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 SUN KING
Louis XIV was the king of France from 1643to1715 and was known as the Sun King became king when he was four, he did not assume his full powers until 1661, after the death of the famous Cardinal Mazarin. Louis then became his own “first minister” and embarked upon years of personalized government. Louis thoroughly enjoyed being king. He desired to shine in his role and a prime aim of his government was to foster any project that added to the king’s glory.
He became a great patron of the arts and gave personal encouragement to writers who were to become some of the greatest names in French literature, including Moliere and Racine.
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Architecture, of course, was one of the most obvious ways of adding to the grandeur of his feign. The palace of Versailles also took shape under his mind and frequently altered the plans for the palace. In 11685 Versailles, by then one of Europe’s most beautiful palaces became the sun king’s permanent seat of government. Louis entertained on an appropriately lavish scale and the grace, elegance and excesses of his Court became a by-word throughout the civilized world. But he did have excellent taste. The delightful chateau of Marley-le-poi is another example of this. Life at Court was governed by careful and meticulous rules, although the Sun King’s love affairs were greatly resented by the nobility since his various mistresses were given high rank and exercised a considerable influence on policy. But despite ‘Louis’ very dubious private life he revelled in the title of “most Christian king” and did his best to protect the Catholic religion. This resulted in him making life for his protestant subjects thoroughly uncomfortable. Indeed, in 1685 he issued an edict under which Protestantism was no longer tolerated in France. It is easy to smile at some of the Sun King’s excesses but even Voltaire, the reign for the glory it added to the fame of France and French civilization.
Louis encouraged good administration, promoted industry and attended diligently to his duties as “first minister” and steered France through the long war of the Spanish Succession. |
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