Life of Luxury: Louis XIV The Sun King

Goal of Today The goal of today will be to look at what the country of France was like during the reign of Louis XIV and to think about some of the factors that may have led the country to revolution during the reign of Louis XVI. Terms to know Absolute monarch Divine right of kings

THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE 17 TH CENTURY FRANCE  Pinnacle of power, wealth, prestige  Overseas exploration & expansion  Cultural & intellectual leader

Became king in 1643 at the age of 5. In 1661 he announced at the age of 21 that he would govern on his own Young Louis XIV

I am the state “L’ etat, c’est moil!”

Louis XIV of France ranks as one of the most remarkable monarchs in history. He reigned for 72 years, 54 of them he personally controlled French government. The 17th century was labeled as the age of Louis XIV. Since then his rule has been hailed as the supreme example of a type of government- absolutism. He epitomized the ideal of kingship. What is absolute monarchy? Why do you think Louis ruled in such a way? –Divine Right of Kings?

Louis XIV as Apollo Why is he being depicted as Apollo?

Divine Right of Kings

Government under the Old Regime: The Divine Right of Kings Monarch ruled by divine right –God put the world in motion –God put some people in positions of power –Power is given by God –No one can question God –No one can question someone put in power by God –Questioning the monarchy was blasphemy because it meant questioning God

What the King Did Appointed the Intendants, the “petty tyrants” who governed France’s 30 districts Appointed the people who would collect his taxes and carry out his laws Controlled justice by appointing judges Controlled the military Could imprison anyone at any time for any reason (blank warrants of arrest were called lettres de cachet) Levied all taxes and decided how to spend the money Made all laws Made decisions regarding war and peace

Louis XIV adopted the symbol of the sun as his personal emblem. The rays symbolized the extent of his power and influence. He saw himself as the center of French life and culture. He gave himself the nickname ‘Sun King,’ because he saw himself as the source of all light in the nation

The King’s Crib

f 2,000 acres of grounds f 12 miles of roads f 27 miles of trellises f 200,000 trees f 210,000 flowers planted every year f 80 miles of rows of trees f 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal f 12 miles of enclosing walls f 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles f 21 miles of water conduits f 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed f 26 acres of roof f 51,210 square meters of floors f 2,153 windows f 700 rooms f 67 staircases f 6,000 paintings f 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings f 2,100 sculptures f 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art f 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden Versailles Statistics

Versailles Today

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Hall of Mirrors

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Venus Room ceiling

Venus Room

Louis XIV Furniture

Louis XIV’s Carriage

Louis Liked War Louis XIV had a huge army He needed a huge army because he had ambitions of expanding his territory. France fought 4 major wars between 1667 and After the 3rd war the treasury was empty.

Wrap Up Do you think spending all of this money on wars and a palace would have long term implications on France?

King’s Bedroom

Levee

Council Room

King in Council

Louis XV’s dining room

Louis’ sister-in-law wrote this about his dining: “I have often seen the King eat four plates of soup Of different kinds, a whole pheasant, a partridge, A large plate of salad, two thick slices of ham, a Dish of mutton in a garlic-flavored sauce, a plateful Of pastries and then fruit and hard-boiled eggs. Both The King and Monsieur are exceedingly fond of Hardboiled eggs.

Chapel

King hunting