How long did Louis XIV reign as King of France?
Louis XIV reigned for 72 years and 110 days, the longest reign of any sovereign monarch in history. He became King of France on the 14th of May 1643 and ruled until his death in 1715.
Questions about Louis XIV
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why was Louis XIV called the Sun King?
Louis XIV styled himself the Sun King, Le Roi Soleil, an image that portrayed him as supreme leader. A believer in the divine right of kings, he consolidated absolute monarchy in France from his court at the Palace of Versailles.
What did Louis XIV do to the Huguenots with the Edict of Fontainebleau?
On the 15th of October 1685 Louis XIV issued the Edict of Fontainebleau, revoking the 1598 Edict of Nantes and abolishing the rights of the Huguenot Protestant minority. He subjected them to the dragonnades, and about 200,000 skilled Huguenots fled France while between 300,000 and 400,000 converted.
Why did Louis XIV move the court to Versailles?
Louis XIV compelled many nobles to live at the Palace of Versailles to pacify the aristocracy and weaken the feudal nobility. By attaching them to his court through elaborate ritual, pensions, and entertainment, he kept them under his scrutiny and away from their regional power bases.
What wars did Louis XIV fight during his personal reign?
During his personal rule Louis XIV fought three major continental conflicts: the Franco-Dutch War, the Nine Years' War, and the War of the Spanish Succession. He also waged the shorter War of Devolution and War of the Reunions.
Why did the War of the Spanish Succession begin?
The War of the Spanish Succession began after Charles II of Spain died in 1700 and left his undivided empire to Louis XIV's grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, who became Philip V. Britain, the Dutch Republic, the Holy Roman Emperor, and the German states formed a Grand Alliance and declared war on France in 1702.
What did Louis XIV leave to his successor when he died?
When Louis XIV died in 1715 he left his great-grandson and successor, Louis XV, a powerful but war-weary kingdom in major debt after the War of the Spanish Succession that had raged since 1701.