Louis XIV: The Sun King
Louis XIV was a French monarch who ruled from 1643 until his death in 1715. He was the longest-reigning king in European history and remains an iconic figure to this day. During his reign, he patronised the arts and sciences and created a powerful global empire. His palace at Versailles is a lasting reminder of his grandeur and power.
Born in 1638, Louis was raised in a court of absolute monarchy, where the king was considered to be above the law. His father, Louis XIII, died when Louis was only five years old, meaning that Louis was declared king at a very young age. He was tutored by some of the most respected scholars in Europe and surrounded by a powerful court of advisors.
Louis XIV was an ambitious and powerful ruler. He sought to centralise power in France and establish himself as the most powerful king in Europe. To achieve this, Louis embarked on a series of wars throughout his reign, including the Franco-Dutch War, the War of Devolution, and the War of the Spanish Succession.
On the domestic front, Louis made some significant reforms, such as the Edict of Fontainebleau, which revoked the Edict of Nantes and made Protestantism illegal in France. He also abolished the Estates General and the Parlements, ensuring that he had absolute control over his kingdom.
Louis XIV was an influential figure in the arts and sciences and was known as the ‘Sun King’. He surrounded himself with a court of celebrated scholars, such as Nicolas Boileau, Andre le Notre, and Francois Bernier. He also funded the construction of a number of grand buildings, such as the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre.
Louis XIV died in 1715, having ruled France for 72 years. He was an influential figure who left a lasting mark on European history. His reign saw the rise of absolute monarchy, the development of a powerful French Empire, and the patronage of the arts and sciences. His legacy lives on to this day.