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The Birth of Louis
King Louis XIV was born in 1638. His birth was the savior to his parents marriage because his mother only gave birth to three girls before him, and his father wanted a son to take over his rule. -
Father's Death
When Louis was 4 years and 8 months old, his father, Louis XIII, died of Crohn's disease. Louis XIV was the only child of his mother and father, and became the new ruler of France. Because he was not even five years old, he did not take responsibility of the country. Instead, his mother and other government officials did his duty until he was of age to take over. -
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Louis' Neglection
Louis' father died at a young age, forcing his mother to take over his responsibilities. This left young Louis in the care of multiple servants. Louis did not receive the love and attention that most young children receive while growing up. -
A Close Miss
After Louis XIII's death, Louis XIV was handed off to servants while his mother took over her dead husband's duties. Because of this, Louis was like any neglected child. He was rebellious and often escaped the watch of the servants looking after him. When he was 7 years old he barely missed drowning in a pond because there was no one looking after him. -
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Feelings Change
The Fronde wars were a series of wars in France that lasted five years. The wars sparked poverty, misfortune, fear, humiliation, cold, and hunger. These were feelings young King Louis had never felt, causing him to hold a grudge against Paris. -
Becoming a Young Pupil
After Cardinal Mazarin, France's chief minister, defeated the Rebels, he began to construct young Louis into the leader he became. He constructed an administrative apparatus and had Louis as his pupil. In doing this, he passed on his values and his love for the arts and elegance. -
Struggles With Love
Cardinal Mazarin was Louis XIII and Louis XIV's chief minister. When Louis XIV was 19 he fell in love with the Mazarin's niece, Marie Mancini. Because she was Italian and the niece of his minister, he was conflicted between love and duty for two years. -
Not True Love
Although Louis fell in love with the Mazarin's daughter, his love for her did not outmatch his love for his duty as king. To make peace between Spain and France, he married the daughter of Philip IV of Spain, Marie-Thérèse of Austria. This marriage ended the 24-year war between France and Spain -
The Extravagant Palace
The land of Louis' palace had been in the family for several generations. After his father died, Louis went every so often for hunting. When he married his wife, he decided to rebuild and enlarge the once modest hunting lodge. It is a mansion of over 700,000 square feet with several impressive features including beautiful gardens, a hall full of mirrors, and 700 rooms. It became the Palace of Versailles. -
The Only Living Child
Marie-Thérèse and Louis had five children together, but only one ended up surviving. Louis, dauphin of France, was their eldest son. His birth saved the marriage of his parents because he was the first son after three daughters. He was set to become king as he grew up, but he sadly died before he had the opportunity. -
Patronage of the Arts
When he was growing up, King Louis adopted the Mazarin's love for the arts. As an adult, he deemed the Palace of Versailles a center for the arts. He made opera and ballet popular during his rule and even danced in a play, the Sun King. He made the purpose of art to glorify the king, himself, and promote values that supported his absolute rule. -
Private Scandals
After Louis replaced his wife with several mistresses, one of his mistresses, the marquise de Montespan, was implicated in the Affair of the Poisons. This was a scandal in which important figures were accused of sorcery and murder. Out of fear for his reputation, he dismissed his mistress and turned to religion. In the following years he found several new mistresses to replace her. -
The Turning Point
In 1682, the seat of government transferred to Versailles. After this, the queen died and Louis' secret wife, Madame de Maintenon, gained political influence. This was his first and only wife that he remained devoted and faithful to throughout their marriage. -
The Death of Louis
King Louis XIV died of a tissue disease, gangrene, at age 76. His death was sudden and unexpected. He died in his Palace of Versailles, which came to be his final resting place.
