Louis the XIV

 Introducing the Sun King & Your Role in Court

Louis XIV had the longest reign in European history from 1643-1715. He began his reign at the age of four when his father passed. He was under the guidance of his minister Cardinal Richelieu and then his successor Mazarin.During the early years of Louie's reign the great nobles and judge of the parliament of Paris launched a major revolt, the Fronde of 1648-1653. The revolt occurred as a response to the centralizing policies of Cardinal Richelieu. The civil war caused Louis XIV to experience poverty, misfortune, fear, humiliation, cold and hunger. He would never forgive Paris, the nobles or the common people for the time period that shaped his character. Cardinal Mazarin was victorious in 1653 when he was able to suppress the Fronde and restore internal order.

On Mazarin's death in 1661, Louis astounded his court by becoming his own chief minister, thereby ending the long "reign of the cardinal-ministers." A sensational 3-year trial (1661-64) of the powerful and corrupt finance minister Nicolas Fouquet sent the would-be chief minister to prison for life. The king thereafter controlled his own government until his death, acting through his high state council and a few select ministers, whom he called or dismissed at will. The most famous and powerful of the ministers were Jean Baptiste Colbert in internal affairs and the marquis de Louvois in military matters. Breaking with tradition, Louis excluded from his council members of his immediate family, great princes, and others of the old military nobility; his reliance on the newer judicial nobility.

Your Role

You are quickly rising the nobility ranks and it is your desire to become a member of the King's High State Council. However, before you are even allowed to speak with his majesty you must complete a series of tasks and only then are you allowed to write a letter to the Sun King explaining why your addition to the council would be to France's and his advantage.

 How Navigate Webquest:

Tools

Your Series of Quests!

Admitance of Your Letter to King Louis XIV

 Interested in Overachieving

Are you a new member of the High State Council