Louis XIV Biography and Timeline

Birth of Louis XIV the Sun King

Birth of Louis XIV the Sun King, son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria

Role range: 1643-1715

Birth of Louis XIV

Birth of Louis XIV, son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.

Role range: 1643-1715

Minority Reign

Becomes king as a child after the death of Louis XIII.

Role range: 1643-1715

Succession

Succeeds as King of France

Role range: 1643-1715

Battle of Rocroi

Victory over Spain gives France hegemony in Europe in place of Spain

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Exile of Louis XIV

Receives his cousin Charles II during his exile from the English Civil War

Role range: 1643-1715

The Fronde

Faces parliamentary and noble revolt during childhood.

Role range: 1648-1653 – 1643-1715

Flight from Paris

Leaves Paris during the Fronde unrest.

Role range: 1648-1653 – 1643-1715

Peace

Peace between the frondeurs, rebels, and the French court

Role range: 1643-1715

Succession

Declared of age

Role range: 1643-1715

Return to Paris

Returns to Paris after royal authority recovers.

Role range: 1648-1653 – 1643-1715

Coronation

Is crowned King of France at Reims.

Role range: 1643-1715

Commercial Treaty with England

Agrees a commercial treaty with England and removes some royalist exiles from French support

Role range: 1643-1715

England will provide a fleet and 6,000 men and France 20,000 for

England will provide a fleet and 6,000 men and France 20,000 for war against Spain

Role range: 1643-1715

French Forces Combined with English in Flanders

Louis XIV's government coordinates French forces with English troops for campaigning against Spain in Flanders.

Role range: 1643-1715

It is agreed France will capture Gravelines and England will capture Dunkirk

It is agreed France will capture Gravelines and England will capture Dunkirk and Mardyck

Role range: 1643-1715

Battle of the Dunes

Benefits from the Franco-English victory near Dunkirk.

Role range: 1635-1659 – 1643-1715

Capture of Dunkirk

Marches into Dunkirk after its capture from the Spanish. Hands Dunkirk over to Lockhart, the English Commander

Marriage

Marries Marie-Therese daughter of Philip IV of Spain

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Rule of Netherlands

Under the Treaty of the Pyrenees France receives part of the Netherlands

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Rule of Roussillon

Under the Treaty of the Pyrenees France receives Roussillon

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Treaty of Pyrenees

Ends the war with Spain, France receives Roussillon and part of the Spanish Netherlands

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Marriage

Marries Maria Theresa of Spain, helping seal peace between France and Spain

Role range: 1643-1715

Marriage

Marries Maria Theresa of Spain.

Role range: 1643-1715

Death of Mazarin

On the death of Mazarin assumes complete control

Role range: 1643-1715

Personal Rule

Takes personal control after Mazarin's death.

Role range: 1643-1715

Personal Rule

Appointed Prime Minister of France, appoints himself

Role range: 1643-1715

French Claim to Flanders Anticipated

Louis XIV signals an intention to press claims in Flanders after the expected death of Philip IV.

Role range: 1643-1715

French Finances

After the Thirty Year and Civil War debt is pounds143 million, revenue is pounds71 million

Role range: 1643-1715

French War Debt

After the Thirty Year and Civil War debt is pounds143 million, revenue is pounds71 million

Role range: 1643-1715

Invasion of Flanders

Writes to Clarendon saying when Philip IV dies he will seize Flanders

Role range: 1618-1648 – 1643-1715

Jansenist Policy

Expels Jansenist novices. Enforces the Papal Bull condemning many Jansenist beliefs as heresy

Role range: 1643-1715

Taxation

After the Thirty Year and Civil War debt is pounds143 million, revenue is pounds71 million

Role range: 1643-1715

Purchase of Dunkirk

Purchases Dunkirk from Charles II of England.

Role range: 1643-1715

Purchase of Dunkirk

Purchases Dunkirk from Charles II as France expands control on the Channel coast.

Role range: 1643-1715

Purchase of Dunkirk

Purchases Dunkirk from England as Charles II sells the port to France.

Role range: 1643-1715

New France Royal Colony

Takes New France under direct royal control after the end of company rule.

Role range: 1643-1715

Tartuffe

Louis XIV sees Moliere's Tartuffe during court festivities at Versailles.

Role range: 1643-1715

Tartuffe

Sees Moliere's Tartuffe during court festivities.

Role range: 1643-1715

French East India Company

Authorises a company to expand French trade in Asia.

Role range: 1643-1715