Page 44 - All About History - Issue 56-17

Empire of the Sun King

Louis then enacted a programme of Fouquet, the seemingly all-powerful superintendent Fouquet was arrested and subjected to a sham
reform that initially appeared to give the of finances. Ambitious, arrogant and immensely trial that was intended to appease Louis. Though
disenfranchised people who lived on those wealthy, he enjoyed huge popularity among the the unfair treatment he received eventually
feudal lands the changes they sought. Heavily nobility. When Mazarin died, Fouquet expected to outraged French society, the message was clear:
taxed and exploited, they hoped that reforms take his old colleague’s place beside the king, but nobody was above the king, no matter what their
would lessen their burden, but that particular he had not reckoned on Louis’ own ambition. The office. For the French nobility, the old order was
change took decades. Instead, Louis XIV was monarch had a point to make and Fouquet would be about to be swept away.
remoulding the French monarchy as the very the new regime’s first casualty. Louis replaced Fouquet with Jean-Baptiste
model of absolutism. In a country facing financial ruin, Fouquet lived a Colbert, a trusted advisor upon whom he could rely.
life of unrestrained extravagance with close ties to Under the king’s direction, the unpopular land tax
The sun rises the wealthy tax-farmers who were responsible for was overhauled. Collectors had to keep records for
the first time and the practice of selling the rights
collecting duty across France. For this reason, Louis
Louis inherited an administration that was teetering had to handle him with care. But the king knew to tax collection via private deals was ended in
dangerously on the brink of bankruptcy. Presiding that if he could bring down Fouquet, it would send favour of a new public auction system. The results
over this disastrous bank balance was Nicolas a message to the rest of the aristocracy. were phenomenally successful, with treasury

Grand Designs The Hall of Mirrors The Apollo Salon

Louis proceeded through the The Apollo Salon was Louis’ throne room.
Hall of Mirrors every day, and it It once housed a magnificent throne, but
stood as a glittering symbol of that was melted down in 1689 and added
Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles his wealth and power. to the country’s war chest.
was a testament to his own
power, both in its opulent
grandeur and its position
outside Paris, forcing the
nobility to come to him

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The council chamber
Louis ruled absolutely and his
ministers were not allowed to make
any decisions. Instead, they gathered
each day in the council chamber to
listen to the king’s musings.

The king’s chambers
Each evening, Louis dined grandly
before his courtiers, who were not
allowed to eat in his presence without
permission. As their stomachs
growled, he gorged and feasted.

The bedchamber
Courtiers jostled for the sought-after
invite to Louis’ private apartments.
To hold the candle as he prepared
for bed was a highly prized honour.

The chapel royal
The chapel was the place where
Louis communed with God. As an
absolute monarch chosen by the
Lord, he put a great emphasis on
devotion to him and the Almighty.