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Home , Alexandre Bontemps, Cardinal Mazarin, Charles XI of Sweden, Chateau, Gardens of Versailles, Heir apparent

Court of Versailles: The Reign of Louis XIV

BearMUN 2020 Chair: Tarun Sreedhar Crisis Director: Nicole Ru

Table of Contents

Welcome Letters 2

France before Louis XIV 4 Religious History in 4 Rise of Calvinism 4 Religious Violence Takes Hold 5 Henry IV and the of 6 Louis XIII 7 Louis XIII and Huguenot Uprisings 7 Domestic and Foreign Policy before under Louis XIII 9 The Influence of 9

Early Days of Louis XIV’s Reign (1643-1661) 12 & Cardinal Jules Mazarin 12 Foreign Policy 12 Internal Unrest 15

Louis XIV Assumes Control 17 Economy 17 Religion 19 Foreign Policy 20 War of Devolution 20 Franco-Dutch War 21 Internal Politics 22 24 Construction of the of Versailles 24

Current Situation 25

Questions to Consider 26

Character List 31

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Delegates,

My name is Tarun Sreedhar and as your Chair, it's my pleasure to welcome you to the

Court of Versailles! Having a great interest in European and political history, I'm eager to observe how the court balances issues regarding the French economy and foreign policy, all the while maintaining a good relationship with the regardless of in-court politics.

About me: I'm double majoring in Computer Science and Business at Cal, with a minor in Public Policy. I've been involved in MUN in both the high school and college circuits for 6 years now. Besides MUN, I'm also involved in tech startup incubation and consulting both on and off-campus. When I'm free, I'm either binging TV (favorite shows are Game of Thrones, House of Cards, and Peaky Blinders) or rooting for the

Lakers. I'm looking forward to joining you for an exciting committee!

Best,

Tarun Sreedhar

Chair

Court of Versailles: The Reign of Louis XIV

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Delegates,

Hello! My name is Nicole Ru, and I will be your Crisis Director for Court of Versailles:

The Reign of Louis XIV at this year’s BearMUN conference. The served as the residence for French royalty from 1682 up until the .

The king that established the palace as we know it today, Louis XIV, reigned for 72 years as a powerful , but his reign was not without conflict. I’m thrilled to see how this court addresses the challenge of balancing Louis XIV’s proclivity for war with the needs of peasants whilst navigating through the politics of the royal palace.

As for myself, I am a sophomore from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hoping to major in Psychology with the eventual plan of attending medical school. Outside of MUN, I was formerly involved in the Outreach Committee for the American Institute of

Chemical Engineers and the Public Health Committee for the American Medical

Student Association. I play the clarinet in the UC Berkeley Wind Ensemble, and in my free time, I enjoy playing board games, Stardew Valley, and Overcooked, crocheting, running, learning languages (French and Mandarin), reading, and writing novels. I’m excited to welcome all of you to this committee!

Best,

Nicole Ru

Crisis Director

Court of Versailles: The Reign of Louis XIV

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France before Louis XIV

Religious History in France

Rise of Calvinism

Prior to the 16th century, the held significant amounts of wealth and political influence. With this power came significant corruption: The Church sold indulgences, or spiritual privileges, engaged in nepotism, and controlled printing so that the was only printed in Latin. This was primarily done to maintain social classes and prevent upward mobility. Such practices caused individuals like Martin

Luther, famous author of the 95 Theses, to challenge the Church’s spiritual authority.

During the , John Calvin, a leading Protestant figure, created a branch of known as Calvinism. Calvinism placed an emphasis on predestination, or the idea that God determines whether or not someone would be saved when they were born. It was believed that there were only a select few with such grace, and if an individual is part of this select few, they always will be. If someone is not selected, there is not anything they can do to become a part of the elect.

Calvinism quickly spread into many regions, but especially took hold in France, where the , tradesman, military officers, and urban upper classes were drawn to

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it.1 French nobles had begun to feel particularly disgruntled at losing many of their privileges to the , so adopting Calvinism provided them a chance to change that by diminishing the power of the Church.2 French Calvinists began to be known as the H​ uguenots,​ and by the mid 1560s, there were millions of in France. The introduction of Calvinism to France proved to be a turning point in French history, as it set off centuries of conflict between Catholics and Protestants.

Religious Violence Takes Hold

At first, because there were fewer followers of Calvinism, it was tolerated. However, this changed very quickly; as the amount of Calvinists rapidly increased, Catholic resentment grew and religious violence began to persist.

One such example occurred on March 1, 1562, Huguenots were holding a religious service in a barn in Wassy,

France. The of Guise, a staunch

Catholic, led a group of soldiers to massacre over fifty people and injure hundreds of others. The Duke claimed this was not premeditated and was

1 Bouwsma, William J. “Calvinism.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 28 May 2020. www.britannica.com/topic/Calvinism.

2 Nexon, Daniel H. ​Struggle for Power in : Religious Conflict, Dynastic Empires, and International Change​. Princeton University Press, 2011.

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simply a response to his troops being provoked. Protestants, however, saw this as the start of a series of religious wars.34

One of the worst incidents that occurred was in 1572, known as St.

Bartholomew’s Massacre. Catherine de Medici, who was afraid of growing Huguenot influence, persuaded her son, current King IX, to murder Huguenots. She convinced him with the reasoning that there was a risk that they may rebel against the

Catholic reign. Given Charles’ approval, Catherine secretly met with a group of Catholic nobles, ordering them to kill Huguenot leaders. On August 24th, the violence began with prominent Huguenot leaders being murdered and their homes and shops being pillaged. After a few days, Charles tried to end the killings but he could not stop the massacre. This brutal violence continued for two months, and ultimately ended with over 70,000 Huguenots being killed throughout France.5

Henry IV and the

The first hope for change from the many years of violent religious conflict came in the form of Henry IV taking the throne in 1594. Henry’s mother, a resolute Calvinist, raised

3 “The Massacre of Wassy (1562).” M​ usée Protestant​, 28 July 2015. www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/the-massacre-of-wassy-1562/.

4 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre- 1572 “The Palace of Versailles: Sun King Louis XIV's Ultimate Power Play.” ​HistoryExtra​. www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/palace-versailles-facts-history-court-sun-king-louis-xiv-france/.

5 “Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre.” H​ istory.com​. A&E Television Networks, 3 Mar. 2010. www.history.com/this-day-in-history/saint-bartholomews-day-massacre.

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Henry with strict principles of Protestantism. When he was , his mother encouraged him to fight for Protestant forces and rebel against Roman Catholics. This was likely a contributing factor to his support for Protestants during his reign. Once

Henry IV officially became King, however, he faced extensive opposition and disgruntlement from the Catholic .6 After years of conflict, Henry decided, hesitantly, to convert back to Catholicism, ending cause for resistance within France.

In April 1598, Henry IV signed the Edict of Nantes. In a broad sense, the Edict allowed for peaceful coexistence for both Catholics and Protestants, bringing an end to many years of religious conflict. More specifically, the Edict granted Protestants annual grants, 150 places of refuge, freedom of opinion, and right of access to education and positions of public responsibility. In addition, Protestants had to pay 10% of their earnings to Catholic priests, as a tax, and Mass was celebrated throughout France.

However, it is important to note that Protestants were only allowed freedom of worship in specific places; it continued to be strictly forbidden in most places, including the

King’s court.7

In addition to restoring peace to France again, Henry IV saw many other successes during his reign. He significantly reduced the national debt, improved agriculture, and encouraged the development of many key industries, including silk and glassware. In doing so, he brought great economic prosperity to France in a much

6 , Raymond, and Victor-Lucien Tapié. “ to the Throne.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica,​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 May 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-IV-king-of-France/Heir-presumptive-to-the-throne.

7 “The Edict of Nantes (1598).” ​Musée Protestant,​ 14 January 2015. www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/the-edict-of-nantes-1598/.

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needed time. Henry also played a key role in diminishing Spain’s power, acquiring key territories in the eastern border of France.

Louis XIII

Louis XIII and Huguenot Uprisings

Louis XIII took over the throne after Henry IV was assassinated by a fanatical Catholic,

François Ravaillac, in 1610.8 Louis’ reign saw many changes in France, particularly in regards to religious tensions. While Henry IV had passed the Edict of Nantes,

Huguenots still faced many restrictions and were wary of Louis XIII. As a result, in the beginning of Louis XIII’s reign, Huguenots had started to reassert themselves and form independent, self-governed groups in southwest France. Louis had also inherited the responsibility, from Henry IV, of returning land to the Catholic Church that originally belonged to them. This left the Huguenots extremely disgruntled, as they primarily lived in the land Louis was restoring to the

Roman Catholic Church. Louis responded to their anger by occupying the areas with his army.9

8 Ritter, Raymond, and Victor-Lucien Tapié. “The Achievements of the Reign.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 May 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-IV-king-of-France/The-achievements-of-the-reign.

9 “Louis XIII and Religion.” H​ istory Learning Site​, 17 March 2015. www.historylearningsite.co.uk/france-in-the-seventeenth-century/louis-xiii-and-religion/.

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In 1627, Huguenots in rose up against Louis XIII, upset by Louis’ pro-Catholic policies. To cut off La Rochelle from the mainland, Louis’ Chief Minister ordered the construction of nine miles of entrenchments. The English tried to promote the rebellion, largely to diminish French power, but were immediately cut off, as a seawall was constructed to block the channel leading to La Rochelle. Left with no support, La Rochelle struggled for months, fighting even while faced with famine and disease.10 Finally, they were forced to surrender and in doing so, left France free to continue to pursue policies that discriminated against Protestants. This marked the beginning of a long period of persecution of Protestants in France.11 12

Domestic and Foreign Policy before under Louis XIII

The Influence of Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu, a French statesman, began to serve as Louis XIII’s chief minister beginning in 1624. Richelieu was a brilliant leader, credited with much of France’s economic growth at the time. Richelieu worked with Louis to focus on a few main goals.

10 Field, Jacob F. “.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 March 2017. www.britannica.com/event/Siege-of-La-Rochelle.

11 “Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Aug 2020.” Encyclopedia.com​. Encyclopedia.com, 26 August 2020. www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/french-history-biographies/louis-xiii.

12 Siege of La Rochelle- 1627. ​Siege of La Rochelle.​ 1881, Musée d'Orbigny Bernon.

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Firstly, Richelieu sought to centralize power. A key part of meeting this goal was curtailing the power of the nobility. He handpicked the people who ran the administration, preferring those with greater ability for senior positions rather than focusing on family background. This, in turn, restricted the influence of senior nobility such as the Duke of Orleans and Marie de Medici, who had previously held more power.

13 He also abolished the position of Constable of France, the second-in-command to the

King, so the King could have greater control over the army.14 Additionally, Richelieu ordered the destruction of any fortified castles that weren’t necessarily needed to defend against invaders, stripping away defenses that could be used in case of rebellion. This action made it far more difficult for Protestants to rebel against the King.

Secondly, he sought to make sure France was more economically self-sufficient.

He did so by encouraging the development of the silk, wool, glass, and industries through increased funding. He also encouraged companies to establish colonies in places such as the West Indies and the Americas. Additionally, he facilitated the building of a fairly large navy to promote these ventures.

In addition to his economic interests, Richelieu also played an important role in

France’s foreign policy at the time. He wanted to decrease the power of the Habsburg , one of the most prominent royal houses in Europe. The Habsburg family had been ruling Austria, Spain, and the for hundreds of years,

13 “Richelieu and Absolutism.” ​History Learning Site,​ 17 March 2015. www.historylearningsite.co.uk/france-in-the-seventeenth-century/richelieu-and-absolutism/.

14 McLean, Assistant Professor John. “Western Civilization.” ​France and Cardinal Richelieu | Western Civilization​. courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/france-and-cardinal-richelieu/.

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becoming extremely powerful by the end of the 16th century.15 Since 1618, the

Habsburgs had been fighting in the Thirty Years War, a war that started between the

Protestant and Catholic states in the Holy Roman Empire. France had not initially gotten involved, instead providing aid to the Habsburgs’ adversaries. One particular example is that Richelieu, specifically encouraged to intervene militarily.

However, by 1635, with Gustavus II of Sweden dead, Richelieu decided that it was time to intervene in the conflict. Forming an alliance with Sweden and the United Provinces, he declared war on Spain, turning it from a conflict between Protestantism and

Catholicism to one about nationalism and Habsburg .16 Richelieu did not live till the end of the Thirty Years War. However, by the early , Spanish rulers faced internal obstacles in the form of Portugese revolts.17 The conflict ended with French victory in 1643, after decades of fighting.18

An unfortunate consequence of Richelieu’s pursuit of the Thirty Years War and his many economic goals was the enormous economic burden placed on peasants. All of his economic pursuits were financed by an increase in the , which was approximately doubled between 1626 and 1636. In addition, Louis introduced a salt tax,

15 Royde-Smith, John Graham. “The World Power of the Habsburgs.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 Oct. 2019. www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Habsburg/The-world-power-of-the-Habsburgs.

16 ​​. History World. www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=igb.

17 History.com Editors. “Thirty Years' War.” H​ istory.com​. A&E Television Networks, 9 November 2009. www.history.com/topics/reformation/thirty-years-war.

18 McLean, John. “Western Civilization.” ​Swedish-French Intervention | Western Civilization.​ courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/swedish-french-intervention/.

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which led to significant peasant rebellions due to how commonly salt was used.

Richelieu, showing no sympathy, violently ended these rebellions through the use of martial and mass executions.19 While this temporarily ended the rebellion, it only served to increase the peasants’ anger in the long term.

Finally, in addition to the many other goals he pursued, Louis XIII also commissioned the building of a hunting lodge at Versailles- a lodge that would go on to become the grand Palace of Versailles after Louis XIV’s reconstruction. The lodge was designed to accommodate Louis XIII and his entourage, and he was particularly fond of the place due to the popularity of hunting at the time.20

19 “Richelieu and Finance.” H​ istory Learning Site​, 17 March 2015. www.historylearningsite.co.uk/france-in-the-seventeenth-century/richelieu-and-finance/.

20 “Louis XIII.” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 29 October 2019. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/louis-xiii.

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Early Days of Louis XIV’s Reign (1643-1661)

Anne of Austria & Cardinal Jules Mazarin

Cardinal Jules Mazarin was the first Chief Minister of France after Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642. Prior to becoming the Chief Minister, Mazarin was in the diplomatic service of the Holy See and devotedly served Cardinal Richeliu. As Chief Minister,

Mazarin worked side by side with Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, who became the sole after Louis XIII’s death. The regent is the individual appointed to act as monarch because the reigning monarch is unable to serve in their position. In this case it was necessary to appoint a regent because while Louis XIV technically inherited the throne in 1643, he was only four years old at this time.21

Foreign Policy

Mazarin played an important role in promoting the negotiation of the Peace of

Westphalia, the peace treaties that ended the aforementioned Thirty Years War and guided European states’ foreign policy in the coming years. The peace negotiations

21 Dethan, Georges. “Jules, .” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 July 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Cardinal-Jules-Mazarin.

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began in 1644 and lasted four years, with many parties including Sweden, France, and

Spain. Previously, there was a great deal of ambiguity surrounding territorial disputes.

The treaty, however, recognized the sovereignty of each member over its people and land as well as the ability of any state to enter into treaties with other states.​ 22

Specifically, under the treaties there were many important territorial adjustments. France gained control of , , , and Verden, all of which are in northeastern France, allowing for a stronghold west of the . Switzerland formally gained independence and Sweden gained several key territories near the Baltic

Sea.23 In doing so, Sweden also gained a vote in the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman

Empire, which allowed them to play a role in making key decisions for the large, powerful Empire. With these key territorial adjustments came a lowering of trade barriers and controls over navigation, both of which were key to economic growth in France.24

22 P​ eace of Westphalia- 1648. Ter Borch, Gerard. ​The Ratification of the Treaty of Münster.​ 1648, .

23 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “.” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 23 Jan. 2020. www.britannica.com/event/Peace-of-Westphalia.

24 Territorial Changes with Peace of Westphalia- 1648. ​Europa, 1648.

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In addition to territorial changes, the Peace of Westphalia was composed of many other important provisions. All parties agreed to recognize the Peace of

Augsburg, meaning each monarchy had the right to determine the religion of their state. More importantly, religious toleration was established in all states for those who were Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Calvinist- the three largest religious communities at the time. All states had to guarantee these groups the right to practice their faith privately and publicly (at certain hours of the day) even if their denomination was not the official state religion.25

Overall, however, it is important to note that despite bringing a general settlement, the Peace of Westphalia did not bring a complete end to the many conflicts in the Thirty Years War. France and Spain continued to fight, as Spain avoided reaching full peace settlements. This time, France had extensive support. Mazarin formed an alliance with England and together, they overpowered Spain at the Battle of Dunes.26

France also allied with several German states in 1658 in an alliance known as the

League of Rhine, leading Spain to finally sit at the negotiating table. In November, 1659,

France and Spain agreed to the . In this treaty, Spain ceded the province of , which established the Pyrenees as the boundary between France and Spain. The French acquisition of Alsace and other territories in the Peace of

Westphalia was officially ratified and Spain regained the territory France conquered in

25 McLean, John. “Western Civilization.” ​The Peace of Westphalia | Western Civilization,​ courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/the-peace-of-westphalia/.

26 Waldie, Dr Derek J.P. ​THE TREATY OF THE PYRENEES 1659 (CW).​ www.timewisetraveller.co.uk/pyrenees.html.

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Catalonia. Finally, as a part of the settlement, Louis XIV was officially married to Marie

Theresa, daughter of Spanish king Philip IV, uniting these two powerful families.

Internal Unrest

Even as France was engaged in intense negotiations and conflict with other countries, there was extensive unrest within it. There were a series of revolts in France from 1648 to 1653, known as .

The first Fronde, known as the Fronde of the Parliament took place in 1648 and

1649, largely because Cardinal Mazarin and Anne issued a hefty tax on judicial officials in the Parliament. There was an urgent need for money, as France had spent large amounts of money on recent wars, particularly the Thirty Years War.27 When the tax on

Parliamentary officials was proposed, it was ill received. The Parliament not only rejected the proposal but also drafted a new plan that would place constitutional limits on the monarchy, seeking to abolish intendants and reduce taxes.

28 Mazarin attempted to arrest the

Parliamentary officials, which only served to further anger the populace. People barricaded streets and threw stones at of

Mazarin’s associates. Cardinal Mazarin and Anne were forced to let go of the officials

27 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “The Fronde.” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica​, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 5 February 2014. www.britannica.com/event/The-Fronde.

28 “War of the Fronde.” ​Then Again,​ www.thenagain.info/WebChron/WestEurope/Fronde.html.

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and hide as the royal army occupied the streets. Finally, in 1649, the and the

Parliament negotiated the Peace of Rueil, which gave the Parliament their concessions such as tax reduction and ending arbitrary imprisonment.29 30

The second Fronde, known as the Fronde of the , began in 1650. This rebellion was fueled by greed, rivalry, and high ambition. de Conde, a great general, who played a key role in France’s success in the Thirty Years War, felt he deserved political power in return for his accomplishments. Mazarin arrested de Conde, but when many nobles began to band together against Mazarin, he was forced to release de Conde. After extensive fighting and repeated shifts of alliances, the Fronde eventually disintegrated and many nobles were exiled and thoroughly ashamed. The

Fronde of the Princes clearly revealed the selfish nature of nobles and the need to ensure the monarchy was undisputed. It set the stage for the relentless pursuit of royal absolutism that characterized France for many years afterward. Conflicts between nobles and their greediness would prove to be a consistent challenge for French monarchs.

29 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “The Fronde.” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica​. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 5 February 2014. www.britannica.com/event/The-Fronde.

30 Fronde of the Parliament- 1648. ​Le Président Molé, saisi par les factieux, au temps des guerres de la Fronde,​ 1779.

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Louis XIV Assumes Control

Economy

In 1661, when Cardinal Mazarin passed away, Louis XIV officially took control and began his rule in France. Under Louis XIV, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the

Comptroller-General (minister) of Finances, primarily presided over economic policy.

When Cardinal Mazarin had to take refuge during the Fronde, Colbert looked after

Mazarin’s personal business and kept him informed. Hence, when Mazarin regained control, he promoted Colbert by making him his personal assistant and helped him gain wealth. On his deathbed, Mazarin recommended Colbert to Louis XIV, after which

Colbert became Louis XIV’s Comptroller-General of Finances.

One of Colbert’s first endeavors was to identify irregularities in France’s tax accounts and enforcement, such as illegally avoidance of taxes or misuse of State funds.

While Colbert did seek to ensure greater enforcement of taxes, bourgeois generally sought exemption from taxes. This created an economic system that was in dire need of reform, as a very large tax burden still fell on the peasants. The peasants struggled financially and rarely had enough resources, often rendered unable to put food on the table. These despicable conditions left them malnourished and disgruntled.

Additionally, Colbert noticed that Nicholas Fouquet, the Superintendent of

Finances, was trying to become wealthy at the expense of the State. Colbert proved his

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suspicions to the King and quickly had him arrested, allowing for a clearer path for

Colbert to bring his larger economic vision to life.

Colbert strongly believed in the Mercantilist principle that favors a positive trade balance, or the idea that there should be significantly more exports than imports. He sought to increase France’s role in international trade, while simultaneously reducing the role of the Dutch and other European nations. Colbert bolstered manufacturing through a number of methods. Firstly, he established many new industries, especially focusing on high-quality products such as textiles and . In fact, Colbert reallocated funds from other parts of the economy and specifically granted privileges to private industries that produced these goods. Colbert was particularly interested in bolstering textile, tapestry, and iron production in France because other countries like

England and controlled them at the time. He encouraged foreign workers to come to France to bring their talent and knowledge of trade. While he welcomed foreign workers, however, Colbert placed many controls within France. In order to ensure products were competitive, strict regulations and standards were put in place to prevent counterfeiting and illicit practices. He also did not allow French workers to emigrate. Importantly, Colbert set up channels for trade, encouraging the building of impressive ships for the merchant navy.

However, not all of Colbert’s actions had a positive impact on the French economy. He tried establishing the French East and West India trading companies, but did not attract sufficient capital. As a result, the investment to create these trading companies became a financial burden. He also tried to protect national industries by

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placing tariffs on foreign goods, which only resulted in retaliatory tariffs and increased tensions with other nations.31

Religion

Louis XIV was very committed to Catholicism, having practiced it devoutly from a young age. This personal commitment to Catholicism most likely influenced his harsh religious policies. He felt very strongly that the existence of Protestantism diminished his own power because it is hard to control any state with multiple churches. In turn, he sought to centralize his power by persecuting Protestants.

Louis slowly began to exclude Protestants from offices, banned outdoor preaching, and implemented other restrictions. This quickly escalated into more widespread persecution when, in 1681, Louis demanded that all Protestants convert to

Catholicism, and began to quarter troops in Protestant homes. These troops abused the

Protestants whose homes they were in, and the cost of taking care of the troops was not affordable for them. Protestant churches were being removed and Protestant children were even being taken away from their parents so they could be raised as Catholics.32

His sudden shift to aggressive action was partially fueled by his belief that most

Protestants had already converted back to “the true faith.” Overall, while these actions

31 Tapié, Victor-Lucien. “Jean-Baptiste Colbert.” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 August 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Baptiste-Colbert.

32 McLean, John. “Western Civilization.” ​Louis XIV and the Huguenots | Western Civilization​. courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/louis-xiv-and-the-huguenots/.

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helped Louis XIV centralize his power, it built up anger in Protestants as they slowly reached their tipping point.

Another religious group that Louis XIV actively persecuted was the Jansenists, a group that borrowed some Catholic principles and some Calvinist principles. Jansenists believed in the idea of predestination, which the Catholic church did not agree with. As such, Louis XIV declared that the Jansenists’ beliefs were heretical and had convents destroyed. In 1713, per Louis’ request, the issued Papal Bull ‘Unigenitus,’ condemning Jansenist beliefs.

However, it is important to note that while Louis XIV was not tolerant of

Protestants or Jansenists, he also took care to maintain control over the Catholic

Church. He felt that he was in control of the Church, and that the Church had to adhere to his rules. This created conflicts between Louis XIV and the Pope. Because Louis XIV had appointed nobles in high positions for church appointments, they depended on him and took his side against the Pope.

Foreign Policy

War of Devolution

In 1665, Louis XIV wanted to go to war with Spain to claim the Spanish territory. He believed that he was entitled to the territory because his wife, Maria

Theresa, was the daughter of recently deceased Spanish king Philip IV and should

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inherit the territory from her father. However, explicitly renounced all rights to her father's in the previously mentioned Treaty of Pyrenees. This resulted in the War of Devolution, which lasted from 1667 to 1668. In the beginning of the conflict, France made many conquests and the French forces overran the Spanish

Netherlands and the Franche-Comte. However, in an effort to prevent France from gaining more power, the , England, and Sweden formed the Triple

Alliance. They forced France to give back most of its conquests by threatening that if

France did not comply, they would ally with Spain in the war. France, however, still retained some territories including , Courtrai, and . As a result of the war, French foreign policy became extremely anti-Dutch in the coming years, as Louis

XIV saw the Dutch as responsible for ending the chain of French conquests.33

33 McLean, Assistant Professor John. “Western Civilization.” ​Louis XIV's Wars | Western Civilization,​ courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/louis-xivs-wars/.

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Franco-Dutch War

The Franco-Dutch War, which began in 1672, is known as the first of Louis XIV’s great wars. Louis XIV perceived the Dutch as a major trading rival and wanted to extend the

French empire. Thus, he allied with several German states, Charles II of England

(through the Treaty of Dover), and Charles XI of Sweden.34 In May 1672, Louis XIV once again made a move on the . After 6 years of fighting, parties sat down to establish an agreement in 1678. France, the Dutch Republic, ,

Holy Roman Empire, and the Prince-Bishopric of Münster signed the Treaties of

Nijmegen. These treaties certified that the Franche-Comté and the Spanish Netherlands belonged to France. In the bigger picture, this war resulted in France becoming

34 “Dutch Wars: War of 1672–78.” Infoplease. www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/modern-europe/wars-battles/dutch-wars/war-of-1672%E2%80% 9378.

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Europe’s strongest power, which placed a target on its back and left other European nations wary of French power in the years to come. Louis XIV was forced to realize that there was an impending threat that these resentful nations would actively try to undermine France.35

Internal Politics

Louis XIV’s reign was ridden with scandals, deceit, and corruption from the beginning till the end. One of the most prominent of these incidents, often considered one of the most famous criminal cases in France, is known as the Affair of the

Poisons. In 1678, the Parisian were alerted to a possible conspiracy to poison the king, and their investigation found a criminal undercover operation. There was a large community of fortune tellers and magicians amongst others who sold poisons to many prominent figures including nobles and . While they purchased these poisons for a variety of reasons they were most often to achieve political ambitions and triumph over rivals. In 1679, Louis appointed a commission to investigate suspects. The commission

35 Franco-Dutch War. L​ ouis XIV Crossing into the Netherlands at Lobith,​ 1690.

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went on to investigate over 400 people, exiling some and even sentencing some to death.

36

Scandals also filled Louis XIV’s personal life, as he had many affairs and mistresses. Many women sought to be Louis’ mistress, as the mistress and her family accrued many social and political benefits. Many of Louis’ mistresses secretly played an important role in the court and palace life in general, as they were privy to the political goings-on.37 Even while Louis XIV was married to Maria Theresa, Louise de la Vallière won him over and became his official mistress.38 After some time, Marquise de

Montespan ousted Mademoiselle de la Vallière and became the next official mistress, or lover of the King, bearing seven children with him.39 40

Finally, Louis XIV fostered competition even within his court. He did so, in part, by expecting the to stick by his side all the time and follow certain rules to win him over. He then rewarded the ones who won him over with luxuries and invitations to large events. Nobles were expected to follow very strict rules related to body language, governing, and even when or where to sit down. For example, nobles were not allowed

36 “Scandal, Conspiracy and the : inside the Court of Louis XIV.” H​ istoryExtra,​ 1 February 2018. www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/scandal-conspiracy-and-the-affair-of-the-poisons-inside-the-court-of -louis-xiv/.

37 “Madame De .” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 15 May 2020. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/madame-maintenon.

38 “Louise De La Vallière.” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 19 August 2019. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/louise-valliere.

39 “Madame De Montespan.” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 19 August 2019. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/madame-montespan.

40 Madame de Montespan- mistress of Louis XIV. P​ ortrait of ​Madame de Montespan,​ c​ irca 1651-1675.

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to sit on a chair with arms if the King or Queen was in the room.41 Nobles were very vigilant and quick to seize upon ​any o​ pportunity to impress the king including displaying their talents, beauty, or intelligence.42

Arts

Construction of the Palace of Versailles

While the hunting lodge at Versailles had been constructed much earlier, Louis XIV was fond of the place from a very young age, and wanted to transform it into a bigger chateau. At first, Louis just transformed it into a luxurious residence where parties and gatherings could be held.43 However, Louis had grander visions for the place, as he called on famous architect Jules Mansart to design a palace that reflected Louis’ greatness and could hold the Court. The grand palace possessed many impressive attributes but perhaps the most eye-catching was the Hall of , which lay between the Queen and King’s Apartments. The hall contained many beautiful mirrors, ornamental moulding, and gilded trophies, all a testament to France’s power and

41 “The Palace of Versailles: Sun King Louis XIV's Ultimate Power Play.” H​ istoryExtra​, www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/palace-versailles-facts-history-court-sun-king-louis-xiv-france/.

42 “Courtiers.” P​ alace of Versailles​, 23 August 2018. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/key-dates/courtiers.

43 “History.” P​ alace of Versailles,​ 11 July 2018. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history.

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ambitions.44 Some areas of the palace are even adorned with paintings of Louis XIV’s successes and silver furnishings, all highlighting Louis XIV’s magnificence.

Additionally, Louis’ love for outdoor spaces is reflected in the many , filled with ornate .45 In 1682, Louis XIV moved his court to the magnificent Versailles.

With the opulence of Versailles came a hefty cost. Taxes were inevitably increased, which increased the peasants’ resentment, as the burden fell on their shoulders and set the stage for potential rebellion.

44 “Palace of Versailles, France (C.1624-98).” P​ alace of Versailles: History, , Interior Design​, www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/versailles-palace.htm.

45 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Palace of Versailles.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 March 2020. www.britannica.com/topic/Palace-of-Versailles.

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Current Situation

The year is 1682. Louis XIV has made the bold choice to move his court to the grand

Palace of Versailles, where each of you will reside. It has now been over 20 years since

Louis XIV took complete control of the throne. In this time, France has already gained key territories through multiple wars, started bolstering manufacturing, and taken great strides in expanding trade.

We are now at a turning point, however. Despite our successes in recent years, we are now faced with a number of emerging challenges. Disgruntled peasants appear to be on the verge of rebelling, threatening the order Louis XIV has worked so hard to build. As the King tours France, he has been seeing increasing numbers of starving peasants, begging on the roadside. He has been concerned, hearing of the peasants gathering in groups, whispering about how upset they are with the current regime.

Neighboring countries are enraged at the power we have gained in recent years, as reflected in their suspicious behaviors. Our merchants have noticed that higher level officials from Spain have been visiting the Dutch, and Charles II of England has been reducing the amount of goods he imports from France. These previously unseen behaviors reflect the risk of retaliation looming above us. Not to mention, each of our aforementioned successes, including the building of the beautiful Palace of Versailles, came with a hefty cost, causing our debt to rise astronomically.

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The onus is on each of you, as members of Louis XIV’s court and trusted advisors to him, to successfully centralize power and strengthen the monarchy, marking Louis

XIV’s reign as a success.

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Questions to Consider

1. How should the court respond to the increasing resentment of the

peasants?

Louis XIV has already undertaken a number of big endeavors in his reign,

including the expensive construction of the Palace of Versailles, multiple costly

wars such as the Franco-Dutch war, and the funding of industries within France.

The cumulative cost of these actions is exorbitant. Unfortunately, due to nobles

seeking tax exemptions, the peasants, who hardly had enough money for basic

necessities, were forced to carry this economic burden. Over the recent years it

has become more and more evident that this is not a sustainable living situation

for peasants. The likelihood that they will rise up against the monarchy increases

day by day. What will you do to address this situation while paying off the deep

deficit France faces right now?

2. What will this court do to handle the looming threat of conflict from

many countries including Spain, the Dutch Republic, and England?

Tensions between France and neighboring countries have been increasing for

many years. In the War of Devolution, we began to see other countries becoming

highly wary of France’s growing power, even forming alliances against France.

We have made significant territorial gains in recent conflicts, allowing us to

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expand our great nation and its prosperity. However, these gains have also clearly

caused our neighbors to turn against us. What should we do next? How should

we ensure we maintain our strong presence while keeping our neighbors off our

heels? What can we do to ease tensions that have been brewing?

3. Will the court choose to further revoke Protestant religious rights? If so,

how?

With our leader Louis XIV choosing to enforce harsh policies to silence

Protestants, their anger has only been increasing day by day. Particularly with

troops being quartered in their homes, Protestants are feeling increasingly

constrained. Above all, our king is trying to maintain order and ensure he has

complete control over France. However, as the threat of Protestant rebellion

increases and their condition worsens, we must ask ourselves what is the correct

approach to ensure power is centralized?

4. How will you, as a member of Louis XIV’s court, further your own

success and draw attention to yourself?

While seeking to further national endeavors and quell internal unrest, you should

not forget that you are the member of a prestigious court with fellow courtiers

who desire power. Tread carefully and think before you take any action, as the

people around you and the King are watching closely. Keeping in mind that

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people go to great lengths to please the King, you too, should seek to further

yourself and rise in standing, however you can.

5. How will this court go about bringing long term economic prosperity to

France?

Former , John Baptiste Colbert, made great strides towards

fostering economic growth; he helped boost manufacturing and increase exports.

However, since his passing, there has been a lack of focus on building an

economy that will be prosperous in the long term. How will you ensure that

Louis XIV’s name will go down in history, as the King who influenced the

economic state of France for years to come?

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Take a Tour of Versailles!

First, let’s take a look at the map of the first floor of the palace. Note that the Queen’s Private Suite, King’s Suite, and are central to this design. 46

The estate of Versailles, however, is significantly larger than just the interior shown in the above map. The estate consists of beautiful gardens, parks, and canals.47

46 “Palace of Versailles Map.” ​Palace of Versailles Map PDF - FREE Printable Maps of Palace of Versailles Interior, Hall of Mirrors, ,​ www.tripindicator.com/palace-of-versaillies-map.html.

47 “Palace of Versailles ( De Versailles).” L​ ucky 2B Here​, 20 August 2013. dessylovetravelling.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/palace-of-versailles-chateau-de-versailles/.

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Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the key areas of the palace and the estate.

Hall of Mirrors48

Throne Room49

Gardens of Versailles50

48 “Hall of Mirrors.” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica,​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Hall-of-Mirrors.

49 “Throne Room Palace of Versailles: Versailles on Pinterest: Palace Of Versailles: Palace of Versailles, Versailles, Throne Room.” P​ interest,​ 13 August 2020. www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/794815034209902690/.

50 ​Versailles,Palace,Garden,Tourism,Free Pictures - Free Image from Needpix.com,​ www.needpix.com/photo/311665/versailles-palace-garden.

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Character List

Louis, Grand Dauphin

Louis, Grand Dauphin is the eldest son of King Louis XIV and Maria Theresa. As the eldest son, he has been named dauphin, or to the throne. Due to his kindness and generosity, he was well-liked amongst the . He played an important political and military role, as a part of the Conseil des Dépêches and the

Conseil des Finances. The Conseil des Dépêches deals with administrative reports sent by the officials of different provinces in France. The Conseil des Finances handles the royal budget, commerce, and taxation and resolves financial and taxation disputes.51

Alexandre Bontemps

Alexandre Bontemps is the son of Jean-Baptiste Bontemps, the first surgeon to Louis

XIII. Alexandre rose to become the trusted of Louis XIV. This is a highly coveted position, as he is constantly by the King’s side, taking care of the King’s household and ensuring his security all day. His humility and diligence earned him Louis XIV’s unwavering trust, rendering him privy to some of the innermost secrets of Louis XIV’s personal life and goings-on of the palace. Louis XIV placed great value in Alexandre

Bontemps’ advice and opinions on all matters.52

51 “The Grand Dauphin.” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 21 January 2020. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/grand-dauphin.

52 Vinha, Mathieu da. “Alexandre Bontemps, " Favori " De Louis XIV ?” B​ ulletin Du Centre De Recherche Du Château De Versailles. Sociétés De Cour En Europe, XVIe-XIXe Siècle - European Court Societies, 16th to

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François-, marquis de Louvois

Marquis de Louvoisis the French Secretary of State for War under Louis XIV and is seen as one of the most influential ministers to Louis. Louvois’ father is Michel Le Tellier, the secretary of state of war under Cardinal Jules Mazarin. In the War of Devolution,

Louvois proved that he is an unquestionably skilled military leader with the previously unseen intention to reform the .53

Marquise de Maintenon

Marquise de Maintenon first made her appearance in Louis XIV’s court as the governess to the King’s illegitimate children. While Louis XIV did not initially like her, he eventually took to her and granted her money to purchase the estate of his current mistress, Marquise de Montespan. After Marquise de Montespan got involved in disgraceful scandals, Marquise de Maintenon married him in secret and gained the title of being his official mistress. Given that Louis XIV constantly visited her and spent a great deal of quiet time with her, she had great influence over him.54

19th Centuries,​ Centre De Recherche Du Château De Versailles, 3 April 2018. journals.openedition.org/crcv/14819.

53 Baxter, Douglas C. “François-Michel Le Tellier, Marquis De Louvois.” E​ ncyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 July 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Francois-Michel-Le-Tellier-marquis-de-Louvois.

54 “Madame De Maintenon.” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 15 May 2020. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/madame-maintenon.

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Louis de Rouvroy, Duc de Saint-Simon

Duc de Saint-Simon was born and baptized in Versailles, with his godfather being Louis

XIV. While he was originally expected to pursue a career in the army, he decided to remain at the court as the first historian to document the courtly life. His works are particularly well-written and detailed, as he was intimately acquainted with many nobles, ministers, and individuals in high positions at the court such as Pontchartrain.55

Louis II Phélypeaux, comte de Pontchartrain

Louis II Phélypeaux, comte de Pontchartrain serves as Comptroller General of Finances and Secretary of State for the Navy and the Royal Household, both very powerful positions. As the Comptroller General of Finances, Pontchartrain has control over state expenditures, taxation, trade, manufacturing, and public infrastructure. His position as

Secretary of State for the Navy granted him the power to manage the French navy, both in relation to overseas trade and to military pursuits.56

Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet acted as court preacher to Louis XIV, and was widely known for his masterfully written and eloquent sermons. He strongly advocated for the divine

55 “Saint-Simon.” P​ alace of Versailles​, 28 March 2019. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/saint-simon.

56 S​ ara E. Chapman, P​ rivate Ambition and Political Alliances the Phélypeaux de Pontchartrain Family and Louis XIV's Government, 1650-1715. ​ Rochester N.Y. : University of Rochester Press, 2004.

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right of , or the idea that the King derives his authority directly from God. This ideal resonated strongly with Louis XIV and earned him the King’s favor.57

François-Henri de Montmorency-Bouteville, duke de

The Duke of Luxembourg is widely seen as one of the greatest military leaders in

France. When Louis XIV invaded the United Provinces of the Netherlands in June 1672,

Luxembourg executed a masterful retreat against William the ’s highly skilled forces. However, despite his skill Luxembourg became wrapped up in many scandals including the Affair of Poisons. Louis XIV decided to pardon him, however, and instated him as the captain of the King’s guards.58

Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of Condé

Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of Condé is one of Louis XIV’s most powerful generals, particularly because of his leadership in the Thirty Years War, War of Devolution, and

Franco-Dutch War. In particular, during the War of Devolution he worked with

Marquis de Louvois to seize the key territory of Franche-Comte. He is known for his

57 Truchet, Jacques. “Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica,​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 8 April 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/Jacques-Benigne-Bossuet.

58 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “François-Henri De Montmorency-Bouteville, Duke De Luxembourg.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica,​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 January 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Francois-Henri-de-Montmorency-Bouteville-duc-de-Luxembourg.

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quick wit and hunger for success in war, leading him to be known as one of the greatest military commanders in history.59

Marquis de Seignelay

Jean Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay is the son of great French statesman Jean

Baptiste Colbert. Due to his father being so prominent, Seignelay was privy to extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the Navy and what needed to be done to improve it.

As Secretary of State for the Navy, Seignelay continues his father’s legacy and is particularly focused on expanding the Navy.60

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Jean-Baptiste Lully is a French instrumentalist who served as court composer for Louis

XIV. Louis XIV first discovered him in 1653, when he danced with Lully in the B​ allet royal de la nuit​. Impressed by his vocal and instrumental music, Louis XIV appointed him as superintendent of the royal music and music master of the royal family. Music and the arts are of particular importance to Louis XIV, as he, himself, is a dancer and appreciates music immensely.61

59 Mongrédien, Georges. “Louis II De Bourbon, 4e Prince De Condé.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 7 December 2019. www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-II-de-Bourbon-4e-prince-de-Conde.

60 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis De Seignelay.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica.​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 30 October 2019. www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Baptiste-Colbert-marquis-de-Seignelay.

61 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Jean-Baptiste Lully.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica,​ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 18 March 2020. www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Baptiste-Lully.

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Jacques-Nicolas Colbert

Jacques-Nicolas Colbert is the youngest son of Jean-Baptiste Colbert and the

Archbishop of the Church of Carthage. From a young age, he was prepared for a career in the Church, as he was tutored by famous theologian Noël Alexandre. Jacques-Nicolas

Colbert is also a highly regarded academic, as he is one of the first members of the

Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, a French learned society that studied humanities extensively.62

Joseph Nicolas Foucault

Joseph Nicolas Foucault is the son of Joseph Foucault, clerk of the Chamber of Justice.

He was a devout administrative assistant to Jean-Baptiste Colbert, and was rewarded in

1669 with the position of Secretary of the Council of State Direction and Finances. He is known for being even-tempered and thorough in his work, focusing on helping the people by having schools and hospitals built.63

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban is a prominent French military engineer who is considered to be one of the greatest engineers in Western military history. He carefully

62 “Jacques Nicolas Colbert.” ​Collections Online | British Museum,​ www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG144323.

63 N​ icolas-Joseph Foucault, Mémoires de Nicolas-Joseph Foucault, éd. ​Frédéric Baudry,​ , Imprimerie impériale, 1862.

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designed many of France’s ports, making them useful both for the military and for civilians. He founded the Corps royal des ingénieurs militaires, which taught some of the most brilliant techniques of engineering design and strategy.64

André Le Nôtre

André Le Nôtre is a prominent and wealthy architect and gardener for Louis

XIV, acting as a principal designer for the and setting the bar for the design of French gardens for the time period. He was appointed as

Controller-General of the Royal Buildings and acted as a trusted advisor to Louis XIV, bringing Louis XIV’s ideas for the Palace to life.65

Philip d’Amboise

Philip d’Amboise is the Intendant of Finances under Louis XIV. As an intendant of finances Amboise works side by side with other financial officials like Pontchartrain, to handle state expenditures, taxation, trade, manufacturing, and public infrastructure. As an intendant, Amboise attends nearly all of the King’s councils, making him privy to information about fellow courtiers and the condition of nearly all the provinces in

France.

64 “Sébastien Le Prestre, Marquis De Vauban.” ​Palace of Versailles,​ 27 September 2018. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/sebastien-prestre-marquis-vauban.

65 Allegrain, 1695 — Etienne, and vers 1690 (XVIIe siècle) — Martin l'Aîné. “André Le Nôtre.” P​ alace of Versailles,​ 21 January 2020. en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/andre-notre.

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Alexandre Verville

Alexandre Verville is a Secretary of Trade under Louis XIV. As Secretary of Trade

Verville works side by side with other financial officials such as d’Amboise and

Pontchartrain to form France’s approach to trade, including where to focus on expanding to and outlining specific methods to increase exports from France.

Beauchamp also must remain vigilant of neighboring nations’ trade behaviors to understand their feelings towards France and to be alert of the amount of power they have.

Jean Veilleux

Jean Veilleux is a tax collector under Louis XIV, specifically focused on ensuring fair and proper collection of taxes. Specifically, Vielleux is always alert for potential rebellion or tax evasion and is responsible for scouring the financial records of France to discover potential loopholes. At its core, his position exists to ensure power remains centralized in the hands of Louis XIV.

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