5.5.1 Regents and Monarchs+5.5.2

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5.5.1 Regents and Monarchs

Since the start of the Middle Ages West-European countries have used the feudal system

But in other West-European countries, like France and England, the monarchs power just keeps on growing.

Both countries use centralisation and both Monarchs try to gain absolutist power

5.5.2 Louis XIV and his hunger for power

Louis inherited the French throne when he was only four years old.

Louis XIV (1643 - 1715)

Louis adopted the sun symbol to show that he was God's representative on earth and that he, like the sun, was the center of the universe

the king is holy

His most famous quote

Louis XIV spent 40 years and used over 35,000 workers to build the sickest palace of all time 13 miles away from Paris in Versailles

The palace had over 700 rooms (and 1 toilet)

Louis was actually a small guy (1,62 m)

But with an enormous wig and high heels he appeared to be 2,13 m

Louis promoted red-heeled shoes as the ultimate status symbol. 

For the next century, Louis’s red shoes remained a necessary finishing touch to any noble ensemble.

Big Ego, Big Style. Now simply known as "Style Louis XIV"

The king owned over 1,000 wigs and 413 beds!

Besides his wife, he had 3 mistresses

at least 13 illegitimate children

and countless other lovers

Royal intolerance

The Catholic Sun King decided that his own faith should be the only faith. 

Louis spent 50 years of his reign fighting wars of agression

In 1672 he invaded the Netherlands 

Louis XIV

• He became king at the age of four.
• 
  
• He built the extravagant palace of Versailles
• He is known as the Sun King. His best known quote: "The state, that's me!"
• he took away the right of worship from French Protestants

King Louis XIV

• No power to nobles
  
• Large tight and organised army
  
• No rights for Protestants (Huguenots).
  
• Construction of the Palace of Versailles (the nobility had to live there so he could keep a close eye on them!).

L'État, c'est Moi

The will of the king is law. This is called absolutism. 

Louis XIV was a French king with asolute power. 

This power was given by god: droit divin (divine law)

Thus, no one need doubt the king either

Handig, als God dit bepaald heeft, dat is het zo!

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Dutch Republic

Dutch Republic

Governance is decentralised with great freedom for the Provincial States

Regents and nobility form the administration. There is consultation, but no democracy. 

The States General only deal with defence and foreign policy. They also govern generality countries (territories conquered after 1588).

Why special?

Why special?

It is virtually the only Republic.

Regents hold power, the nobility is small. 

There is no clear head of state. 

There is decentralised governance in a time of absolutism. 

The country has great global influence.

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