A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 5

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

11955

Title

A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 5

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

François Guizot's fifth volume chronicles the turbulent reigns of Henry IV, Louis XIII, and Louis XIV, alongside Cardinal Richelieu and Mazarin. This narrative explores France's religious conflicts, military campaigns, administrative reforms, and cultural flourishing under absolute monarchy.

Summary up to 500 words

François Guizot's fifth volume of *A Popular History of France* chronicles a transformative era from 1589 to 1713, spanning the reigns of Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV, and the early years of Louis XV. The narrative begins with Henry IV's precarious accession as a Protestant king amidst intense Catholic opposition. Guizot details his pragmatic conversion to Catholicism to secure peace and his assassination in 1610, followed by the regency of Marie de' Medici. Under Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, the text examines the consolidation of royal authority, the suppression of Huguenot fortifications at La Rochelle, and France's emergence as a European hegemon through conflicts with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. The volume addresses the internal turmoil of the Fronde civil war and the subsequent regency of Anne of Austria under Cardinal Mazarin. The central focus shifts to Louis XIV, whose reign defined an age of absolute monarchy. Guizot analyzes his military campaigns, including victories against Sweden and England, as well as reverses like the defeat at Blenheim. Significant attention is given to the construction of Versailles and the administration of Colbert and Louvois. The text explores the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, leading to persecution and the rise of the Camisard rebellion in the south. A substantial portion of the volume is dedicated to the cultural zenith of Louis XIV's rule. Guizot profiles major literary figures such as Corneille, Racine, Molière, La Fontaine, and Boileau-Despréaux, highlighting their contributions to French drama and poetry. In the arts, he examines the evolution of painting under royal patronage, contrasting the classical styles of Le Poussin and Claude Lorrain with the courtly elegance of Charles Lebrun and the portraiture of Mignard. The narrative concludes with the decline of Louis XIV's health and influence, the death of his key ministers, and the early struggles of his successor, Louis XV, marking the end of an illustrious but exhausting age.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History