Special Sub-Topic: Louis XIV Click Here To Play: Louis XIV

Louis ascended to the throne after an elongated period of regency. His mother Anne of Austria and his first minister took power upon Louis XIII's death. What was the name of this minister?

Mazarin. Mazarin died in 1661. France had been considerably weakened during due to this period of regency, the country's own gentry had invaded Paris. The noblesse d'epee objected to the throne being dominated by a Spaniard and Italian, this resulted in the Frondes. They did not rebel against the young king, however one of Louis's motives throughout his reign was to tame his nobility.

To which royal dynasty did Louis belong to?

Bourbon. The Bourbon dynasty was constantly in competition with the house of Hapsburg, who controlled both Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. Later on in his reign, Louis was challanged by William of Orange, who became William III of England. The Hanoverians were the established royal family of England following the War of Spanish Succession.

Which of the following is not the name of one of Louis' wars?

The War of Austrian Succession. The War of Austrian Succession occurred during the reign of Louis XV, who in comparison had a relatively peaceful reign. Louis XIV was plagued by war, usually provoking them himself. This left France in financial ruin by his death in 1715. Certain reports, though not entirely reliable, claim that on his death bed Louis XIV had warned the five year old Dauphin to try to prevent further war.

What was the name of Louis' Spanish wife?

Maria-Theresa. Maria-Theresa was Louis' first cousin. Their marriage was included in the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Mazarin demanded it be part of the treaty and specified that her claim on the Spanish Succession would only be relinquished on the payment of her dowry. This gave the justification for the War of Devolution. Maria-Theresa was a product of many generations of interbreeding. She was without the physical disabilities of many of her relatives, however she had a child-like simplicity and never really conquered the French language.

The Bourbons acquired Spain and the Spanish Empire upon the death of which Spanish monarch?

Charles II. Carlos II was less fortunate than Maria-Theresa and suffered many physical and mental ailments. As such he was never able to produce an heir. In his Will he left his throne to Philip, the Duc d'Anjou, knowing that the French would be able to defend the state in it's entirety. One condition of the Will was that France and Spain were never to unite, a clause broken by Louis XIV, iniating the last of Louis' wars, The War of Spanish Succession.

What was the name of the grand palace built under the orders of Louis XIV?

Versailles&Palace of Versailles. Versailles was one of Louis' greatest achievements. This magnificent building glorified the French monarchy and included many of Louis' personal emblems. The Sun King motif is visible in many of the designs, which in itself was a form of propaganda. The construction of Versailles was aided by many of France's greatest designers, gardeners and painters. These included: Mansart, Le Brun and Le Notre.

Louis and his second wife Madame de Maintenon were strict Roman Catholics, with a disliking for Protestants. Which law did they revoke, angering the protestant states of Europe?

Edict of Nantes. The Edict of Nantes was revoked in October 1685 by Louis. This ended religious toleration for the Huguenots. Louis lost many valuable merchants, soldiers and ministers. This included Vauban, a talented military architect and inventor. Amongst his many achievements he invented the bayonet, ricochet fire and built the star fortifications in the border fortresses, such as Lille.

Which politcal system operated during the reign of Louis XIV?

Absolute Monarchy. Louis was the product of his time and took control of the state. He had many able ministers during the first half of his reign. Colbert, his finance minister managed to double his income and his loyal and effective generals Conde and Turenne secured vital military victories. These, however, began disappear in the second half of his reign.

Who is said to be Louis' nemesis? (He was stadt holder of the United Provinces, soon to become the King of England)

William of Orange. William of Orange had admired the King in his early years, however after the Dutch War, William became more weary of the power hungry king. When William III took the throne of England, Louis was desperate to re-establish the Stuarts, giving James II a French army to fight the English. At the Battle of the Boyne, James was defeated and Louis was forced to accept William as King.

When Louis died in 1715 France embarked on another long period of regency.

True. Louis XIV intended France to be governed by a council, similar to that of Louis III's design. However, Louis' nephew the Duc d'Orleans, had the will annulled and became regent until 1723. Louis XV, Louis XIV's great grandson, inherited the throne as a five year old boy. He died in 1774, by which time France's status in Europe, North America and India had suffered a series of blows.