Louis XIV ruled France for more than half a century and is typically remembered for his absolutism, his patronage of the arts and his lavish lifestyle – culminating in the building of Versailles. This original and lively biography focuses on Louis’s personal life while keeping the needs of the history student at the forefront, featuring analysis of Louis’s wider significance in history and the surrounding historiography. This book balances the undeniable cultural achievements of the reign against the realities of Louis’s egotism and argues that, when viewed critically, Louis’s rule (1643–1715) personified the disadvantages of absolute monarchy, and inexorably led to social and political blunders, resulting in the suffering of millions. Richard Wilkinson demonstrates that while Louis excelled as a self-publicist, he fell far short of being a great monarch.
This second edition includes an up-to-date and accessible biography, further sections on the women at Louis’s court, France in an international context and new material looking at Louis’s involvement in ballet. This book is essential reading for all history students and those with a general interest in one of history’s most colourful rulers.
By:
Richard Wilkinson
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions:
Height: 198mm,
Width: 129mm,
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781138945463
ISBN 10: 1138945463
Series: Routledge Historical Biographies
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 10 August 2017
Audience:
College/higher education
,
A / AS level
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of Figures Acknowledgements Chronology 1 Introduction 2 The rising sun, 1638–61 3 The king and his subjects 4 The king at work 5 Culture with a purpose 6 Relations and friends 7 The world at his feet: foreign policy, 1661–84 8 Louis XIV and religion 9 Nemesis: foreign policy, 1684–1715 10 The Sun King and his people, 1684–1715 11 Conclusion Glossary FURTHER READING Index
Richard Wilkinson studied at Cambridge and gained his doctorate at Hull. He was headmaster of Scarborough College and King Edward’s School, Witley. Now retired, he teaches history at Marlborough College summer school. His previous publications include France and Europe 1661–1715 (2002) and Years of Turmoil (1999).
