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Louis XIV was born on 5 September 1638 in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.
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Louis XIV began to rule as King of France at the age of 4 after his father died.
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Nicolas V de Villeroy became the young king's tutor. Louis XIV even became friends with his young children.
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22-year old Louis took over the government after Cardinal Mazarin died, weakening the nobles' power and increasing the power of government agents.
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Louis XIV wanted France to achieve economic brilliance. Jean Baptiste Colbert (minister of finance) helped him achieve this.
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Louis invaded the Spanish Netherlands because he wanted to expand France. As a result, France won and they gained 12 towns.
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Louis built the Palace of Versailles which was where he lived while he ruled. Hundreds of men worked there to help feed and dress him.
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Louis XIV led his army into the Dutch Netherlands. Dutch barely won the war and saved their country.
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War ended with the Treaty Nijmegen. Louis and his army gained many towns and a region called Franche- Comte'.
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Louis cancelled the Edict of Nantes, which protected religious freedom of Huguenots. As a result of this, thousands of Huguenots fled the country and many skilled workers were lost.
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European countries later teamed up to match France's strength to achieve a balance of power between France and other European countries.
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Louis died peacefully in bed at the age of 72. His war's had ruined France and he regretted the suffering he had brought to his people.
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Louis had left a mixed legacy behind to his people. He was considered the most powerful ruler in French history and led France to many strong victories. Although, the constant warfare and construction of the Palace of Versailles plunged France into huge debt. Also, his abuse of power eventually led to revolution.
