Louis XIV / Richard Wilkinson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilkinson, Richard.

Series:

Routledge historical biographies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Louis XIV, King of France, 1638-1715.

Louis.

France--History--Louis XIV, 1643-1715.

France.

History.

France--Kings and rulers--Biography.

Kings and rulers.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

x, 255 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2007.

Summary:

Louis XIV ruled France for more than half a century and is typically remembered for his absolutism, his patronage of the arts and his lavish lifestyle - culminating in the building of Versailles. This original and lively biography focuses on Louis' personal life while keeping the needs of the history student at the forefront, featuring analysis of Louis' wider significance in history and the surrounding historiography. An analytical account of Louis' life, this study proposes that the Sun King's reign and legacy cannot be fully understood without a detailed investigation of Louis' private life and personality, including his upbringing and his many lovers. Louis' relations with his closest family set the tone for the treatment of his French subjects and for his foreign policy towards the rest of Europe.

This book balances the undeniable cultural achievements of the reign against the realities of Louis' egotism and argues that, when viewed critically, Louis' rule (1643-1715) personified the disadvantages of absolute monarchy and inexorably led to social and political blunders resulting in the suffering of millions. Richard Wilkinson demonstrates that while Louis excelled as a self-publicist, he fell far short of being a great monarch. This up-to-date and accessible biography is essential reading for all students and those with a general interest in one of history's most colourful rulers.

Contents:

2 The Rising Sun, 1638-61 10

3 The king and his subjects 34

4 The king at work 55

5 Culture with a purpose 82

6 Relations and friends 98

7 The world at his feet: foreign policy, 1661-84 122

8 Louis XIV and religion 143

9 Nemesis: foreign policy, 1684-1715 168

10 The Sun King and his people, 1684-1715 197.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [234]-249) and index.

ISBN:

9780415358156

0415358159

9780415358163

0415358167

OCLC:

74569326