Medieval and modern times : an introduction to the history of western Europe form the dissolution of the Roman empire to the present time . to the terrible civil wars of the sixteenth century, were reducedin numbers and no longer held fortified towns from which theycould defy the kings officers. Richelieu and Mazarin had suc-cessfully taken a hand in the Thirty Years War, and Francehad come out of it with enlarged territory and increased impor-tance in European affairs. Louis XIV carried the work of these great ministers still The govern-farther. He gave that form to the French monarchy which
Medieval and modern times : an introduction to the history of western Europe form the dissolution of the Roman empire to the present time . to the terrible civil wars of the sixteenth century, were reducedin numbers and no longer held fortified towns from which theycould defy the kings officers. Richelieu and Mazarin had suc-cessfully taken a hand in the Thirty Years War, and Francehad come out of it with enlarged territory and increased impor-tance in European affairs. Louis XIV carried the work of these great ministers still The govern-farther. He gave that form to the French monarchy which it Louis xivretained until the French Revolution. He made himself the verymirror of kingship. His marvelous court at Versailles became 387 Medieval and Modem Times the model and the despair of other less opulent and powerfulprinces, who accepted his theory of the absolute power of kingsbut could not afford to imitate his luxury. By his incessant warshe kept Europe in turmoil for over half a century. The dis-tinguished generals who led his newly organized troops, and thewily diplomats who arranged his alliances and negotiated his. Fig. 103. Loris XIV treaties, made France feared and respected by even the most powerful of the other European states. The theory Louis XIV had the same idea of kingship that James I had divine right tried in vain to induce the English people to accept God had of kings in gjven kings to men, and it was His will that monarchs should be regarded as His lieutenants and that aU those subject to them should obey them absolutely, without asking any questions or making any criticisms; for in submitting to their prince they were really submitting to God Himself. If the king were good
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Keywords: ., bookauthorrobinson, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1919
