Louis XIV: How did Louis XIV become the epitome of absolutism?

From a young age, Louis XIV had a fear of the nobility as the Fronde often spent time in his room in an attempt to keep him and his mother safe from the numerous outside threats. The freaks in his bedroom caused Louis XIV to resent these aristocratic men that encroached on his privacy as a young child and caused him everlasting humiliation.

Louis XIV is called the “Sun King” because of the grandeur of his court and cultural brilliance evident in every aspect of French culture. Louis’ long reign and unification of France under absolutist forms of rule contributed to his legendary status.

Receiving a practical education, Louis studied state papers and attended government meetings and courts in which Louis could learn foreign policy and receive authentic experience. Louis was raised with the belief that God had established earthly rulers in the form of kings. Because of the scarring experiences of his youth, with the weirdos in his home, Louis remained isolated, cautious and secret, all of which allowed his absolutist regime to become so successful.

Louis XIV is known for his “complete domestication of the nobility”, where he eliminated the pre-existing power threat of the aristocratic class of French society. In doing so, Louis XIC received complete control over the monarchy and governing of France. Louis did so through the peaceful means of cooperation between the nobility and the monarchy. An example of such cooperation is seen in the treatment of the province of Languedoc where Louis persuades the lords to support the construction of the Canal des Deux Mers or a canal that linked the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this, the provincial business added to national business. As a result of cooperation, Louis won the increase of military taxation. While Louis won increased military taxation from the Estates of Languedoc as he granted the nobility of France privileged social status and increased access to the king. The French government under Louis XIV was one that relied heavily on this historical social structure where the nobility had power.

Louis XIV used Versailles, the town in which he established his royal courts, as a power play, forcing all nobility to come live with him there in luxury for a set amount of time. Versailles was a property of grandeur, vastness and elegance with intricate detailing in ever part of the mansion. The Hall of Mirrors is the best-known historical room within Versailles. The King used the expected awe that came upon living in Versailles to distract the nobles and other visitors. In this way, Versailles can be considered a “reflection of French genius.”

Louis XIV weakened the nobles by using the court ceremonials in which, by excluding them, he weakened their ancient right to advise the king and to participate in government. Nobles became instruments of royal policy. Social events that flaunted the noble’s status took up their time and attention instead of governmental concerns. Through Louis’ actions, he reduced the persistent threat to the monarchy by separating power from status without the nobles noticing. In doing so, he achieved their cooperation and content.

Through his entire reign as King, he never called a meeting of the Estates General, therefore avoiding any connection or potential gain of power from the nobility. The relationship between Louis XIV and the nobles was one of a superficial basis. Without the influence of the nobility, Louis XIV had absolute power over France. Louis XIV had “ninety-nine problems but absolutism ain’t (wasn’t) one!”

The Pasta Eater:

The Pasta Eater by Luca Giordano was a painting that was exemplary of Louis the XIV’s rule. Louis the XIV was getting his power without he fork of the nobility. The pasta can be considered governmental power, so without the use of the nobility (the rich used forks) he devoured the pasta that made his rule grow to be of the absolutist nature that it is known for.

Thanks guys! 

Franny <3