-
Louis XIV is born
On September 5, 1638, in Saint-Germaine-en-Laye, France. -
Period: to
Louis XIV Death
Louis died in Versailles on September 1, 1715 at the age of 77 -
Louis' father died
At just the age of 4 1/2 Louis XIV took the throne as he was known as Louis-Dieudonné—French for "Gift of God." meaning he was destined by god to take the throne when his father died -
Marie Mancini and Marie-Thérèse
Louis XIV fell in love with Marie Mancini, Mazarin's niece. Ultimately choosing duty over love, in 1660 he married the daughter of the king of Spain, Marie-Thérèse of Austria, instead. The marriage ensured ratification of the peace treaty that Mazarin had sought to establish with Hapsburg Spain. -
Cardinal Jules Mazarin
Mazarin held the true power throughout Louis XIV's early reign. It wasn't until Mazarin died in 1661, when Louis XIV was in his 20s, that the young king finally took control of the French government. Upon assuming full responsibility for the kingdom, Louis XIV quickly set about reforming France according to his own vision. -
Effects of Marazin on Louis XIV
After Mazarin's death Louis took it personal to take power over the kingdom, then later told his officials that it was his sole responsibility to take over total power of the kingdom. -
Louis, Grand Dauphin
Louis, Grand Dauphin, was the eldest son of Louis XIV of France. Considered a simpleton, he lived a life of leisure most of his life. He saw brief military duty in the Nine Years' War, leading an army to defend Alsace. He also played an important, though minor, role in the Spanish succession, giving up the throne of France to make way for his son to become Philip V of Spain. -
First wife dies
Louis first wife Maria Theresa of Spain dies -
Gets married in the same year his first wife dies
Louis XIV got married the same year his first wife dies, to Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon -
Louis being a devote roman catholic
In 1685 revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which had formerly granted the Huguenots rights as a religious majority. Under the Edict of Fontainebleau, Louis XIV orchestrated the destruction of Protestant churches and schools throughout France and forced all children to be educated and baptized as Catholics. The revocation and the new edict served to alienate Protestants, prompting many to leave France and seek religious freedom elsewhere.
