When was louis xiv king of france

In the War of the Spanish Succession, for the first time in nearly a century France consistently lost battles, most notably at Blenheim in and Ramillies in As his eldest son and grandson had died before him, his great-grandson succeeded him as Louis XV. Search term:. Read more. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience.

Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving. A hard-working and meticulous ruler who oversaw his programs down to the last detail, Louis XIV nevertheless appreciated art, literature, music, theater and sports. Most famously, he transformed a royal hunting lodge in Versailles, a village 25 miles southwest of the capital, into one of the largest palaces in the world, officially moving his court and government there in It was against this awe-inspiring backdrop that Louis tamed the nobility and impressed foreign dignitaries, using entertainment, ceremony and a highly codified system of etiquette to assert his supremacy.

Under pressure from the English, Swedish and especially the Dutch, France retreated and returned the region to Spain, gaining only some frontier towns in Flanders.

The ensuing war, fought on both hemispheres, lasted from to ; France emerged with most of its territory intact but its resources severely strained. The long conflict plunged a famine-ridden France into massive debt, turning public opinion against the crown.

In , the devoutly Catholic king revoked the Edict of Nantes, issued by his grandfather Henry IV in , which had granted freedom of worship and other rights to French Protestants, known as Huguenots.

With the Edict of Fontainebleau, Louis ordered the destruction of Protestant churches, the closure of Protestant schools and the expulsion of Protestant clergy. Protestants would be barred from assembling and their marriages would be deemed invalid. Baptism and education in the Catholic faith would be required of all children. Roughly 1 million Huguenots lived in France at the time, and many were artisans or other types of skilled workers.

Although emigration of Protestants was explicitly forbidden by the Edict of Fontainebleau, scores of people—estimates range from , to ,—fled in the decades that followed, settling in England, Switzerland, Germany and the American colonies, among other places. His reign had lasted 72 years, longer than that of any other known European monarch, and left an indelible mark on the culture, history and destiny of France.

His 5-year-old great-grandson succeeded him as Louis XV. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! During these difficult times, the Palace needs your support more than ever. Discover more on this Foundation. Discover the history of the Palace of Versailles and its characters in this illustrated video for young and old alike! Take part in the history of the palace of Versailles by supporting a project that suits you: adopt a linden tree, contribute to the missions of the Palace or participate in the refurnishing of the royal apartments.

The app includes the audioguide tour of the Palace and an interactive map of the Estate. It can be used without an Internet connection. Website of the exhibition The King is dead An exhibition on the death and funeral of the Sun King, years after his death Discover.

Anecdote The same day the king received his five-year-old great-grandson, the future Louis XV , to give him advice. Reign of Louis XIV. Video Once upon a time Versailles Discover the history of the Palace of Versailles and its characters in this illustrated video for young and old alike! All the news. Make an online donation Take part in the history of the palace of Versailles by supporting a project that suits you: adopt a linden tree, contribute to the missions of the Palace or participate in the refurnishing of the royal apartments.

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