A Powerful King

Louis XIV became king of France in 1643, when he was just five years old. He ruled for over 70 years—the longest reign of any monarch in French history. As an adult, he took full control of the government and made it clear that he believed in absolutism, a system where the king held all power.

Louis was known as the “Sun King” because he saw himself as the center of France, just as the sun is the center of the universe. He famously said, “I am the state,” meaning that all government decisions came from him alone.

The Divine Right of Kings

Louis XIV believed in the divine right of kings—the idea that his authority to rule came directly from God. He claimed that he alone was chosen by God to lead France, and that disobeying him was not just a political act, but a sin against divine order.

But Louis didn’t just believe this—he made sure everyone else believed it too. He used art, ceremony, and court life to reinforce his power. At court, everything revolved around the king. Nobles competed for the honor of serving him, even doing small tasks like handing him his shoes. This constant attention reminded everyone that all power flowed from the king.

He also limited the influence of parliaments and personally oversaw laws and policies. By controlling who advised him and who held important positions, Louis made sure no one could challenge his authority. Religion, military decisions, and the economy were all under his direct command.

Through these actions, Louis turned the belief in divine right into a daily reality—making himself not just a ruler, but the symbolic and actual center of French political life.

The Palace of Versailles

To show off his power and wealth, Louis built the massive Palace of Versailles outside of Paris. It became the center of political life in France. The palace had over 2,000 rooms, beautiful gardens, and expensive decorations. It was a symbol of Louis’s total control and absolute rule.

Louis required nobles to live at Versailles, where he could keep an eye on them. This reduced their power in the countryside and made them depend on the king for status and favor. Versailles wasn’t just a home—it was a political tool that helped Louis keep power to himself.

The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

Another way Louis showed his absolutist beliefs was through his control of religion. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes had given Huguenots (French Protestants) the right to practice their religion. But in 1685, Louis revoked this law, ending religious freedom for Protestants in France.

As a result, many Huguenots fled the country, and those who stayed were forced to convert to Catholicism or face punishment. Louis believed that having one religion would make France stronger, but the decision hurt the economy and increased tension.

Louis XIV’s Legacy

Louis XIV made France one of the most powerful countries in Europe. He expanded its borders, built a strong military, and increased the king’s authority. But his long reign also caused problems—his wars were expensive, and his harsh policies created hardship for many people.

Still, Louis XIV became the model for absolute monarchy. His use of Versailles and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes showed how far a king could go to control a nation. Future monarchs across Europe followed his example, both in style and in the use of power.

Source: Louis XIV and the Power of France
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