The day after cardinal mazarins death, louis xiv, at the age of twenty three. As an absolutist king, louis xiv was profoundly influenced by classicism. The absolutism of louis xiv as social collaboration jstor. Louis xiv and absolutism a brief study with documents first edition 2000 william beik this unique collection of documents with commentary explores the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and successful rulers. In the age of absolutism in europe, louis xiv s france was a leader in the. Read while you wait get immediate ebook access when you order a print book. Investigate the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and successful rulers. Louis xiii died in 1643, and his son became king louis xiv. Kangxi and louis xiv were both shining examples for absolutist rule. Perhaps he was motivated by religion, but it is more likely that louis, who believed in the motto, one king, one law, one faith, felt that the existence of this minority undermined his own political authority. Absolute monarchy or absolutism meant that the sovereign power or ultimate. This unique collection of documents with commentary explores the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and successful rulers. Louis xiv and absolutism examines the problems of the fronde, colberts grasp of the economic and fiscal dimensions of the kingdom, the taming of the rural nobility, the interaction of royal ministers and provincial authorities, the repression of. Mme du chatelet herself wrote an examen, highly critical of the two testaments.
This book has delineated the successes of louis and the concept of absolutism as a secondary source. One historians reply to this question is brief and to the point. Although most people know a little bit about the sun king, in this history, his actions and motives are explored to reveal a different person than the one the history texts describe. The intellectual development of louis xiv from 1661 to 1715. Problems of interpretation the intellectual development of louis xiv from 1661to 1715 a. The book begins with sections on france and england. These various references to classicism were meant to reinforce louis xivs rule as a strong and centralized authority figure. A brief study with documents the bedford series in history and culture by william beik jan 20, 2000 4.
Court preacher to louis xiv of france, bossuet was a strong advocate of political absolutism and the divine right of kings. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country in european history. Let us not talk of absolutism, that empty word into which everyone reads the meaning he wants, that. This book represents the life of louis, who revived french monarchy. A novel of louis xiv by karleen koen, love and louis xiv. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading louis xiv and absolutism. The influence of classicism can be seen throughout the palace.
This book has become a personal interest to me because through this book i learnt various new and astonishing. This unique collection of documents with commentary explore. Bossuets vision in politics drawn from the very words of holy scripture. The absolutism of king louis xiv essay 511 words bartleby. Louis xiv, absolutism, and divine right 129 i louis xiv is a classic example of a political thinker whose ideas are fre quently alluded to but rarely examined. Mar 14, 2000 louis xiv and absolutism by william beik, 97803123092, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. As absolute monarch, louis xiv set about reforming the state politically, economically and culturally. He became titular king when he five, and had several regents, two of whom were cardinal mazarin and louis mother, anne of austria. Bossuet chides louis xiv about the state of his soul. The book instead charts the efforts to overcome the practical obstacle to the kings theoretical authority. William beik has 34 books on goodreads with 780 ratings. Books by william beik author of louis xiv and absolutism. Other articles where the age of louis xiv is discussed.
A brief study with documents the bedford series in history and culture 97803123092. Introduction louis xiv and french absolutism absolutism in theory french absolutionism in practice the landed nobility the robe nobility royal commissioners the catholic church the urban bourgeoisie the lower classes part two the documents confronting french society during the fronde the. The reign of frances louis xiv 16381715, known as the sun king, lasted for 72 years, longer than that of any other known european sovereign. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Justification of absolutism by thomas hobbes, jacques benigne bossuet, and analysis of louis xiv rule reveal why absolutism in ineffective. Discover librarianselected research resources on louis xiv from the questia. Louis xiv came to the throne in 1638 at the age of four with the monarchy on a knife edge and died 72 years later with his country virtually bankrupt. The popular tendency to refer to him as the prototype of all autocrats suffers the usual inadequacies of a stereotype. Louis xiv absolutism absolute monarchy or absolutism means that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right. The best biography on louis xiv ive read to date is written by jeanchristian petitfils louis xvi. Jul 06, 2019 louis xiv came to the throne in 1638 at the age of four with the monarchy on a knife edge and died 72 years later with his country virtually bankrupt. Louis xiv and absolutism, 1st edition macmillan learning. Louis xivs palace of versailles is the epitome of the principles of absolutism. Absolutism is the system of rule that allows one or more rulers to maintain absolute power over everything in the land.
Download that books into available format 2019 update. Popular louis xiv books meet your next favorite book. Louis xiv absolutism essay examples 965 words 4 pages. Explore the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and. Louis xiv on tv, or why its not helpful to compare the sun king to. Louis xiv and absolutism booksamillion online book store. Louis xiv and absolutism by william beik, 97803123092, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Mazarin doesnt seem to have educated louis very well, but it seems like he did a good job of teaching him about statecraft. List of books and articles about louis xiv online research library. A brief study with documents by william beik overview this unique collection of documents with commentary explores the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and successful rulers. There is no higher power and even the parliament could not overrule louis decisions. Absolutism under louis xiv louis xiv lived from 1638 1715 and became the king of france in 1654. There is a focus on the early reforms of louis xiv. The age of louis xiv is the best book which i have found on the period.
This original and lively biography focuses on louis s personal life while keeping the needs of the. Letter to the town officers and people of marseilles, august 26, 1664 at hanover on economic modernization. Mcgowen gtf nick oneill feb 25, 20 absolutism most historians would argue that the years 1660 to 1789 could be summarized as an age of absolutism, the period from the restoration in england and the personal rule of louis xiv up to the beginning of the french revolution. Bibliography includes bibliographical references p. Professor keohane justly comments that louis xiv is not content to compare himself to god. Louis xiv and absolution ragnhild marie hatton palgrave. This document collection explores how louis xiv sought to embody absolutism through his personal rule by examining the theory behind absolutism, louiss own writings on kingship, and the observations of eyewitnesses at his court, shedding light on traditions of royal government in europe since the middle ages. The writing style throughout the book is very strong and consistent making the read entertaining.
Due to its removal of selfauthority, vulnerability to a power, and the possibility of weakening a country make absolutism inefficient. He was named louis dieudonne louis the godgiven and bore the traditional title of french heirs apparent. The latter was still too young to take the throne, so his mother became regent, ruling along richelieus protege, jules mazarin, who continued richelieus policies and focus on taxation and royal centralization. Jeanchristian petitfils but, unfortunately, its in french, and i wasnt able to find an english translation. He argued that government was divine and that kings received their power from god. William beiks most popular book is the ottoman empire, 17001922 new approaches to european hi. At the time he became king, france was financially ruined, politically corrupt, and divided between warring nobles and private armies and under the threat of riots from the people, especially in paris. The court of louis xiv, from memoires at this site.
The acme of absolutist thought was provided by jacquesbenigne bossuet 16271704, bishop of meaux, court theologian and political theorist under louis xiv. The book, louis xiv and absolutism, is written by william beik. Phil mccluskey is lecturer in the history of early modern europe at the university of sheffield. Orcibal royal administration in a frontier province. With original documents the quality of the evidence is very strong, and has incidental value on other points. Louis xiv ruled france for more than half a century and is typically remembered for his absolutism, his patronage of the arts and his lavish lifestyle culminating in the building of versailles. Any book by olivier bernier is a winner, and he doesnt disappoint with louis xiv, a fascinating, indepth account of the life of frances greatest king. Over the past year i have read extensively about the 17th century.