ABSO - Of Kings and Men: Louis XIII. (Lesson)

Of Kings and Men: Louis XIII.

France.

In the 17th century, France was basically a bundle of territories held together by allegiance to a king. There was no national representative political institution being used. Instead, provincial meetings occurred in some regions and had control over local taxation.

  • 12 Parlements developed out of courts of law
  • They were composed of nobles who claimed to speak for their province
  • Served as the Supreme Court for their area
  • Registered and carried out royal laws

 There were 300 regional systems of law.

 

 

Louis XIII.

Louis XIII is 9 when he assumes the throne. Marie de Medici, his mother, served as regent.

The Estates-General met in 1614, but it would be the last meeting they would have for 175 years. At that meeting, the Estates-General fought amongst themselves, demonstrating that the monarchy should be the only source of power and be the one to unite France. Marie declared her son was fit to rule and the regency ended; Louis was 16.

Cardinal Richelieu served as Louis' chief advisor. He was a churchman who rose to the position of Cardinal due primarily to Marie's favor. He became the chief minister and took control of government for 18 years. He assumed the policy of assertion of royal authority.

 

Richelieu.

Did you know - Intendant system In 1633, the sale of offices was the source of 1/2 of the revenues of the state, yet they needed 3/4 of taxation revenue to pay the salary of those offices. These nobles became known as “nobles of the robe.”Managed the government well:

  • Acted as head and representative of the bureaucrats
  • Gave out symbolic jobs to traditional nobles (diplomats, soldiers, officials without responsibilities)
  • Took on the Huguenots in 1628 and captured La Rochelle (main city)
  • Abolished the guarantees found in the Edict of Nantes and ended Huguenot political independence
  • Sold offices, which became known as the Intendant system
  • Used the press and the arts as propaganda

 

 

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