Histoire de France 1724-1759 (Volume 18/19)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26859

Title

Histoire de France 1724-1759 (Volume 18/19)

Language

fr

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Jules Michelet offers a groundbreaking revision of French history from the Regency to Louis XV, piercing the 'state mysteries' of Versailles. Drawing on suppressed archives and the diaries of d'Argenson and de Luynes, this volume exposes the 'conspiracy of family' that dictated policy, revealing the tragic decline of the monarchy under the influence of the Queen, the Dauphin, and the Duke of Choiseul.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume 18 of his *Histoire de France*, Jules Michelet presents a scathing critique of the reign of Louis XV, arguing that the nation's decline was driven not by public policy but by a closed circle of family interests centered on the King's daughters, the Mesdames. Michelet asserts that Cardinal Fleury, manipulated by Jesuits and the Rohan family, failed to restore France, instead surrendering it to foreign powers like Austria and the House of Savoy. Utilizing the detailed chronology of the Marquis de Luynes, Michelet reconstructs the intimate and often scandalous life of the court, contrasting the public glory of the King with the private corruption of the 'Parc-aux-Cerfs.' The narrative covers the disastrous French retreats during the Seven Years' War and the King's eventual recovery from illness, which restored public joy but failed to save the nation from strategic blunders orchestrated by Vienna. The work culminates in the volatile relationship between the King and the Queen, highlighting the political maneuvering that led to the exile of the Dauphin's supporters and the Queen's death. Michelet illustrates how personal caprices, religious fanaticism, and the belief that the kingdom was merely a family patrimony drove the state to ruin, leaving France vulnerable to invasion and internal decay.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History