King Louis XIV of France

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that King Louis XIV, who reigned over France from 1643 to 1715, was one of the most infamous absolute monarchs of Europe. The author reports that, in his reign, the powers previously given to the Estates General were made obsolete thus making all of the Kings subjects, regardless of rank, pawns of the ruling dictator. The paper points out that Louis XIV had many critics who disapproved of his absolute power and censured the frivolous manner in which he ruled his court. The author relates that, through Colbert's implicit and careful diplomacy, the secret diary writings of the duc de Saint-Simon and the contrived, fictional letters penned by Montesquieu, the modern reader is presented with an accurate picture of the tensions of the times, the trivialities of the monarchs, and the discontent that was secretly raging behind the absolute monarchy.

From the Paper:

"In the early years of his reign, Louis XIV had as his General of Finances Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who, it can be deduced from his writings, knew just as well as his advisors and mistresses did how to best manipulate the King, as well as provide his negative opinions on the state of the monarchy to the general public without incurring the anger or Louis XIV. Colbert, who in 1664 wished to convince Louis XIV to participate in overseas trade, while also hoping to sway the general public to be of this opinion as well, wrote of the tumultuous state of the monarchy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Duc de Saint-Simon: The Court of Louis XIV", Modern History Sourcebook (www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/17stsimon.html) p1.
• "Duc de Saint-Simon, A Portrait of the Sun King", From the Memoirs of Louis de Rouvroy, Duke of Saint-Simon
• Jean-Baptiste Colbert, On the Advantages of Overseas Trade, 1664.
• Montesquieu, The Persian Letters (Penguin Classics, London, England, 1973)

More papers on King Louis XIV of France:

• Essay # 4350 : "King Louis XIV, The Sun King"
• Comparison Essay # 40455 : "Rembrandt and Louis XIV: My Two Companions in 1660"
• Analytical Essay # 132243 : "Louis XIV: France's Youngest King"

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