them he personally controlled French government. The 17th century is known as the age of Lois XIV. His rule is embodiment of the absolutism, the ideal kingship. During his reign France became one of the most powerful countries in Europe. France become the ideal culture since he was trying his best to develop it so he could boast it to the rest of the world. The medieval living became more refined and exquisite and the name of the king became associate with glory and greatness. Lois was a great monarch and he maintained strong kingdom which was example of ideal reign.
Lois XIV was born in 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. He was only five years old when he became king on the death of his father, Lois XIII. The regency, confided to his mother, Anne of Austria, was marked by a period of rebellion known as the first French Revolution. He was neglected child, cared for by servants and constantly threatened by arrogant nobles. The civil war brought Lois XIV poverty, humiliation, misfortune and hunger.
The early reign of Lois was highly successful. In 1660, Lois XIV married Maria Theresa, Infanta of Spain. The following year, after the death of prime minister Cardinal Mazarin, the 23-year-old Lois announced himself as a king. The first twenty years of his reign were glorious, he managed to carry out the administrative and financial reorganization of the kingdom as well as the development of manufacturing and trade. He reformed the army and encouraged blossoming of the culture. During Lois’ reign all the arts developed: painting, architecture, sculpture, music. To this period belong famous works of Racine, Moliere, Corneille.
In the History Lois XIV is known as a Sun King, so where this association comes from? Lois chose the sun as his emblem because sun is relate to Apollo, god of peace and arts and was also heavenly body which gave life to all things.
Like Apollo, king Lois XIV was a patron of the arts, throughout Versailles, there are images of Apollo and his attributes as tripod, lyre, laurel. The path of the sun is also traced in the layout of the gardens. Usually Lois was depicted on paintings beside the Greek God.
Lois XIV’s accomplishments are numerous. Together with his finance minister Colbert he reduced the annual treasury deficit by economies and more efficient taxation. Lois XIV was also spending money on buildings. Lois XIV transformed Versailles into remarkable palace and park which were copied by monarchs across Europe. Lois XIV established exquisite etiquette when he moved to Versailles. Court life centered on magnificence; courtiers lived lives of expensive luxury, dressed with suitable magnificence and constantly attended balls, dinners, performances, and celebrations. In foreign affairs Lois XIV launched the War of Devolution against the Spanish Netherlands, the war brought him some valuable frontier towns in Flanders. French colonies abroad were multiplying in the Americas, Asia, Africa, while diplomatic relations had been initiate with countries as far as Siam, India and Persia. Domestically, Lois XIV succeeded in establishing and increasing the influence and central authority of the King of France at the expense of Church and the nobles. By the early 1680s, Lois XIV had greatly augmented his and France’s influence and power in Europe. He increased his power engaging in three major wars: the Franco-Dutch War, the War of the League of Augsburg, and the War of the Spanish Succession. The political and military scene during his reign was filled with such glorious names as Mazarin, Fouquet, Tourville, Colbert. Lois XIV worked successfully to create a centralized state governed from the capital in order to sweep away the fragmented feudalism, thus giving rise to the modern state.
The turning point in Lois’ reign was when he took the disastrous step of revoking the Huguenot minority’s right to worship by his revocation of the Edict of the Nantes.
Many Huguenots left the country taking with them considerable capital as well as skills. Also, this display of religious intolerance helped unite the Protestant powers against the Sun King
Lois XIV, France’s Sun King, had the longest reign in European history, during this time he brought absolute monarchy to its height. He still remains one of the greatest monarchs of all times, who became the great ruler and patron. He loved luxury, magnificence and profusion in all things and encouraged similar tastes in his Court. Lois XIV was spending money on equipages, buildings, and feasting. One of his greatest deed which should be mentioned was legitimizing of all his illegitimate children. Lois gave them education, position in society and married them in such way, that they become real princes and princesses. Despite all his mistresses he was always kind to his wife Maria Theresa. Unfortunately, she died so he was forced to marry somebody else, and his choice was Madame de Maintenon, who was the best educated woman in his court.
Processing your request, Please wait....
