Louis XIV Biography and Timeline

Peace of Westphalia

France gains influence in Alsace and along the Rhine.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

France receives important Habsburg rights and influence in Alsace.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

France gains control of Breisach and strengthens its Rhine frontier.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

French possession of Metz is confirmed in the settlement.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

France receives garrison rights at Philippsburg on the Rhine.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

French possession of Toul is confirmed under the peace terms.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

French possession of Verdun is confirmed as part of the Three Bishoprics.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Westphalia

France emerges from the settlement with increased influence on the Rhine.

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Louis Invades Spanish Flanders

Louis XIV launched the War of Devolution by sending his armies into Spanish-held Flanders to enforce territorial claims.

Lille Taken During Devolution War

French forces captured Lille in the War of Devolution, giving Louis XIV an important new fortress in Flanders.

French Capture of Maastricht

Takes Maastricht after a rapid siege directed by French engineers.

Role range: 1673-1673 – 1643-1715

Siege of Maastricht

Leads the royal campaign against the strategically important fortress.

Role range: 1673-1673 – 1643-1715

Fontainebleau Revokes Nantes Edict

Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes, accelerating persecution and the flight of French Protestants from the kingdom.

French Crown Targets Mons Fortress

Louis XIV made the capture of Mons a principal objective for the opening of the 1691 campaign in the Nine Years War.

Louis Arrives At Mons Siege

Louis XIV personally oversaw the siege of Mons, lending royal prestige to a major French offensive.

Mons Capitulates To French Crown

Mons surrendered in April 1691, providing Louis XIV with a significant success early in the campaign.

French Occupation Begins At Mons

After capitulation, Louis XIV's forces took possession of Mons and added the city to their strategic network in the Spanish Netherlands.