Was Louis XIV An Absolute Monarch? Louis XIV also known as France’s Sun King is the perfect example of an Absolute Monarch. But first what is an Absolute Monarch? An Absolute Monarch is a ruler of a country that everything and everyone in his land such as his subjects, government and even the church. These monarchs believe they were God gave them their power. Absolute Monarchs had full power and were really wealthy . This essay will talk about how Louis is the perfect Absolute Monarch. Louis XIV was born to be the Monarch of France. On September 5, 1638 Louis was born to Louis XIII and his wife, Anne of Austria and was believed to be “god-given”. He inherited the throne form his father at the age of four. The royal family was driven out of Paris twice and a civil war started. This war caused Louis hardship and misfortune. All this fear and lack of pride formed him into the monarch he was. He wanted everything to be elaborate which wasn’t a luxury he had before and never trusting his people. Louis XIV ruled longer than any other monarch in Europe’s history. He ruled for 72 starting at age 4 in 1643 to 1715 when he was 76 years. If he weren’t an Absolute Monarch he wouldn’t have ruled for such a long time. Nobody could revolt against him thanks to the Divine Right of Kings stating that the monarch was chosen by God and that if someone was to go against the king than they are going against god which is sinful. Louis XIV wanted complete and absolute power over France. He was determined to be the sole leader with nobody coming in between. He was the strongest person in the country stronger than the government and even the Church. Louis believed as the Sun King he did not any consent and was the only decision maker. Louis XIV did not share his power in anyway and made sure that everybody was under his watchful eye. Louis was really scared of losing his power to one any of the nobles around him. He made all the nobles move with him in the Court of Versailles to have them under his control so none of them would rebel. He made it clear that he was the ruler, and that all orders came from him. Louis removed the limits to legislative power. He took the customary power of parliament to ensure his power and regulations. He reformed judicial systems to give himself power. Louis did anything to be the only one with power Louis glorified the monarchy with through the arts and buildings. He was a strong believer in the arts and a big patron of the arts. He would have great French painters paint portraits of him that showed many aspects of his wealth and power. But the Court of Versailles was his biggest statement as it showed how powerful and rich he actually is. It was an extravagant building showing his power as he moved the government from Paris to Versailles and wealth from the sheer size of it. Louis XIV showed his wealth and power to other countries by fighting Continental Wars. In 1667-1668 the war of Devolution against the Habsburg controlled Spanish Netherlands. 5 years later France started a war against the United Provinces of Netherlands in the Third Anglo-Dutch War from 1672-1678. In 1697 he fought both England and the Netherlands in Franco-Dutch War. Also the War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714. Louis’ army and its participation in wars showed his power and strong leadership. This was all a symbol of wealth and power in Louis XIV’s eyes. Louis is an Absolute Monarch that ruled France. He had full power over everything and had wealth beyond anybody’s imagination. He did everything possible to be the only ruler of France and succeeded. Louis XIV is the perfect example of an Absolute Monarch and Absolutism itself.

Was Louis XIV An Absolute Monarch?

Louis XIV also known as France’s Sun King is the perfect example of an Absolute Monarch.  But first what is an Absolute Monarch? An Absolute Monarch is a ruler of a country that everything and everyone in his land such as his subjects, government and even the church. These monarchs believe they were God gave them their power. Absolute Monarchs had full power and were really wealthy . This essay will talk about how Louis is the perfect Absolute Monarch.

Louis XIV was born to be the Monarch of France. On September 5, 1638 Louis was born to Louis XIII and his wife, Anne of Austria and was believed to be “god-given”. He inherited the throne form his father at the age of four. The royal family was driven out of Paris twice and a civil war started. This war caused Louis hardship and misfortune. All this fear and lack of pride formed him into the monarch he was. He wanted everything to be elaborate which wasn’t a luxury he had before and never trusting his people.

Louis XIV ruled longer than any other monarch in Europe’s history. He ruled for 72 starting at age 4 in 1643 to 1715 when he was 76 years. If he weren’t an Absolute Monarch he wouldn’t have ruled for such a long time. Nobody could revolt against him thanks to the Divine Right of Kings stating that the monarch was chosen by God and that if someone was to go against the king than they are going against god which is sinful.

Louis XIV wanted complete and absolute power over France. He was determined to be the sole leader with nobody coming in between. He was the strongest person in the country stronger than the government and even the Church. Louis believed as the Sun King he did not any consent and was the only decision maker.

Louis XIV did not share his power in anyway and made sure that everybody was under his watchful eye. Louis was really scared of losing his power to one any of the nobles around him. He made all the nobles move with him in the Court of Versailles to have them under his control so none of them would rebel. He made it clear that he was the ruler, and that all orders came from him.

Louis removed the limits to legislative power. He took the customary power of parliament to ensure his power and regulations. He reformed judicial systems to give himself power. Louis did anything to be the only one with power

Louis glorified the monarchy with through the arts and buildings. He was a strong believer in the arts and a big patron of the arts. He would have great French painters paint portraits of him that showed many aspects of his wealth and power. But the Court of Versailles was his biggest statement as it showed how powerful and rich he actually is. It was an extravagant building showing his power as he moved the government from Paris to Versailles and wealth from the sheer size of it.

Louis XIV showed his wealth and power to other countries by fighting Continental Wars. In 1667-1668 the war of Devolution against the Habsburg controlled Spanish Netherlands. 5 years later France started a war against the United Provinces of Netherlands in the Third Anglo-Dutch War from 1672-1678. In 1697 he fought both England and the Netherlands in Franco-Dutch War. Also the War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714. Louis’ army and its participation in wars showed his power and strong leadership. This was all a symbol of wealth and power in Louis XIV’s eyes.

Louis is an Absolute Monarch that ruled France. He had full power over everything and had wealth beyond anybody’s imagination. He did everything possible to be the only ruler of France and succeeded. Louis XIV is the perfect example of an Absolute Monarch and Absolutism itself.