Louis XIV of France

Louis XIV of France ascended to the throne in 1643, when he was only five years old. He assumed full control of government affairs in his early twenties, centralizing power in the hands of the crown and building a modern state.Northern Virginia Community College: Louis XIV

The reign of Louis XIV was marked by one war after another, engaging most of the major European nations in battle. Even though French military endeavors were not always successful, and even though state coffers were sometimes exhausted, France during the reign of Louis XIV managed to achieve a strong position in Europe.Northern Virginia Community College: Louis XIV

French culture flourished under the reign of Louis XIV, and the king himself was a patron of the arts. Literary figures such as Molière, Jean Racine, Jean de La Fontaine, painters such as Charles Le Brun and composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully flourished during his monarchy. The influence of French culture and life-style was felt in all the European courts.Library of Congress: Rise and Fall of the Absolute Monarchy

Louis XIV successfully curbed the power of the domestic Catholic clergy and the influence of the Pope on the internal affairs of France. He also proclaimed Roman Catholicism as the only religion that could be publicly practiced in France.Catholic Encyclopedia: [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09371a.htm Louis XIV

• BoardGameGeek: Louis XIV Game

• Ralphmag: Memoirs of a Dwarf At the Sun King's Court Book Review

• Toondoo: Bad side of the rule of Louis XIV

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