2. Ancien Régime France 1661-1789

4. Ancien Régime Monarchs Louis XIV ruled 1642-1715 –Marie Therese of Spain Louis XV ruled 1715-1774 –Marie of Poland Louis XVI ruled 1774-1792 (ex. 1793) –Marie Antoinette of Austria

5. Louis XIV

6. Louis XV

7. Louis XV and Marie

8. Madame du Pompadour

9. Madame du Berry

10. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

11. Society of Orders (or ‘Estates’) First Estate: Clergy: about 100,000 people –Parish priests –Monks and nuns –About 0.5% of population –Paid no taxes; gave ‘donation’ to monarchy

12. Second Estate: Nobility About 350,000 people; about 1.5% of population Two Groups: –Nobility of Sword: old, inherited titles –Nobility of Robe: newer, purchased titles Owned 25% of land Exempt from most taxes

13. Third Estate: Everyone Else 98% of population: Bourgeoisie: –merchants, bankers, professionals –some wealthier than most nobles Lesser Bourgeoisie (‘petit’): –small shopkeepers, artisans, craftsmen Urban poor: –junk dealers, washerwomen, water carriers, unemployed Peasants (farmers): –85% of population –about half owned some land

14. Bourgeois Family

15. Privilege, not Equality All had privileges, no one had ‘rights’ First & Second estates: –Exemption from most taxes –Legal privileges –Access to King Third Estate: depended on status –Poor: gleaning, berries on roadside, candle drippings in church

16. ‘Absolutism of Façade’ Vast, confusing Bureaucracy Parlements vs. Intendants: overlapping responsibilities Many offices sold to the highest bidder King isolated at Versailles, surrounded by sycophants and court intrigue Ministers served at pleasure of King King intervened at highest levels, but not to reconstruct the system

17. Finances Royal Finances Government spent more than revenues Borrowed heavily to meet expenses Sold offices/titles to raise cash No budget or public accounting until 1780s French Economy Richest in Europe but: Enormous tax burden on 3rd Estate

18. Versailles

20. King’s Bedroom

21. Queen’s Bedroom

22. Royal Chapel

23. Royal Opera

24. Marie Antoinette’s Hameau

27. Beaumarchais Pierre-Augustin Caron Born 1732, son of a master clock maker Only surviving son in a family of six Educated to follow his father’s profession 1753: Invents a new escapement for watches Invention presented by King’s official watchmaker as his own; Caron sues and wins

28. Career at Court 1754: Caron presented at court 1755: Meets Franquet, an officer at court 1756: Franquet dies, leaving office to Caron 1756: Caron marries Widow Franquet Caron adds name of a farm to his: Caron de Beaumarchais 1757: Wife dies unexpectedly; Caron embroiled in a lawsuit with her family

29. Career at Court 1757: Enters Business arrangement with a prominent banker (and husband to Madame de Pompadour) 1759: Teaches Music to Royal daughters 1761: Buys office of Secretary to the King for 55,000 livres; office confers nobility 1760s: Business prospers; he becomes wealthy

30. 1768: Marries again; wife dies a few years later leaving substantial annuity 1771: Business partner dies; heir sues for alleged debts 1770s: Beaumarchais in dispute with a duke over Mlle. Menard, an actress; both men imprisoned Various lawsuits and court actions Makes reputation as a writer and dramatist

31. Marriage of Figaro Sequel to 1775 Barber of Seville Written by 1778 but not performed until 1784 Gave private readings and performances at homes of nobility, even at court 1784 Debut was a smashing success