Reign of Louis XIV
Early Life and Accession to the Throne
Louis XIV was born on September 5, 1638, at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. He was christened Louis-Dieudonné, which translates to "Gift of God," a testament to his birth after twenty-three years of childless marriage between King Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. His mother was a member of the House of Habsburg, and his father, Louis XIII, was king of France. Louis XIV ascended to the throne in 1643 at the tender age of four, following his father's death.
Personal Life and Marriage
In 1660, Louis XIV married his double first cousin, Maria Theresa of Spain, sealing a political reconciliation between France and Spain. The marriage took place at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a coastal town in France. Among their six children, only Louis de France, known as Le Grand Dauphin, survived to adulthood.
The Establishment of Absolute Monarchy
Louis XIV, often referred to as the "Sun King," was a proponent of absolute monarchy, a form of government in which the monarch holds supreme autocratic authority. His reign is noted for the centralization of power, which he accomplished by undermining the nobility and establishing a network of loyal bureaucrats.
The Palace of Versailles
One of Louis XIV's most enduring legacies is the construction of the Palace of Versailles. Officially inaugurated on May 6, 1682, Versailles became the permanent residence of the royal court, which had previously been itinerant, moving between locations such as the Louvre Palace, the Tuileries Palace, and the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Military Campaigns and Foreign Policy
Louis XIV's reign was marked by several military endeavors which expanded France's territories and influence. In 1667, he initiated the War of Devolution by invading the Spanish Netherlands. From 1672 to 1678, he engaged in the Franco-Dutch War, and in 1688, he led the War of the Grand Alliance, opposing a coalition formed to counterbalance France's growing power.
Cultural Patronage and Legacy
Under Louis XIV, France became a center of art and culture. The king himself was a patron of the arts and possessed a variety of personal interests, including music, dance, horse-riding, hunting, and theater. He played the guitar, performed in ballets, and was an enthusiastic participant in parlour games.
The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes
In 1685, Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted religious freedom to Huguenots, French Protestants. This revocation led to widespread persecution and the subsequent emigration of many Huguenots, which significantly affected the French economy and demography.