1. Assess the personality of Louis XIV.
What do the quotes reveal about himself?
2. Do you think that Louis XIV lives up
to the title, absolute monarch? Examples?
ABSOLUTISM
FRANCE
Louis XIV
“The Sun King”
Louis XIV: The Sun King
King of France (1643-1715)
Cardinal Mazarin
ushered in the
reign of Louis XIV
by setting up a
powerful royal
state for the young
king.
"I could sooner reconcile all
Europe than two women"
Royal Court:
Personal household of king
Location of central
government machinery
Place of favor and offices
(of particular interest to courtiers)
“I very nearly had to wait!”
The reign of Louis XIV set the standard for
absolute monarchies and aristocracies in Europe.
Province Rule:
Hereditary
Officeholders
Intendants (eyes and
ears of ministers)
Royal patronage
(bribed key officials)
"It is legal because I wish it."
Louis XIV replaced high nobles and
royal princes with new nobility that
could be more easily controlled
Religious Policy: “One king, one law, one
faith.” Louis XIV repressed the French
Huguenot population
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
Louis became a key patron of science…
Palace of
Versailles:
Residence of king
Reception hall for
state affairs
Offices for members
of government
Home for thousands
of royal officials and
aristocratic courtiers
Versailles became the symbol of the absolutist
state of France and the power of the Sun King. It
was intended to impress foreign powers
Louis XIV Crossing the Pont Neuf, c. 1666
Louis XIV in Glory After the Peace of Nijmegen, 1681
Daily Ceremonies
Nobles assisted the king with the following activities:
Rising from bed, dining, praying, mass, going to bed,
handing the king his shirt during dressing.
The Hall of Mirrors
The Queen’s bedroom
The King’s study
Louis XIV’s quest for military glory led to
many wars which drained the French treasury
and left France with many enemies in Europe
“I am the state.”
--Louis XIV
(Note: He probably never said it!)