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Louis Becomes King Of France
Louis XIV became king at the age of four. His reign was the most impactful and longest that has ever lasted of any European Monarch. He began ruling after the death of his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin. -
Louis's Childhood Trauma
Louis was nine years old when the nobles and the Paris Parlement (a powerful law court), driven by hatred of the prime minister Cardinal Mazarin, rose against the crown. This marked the beginning of the long civil war known as the Fronde, when which Louis suffered poverty, misfortune, fear, humiliation, cold, and hunger. -
King Louis Becomes Crowned
Louis XIV was crowned and consecrated in Reims France. Immediately afterwards, Louis XIV takes part in war against Spain on northern, north-eastern, and eastern frontiers of france. -
Louis's Biggest Goal
Once the cheif minister passed away, Louis took everything under his control. During a young age, the nobles who led the riots threatened the young king's life. Even after the violence was over, Louis never forgot about his fear or his anger at the nobility. He was determined to become so strong they could never threaten him again. -
The Grand Dauphin
King Louis's first child is born on November 1st. One decade later, he has five more children with his wife, Maria Teresa. -
Louis Attempts to Extend Borders
King Louis's biggest goal was to secure France's borders so he tries to expand them. He captured the Spanish Netherlands and gained about twelve towns and more land for his country. After gaining more power geographically, he led his army to invade the Dutch Netherlands but they had failed. -
Louis Claims the Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles used to be a lodge and it was built in 1624. King Louis expanded the palace to prove his absolute power as well as his artistic preferences. He surrounded the palace with artisans and unique artwork. -
The Man Of Arts
Louis XIV had many politicians in charge of political and economic issues, so he focused on art, especially opera and ballet. Under Louis, the main purpose of art was to glory the king and help his ruling. -
Edict of Nantes Gets Cancelled
King Louis slows down the economic process of France, so he cancelled the Edict of Nantes which protects the religious rights of the Huguenots. This lead to many merchants and skilled workers to flee the country. -
The Great Alliance
France was becoming extremely strong, so many European countries made an alliance and equaled France's strength to weaken their power and stop them from invading more land. Louis had no choice but to raise taxes and pay for his wars, so France began to suffer. -
War of the Spanish Succession
There was a war that lasted for thirteen years and various European countries fought to prevent the Bourbon family from controlling Spain and France. This was a large downfall for King Louis's ruling era because France lost their colonies and wealth. -
The Death of the Sun King
King Louis tragically dies, and he realized that all the wars he caused had ruined France and his subjects' had to go through a lot of suffering. The people of France had enough of King Louis.
