Defining Absolutism
A “centralized form of government
dominated by a monarchy that
shared little power with any other
national institutions.”
King is above the law
Example: France under Louis XIV
Europe: The Age of Absolutism
Cardinal Richelieu (r. 1624 1642)
Louis XIII (d. 1643)
Why did France allow this?
The opposition against the crown was never able
to unify
Too sectionalized
No representative body around which to unify (Estates General
and Parlement stay weak)
Venal positions keep the nobles quibbling
Religion is not a rallying point after 1627
Divine Right
Notion of Hierarchy was widely accepted – It is natural for the
king to be at the head
Christianity and especially Catholicism reinforces this.
Opponents Never waged a convincing defense against this
1627 siege of La Rochelle
French rulers created absolutism by
1. reducing the excessive power of the
nobility,
2. eliminating the Huguenots, and
3. increasing the esteem of the monarchy
Taking away the excessive powers
of the nobility.
Took away dueling
No more castles
System of Intendants
Nobles must focus on venal offices
Eliminating the Huguenots
Edict of Nantes had created a “state within
a state.”
1627 - Richelieu defeated the Huguenot
stronghold of La Rochelle
Richelieu – 1629 Peace of Alias
Nowalled cities, no separate public orgs., no
independent courts of law
Increasing the esteem of
the Monarchy
Henry VI – Government monopolies, canal
system, highway system - corvee (public works
force)
Richelieu - Smart handling of the Thirty Years
War (Anti-Hapsburg despite being Catholic)
Richelieu–employed the arts and printing press
to defend his actions.
Louis XIV – Versailles Propaganda he will be the
best at this.
Cardinal Mazarin
(r. 1642 – 1661)
Louis XIV
Born 1638
ruled 1643-1715
(72 yrs)
Fronde: Challenge to Absolutism
(1648-1653) – Civil Wars
Frondeur was a street punk who threw mud at passing
carriages
Mazarin not as good at controlling the nobility as
Richelieu
Entire regions began to refuse to pay taxes – Intendants
were unhappy
Starts with the Parlement of Paris and spreads to the
countryside
Many rural Parlements (judicial courts) get involved
1651 Mazarin and Louis XIV are forced to flee at one
point
Fronde Ends
Anarchy reigns as Nobles can’t run the
government
1653 Louis XIV returns
French are convinced that a king is the
way to go
Results:
Louis XIV realizes that heavy handed policies
won’t work
Hurt the French economy
Louis XIV Hits his stride 1661
Doesn’t replace Mazarin – plays into
divine right
Le Roi Soleil (The Sun King)
Enter Versailles Propaganda
Saw himself as God’s vicar on
earth for France
Divine Right or Divine Rule
The king rules through God’s
grace
“L etat, c’est moi.” (“I
am the State.”) Louis XIV
Painting by Rigaud
Louvre
Palace of Versailles
La Chateau de Versailles
Built under the direction of achitect, Louis le Vau, beginning in 1668.
Gardens of Versailles
Gardens of Versailles
Grand cour de Versailles
Palace of Versailles (Hall of Mirrors)
The best example of Baroque architecture at the time.
Designed by Charles Le Brun With its 357 mirrors, 17 glass doors, marble walls,
chandeliers and ceiling paintings, it remains — as was the Sun King’s intent — a
sight breathtaking in its majesty.
Palace of Versailles (Hall of Mirrors)
“The Kings Rules for Himself”
Palace of Versailles (Royal Chapel)
Imagery at Versailles (Le Roi Soleil)