The popular tendency to refer to him as the prototype of all autocrats suffers the usual inadequacies of a stereotype. The acme of absolutist thought was provided by jacquesbenigne bossuet 16271704, bishop of meaux, court theologian and political theorist under louis xiv. With original documents the quality of the evidence is very strong, and has incidental value on other points. A brief study with documents the bedford series in history and culture kindle edition by beik, william. Investigate the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and successful rulers. Mazarin doesnt seem to have educated louis very well, but it seems like he did a good job of teaching him about statecraft. Justification of absolutism by thomas hobbes, jacques benigne bossuet, and analysis of louis xiv rule reveal why absolutism in ineffective. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. This book represents the life of louis, who revived french monarchy.
He became titular king when he five, and had several regents, two of whom were cardinal mazarin and louis mother, anne of austria. Volume vii of will and ariel durants multivolume story of civilization, this book documents more detail of the era than any others which i have read. William beik has 34 books on goodreads with 780 ratings. Louis xivs palace of versailles is the epitome of the principles of absolutism. Phil mccluskey is lecturer in the history of early modern europe at the university of sheffield. Louis xiii died in 1643, and his son became king louis xiv. 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. 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.
A brief study with documents the bedford series in history and culture by william beik jan 20, 2000 4. Louis xiv, byname louis the great, louis the grand monarch, or the sun king, french louis le grand, louis le grand monarque, or le roi soleil, born september 5, 1638, saintgermainenlaye, francedied september 1, 1715, versailles, france, king of france 16431715 who ruled his country, principally from his great palace at versailles, during one of its most brilliant periods and who. Kangxi and louis xiv were both shining examples for absolutist rule. 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. These various references to classicism were meant to reinforce louis xivs rule as a strong and centralized authority figure. The court of louis xiv, from memoires at this site. The book instead charts the efforts to overcome the practical obstacle to the kings theoretical authority. A brief study with documents the bedford series in history and culture 97803123092. Louis xiv on tv, or why its not helpful to compare the sun king to. The absolutism of king louis xiv essay 511 words bartleby. 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. 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. 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 writing style throughout the book is very strong and consistent making the read entertaining. John wolfs book on louis xiv has been noted as the book on louis xiv. 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 did not want to allow protestants to practice their faith in largely catholic france. 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.
Over the past year i have read extensively about the 17th century. The book is a combination of a biography of louis and a history of france at the time. Due to its removal of selfauthority, vulnerability to a power, and the possibility of weakening a country make absolutism inefficient. Notably among the original document was louise xiv letter to his son on ruling. Read while you wait get immediate ebook access when you order a print book. Absolutism under louis xiv essay sample new york essays. 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. Explore the meaning of absolute monarchy by examining how louis xiv of france became one of europes most famous and.
He was named louis dieudonne louis the godgiven and bore the traditional title of french heirs apparent. There is a focus on the early reforms of louis xiv. Orcibal royal administration in a frontier province. The theory of absolutism essay 3273 words bartleby. 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.
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. Other articles where the age of louis xiv is discussed. Absolute monarchy or absolutism meant that the sovereign power or ultimate. William beiks most popular book is the ottoman empire, 17001922 new approaches to european hi. The book begins with sections on france and england. The age of louis xiv is the best book which i have found on the period.
This unique collection of documents with commentary explore. A brief study with documents the bedford series in history and culture 97803123092 by beik, william and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Jeanchristian petitfils but, unfortunately, its in french, and i wasnt able to find an english translation. Absolutism under louis xiv louis xiv lived from 1638 1715 and became the king of france in 1654. Bossuets vision in politics drawn from the very words of holy scripture. One historians reply to this question is brief and to the point. The intellectual development of louis xiv from 1661 to 1715. This book has become a personal interest to me because through this book i learnt various new and astonishing. The best biography on louis xiv ive read to date is written by jeanchristian petitfils louis xvi. Court preacher to louis xiv of france, bossuet was a strong advocate of political absolutism and the divine right of kings. Let us not talk of absolutism, that empty word into which everyone reads the meaning he wants, that. List of books and articles about louis xiv online research library. 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.
As an absolutist king, louis xiv was profoundly influenced by classicism. 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. This original and lively biography focuses on louis s personal life while keeping the needs of the. Books by william beik author of louis xiv and absolutism. The influence of classicism can be seen throughout the palace. Mme du chatelet herself wrote an examen, highly critical of the two testaments. The day after cardinal mazarins death, louis xiv, at the age of twenty three. Download that books into available format 2019 update. A novel of louis xiv by karleen koen, love and louis xiv.
His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country in european history. Louis xiv and absolution ragnhild marie hatton palgrave. There is no higher power and even the parliament could not overrule louis decisions. Louis xiv and absolutism booksamillion online book store. The absolutism of louis xiv as social collaboration jstor. Popular louis xiv books meet your next favorite book. This book has delineated the successes of louis and the concept of absolutism as a secondary source. Bibliography includes bibliographical references p. Professor keohane justly comments that louis xiv is not content to compare himself to god. He argued that government was divine and that kings received their power from god. Louis xiv absolutism essay examples 965 words 4 pages.
Absolutism is the system of rule that allows one or more rulers to maintain absolute power over everything in the land. Louis xiv and absolutism by william beik, 97803123092, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Louis xiv and absolutism, 1st edition macmillan learning. 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. Letter to the town officers and people of marseilles, august 26, 1664 at hanover on economic modernization. The book, louis xiv and absolutism, is written by william beik. 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. Problems of interpretation the intellectual development of louis xiv from 1661to 1715 a. 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 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. 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.
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