Louis XIV did not crush the nobility but instead
incorporated them into his centralized state.
The Evidence
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Henry IV
parlements
intendants
corvee
Louis XIII
Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal Mazarin
Fronde
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Bishop Bossuet
Versailles
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
taille
mercantilism
Revocation of the Edict
of Nantes
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Bishop Bossuet’s theory of divine right of kings led
Louis XIV to declare “I am the state”.
Building of Versailles to impress nobles and
foreigners
Use of intendants to manage state affairs and spies
to control the nobles
The promotion of members of the bourgeoisie to
important roles in the state and sometimes to titles
of nobility
The selling of noble titles, which reduced their value
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and enforcement
of religious uniformity
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Not calling the Estates General even once in his long
reign, thereby depriving the nobility of their political
platform
Creating an elaborate patronage system at Versailles
Use of art, architecture, and literature to enhance the
prestige of the royal court
Successfully expanding France’s borders to their
“natural limits”
Expanding the army
Creating a national language through the French
Academy
Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s mercantilism increased the
national wealth and improved royal finances