Ascendancy of France 1598-1715

"Ascendancy of France 1598-1715" provides a definitive account of the period during which France established its cultural and political dominance over the European continent. Covering the critical era from the end of the French Wars of Religion to the death of Louis XIV, Henry Offley Wakeman examines the strategic developments and leadership that propelled the Bourbon monarchy to the forefront of international affairs.

The work delves into the transformative ministries of Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin, illustrating how they consolidated royal power and curtailed the influence of the nobility. A central focus is the long reign of Louis XIV, the "Sun King," whose ambitions led to significant territorial gains and a complex web of European alliances. Readers will find detailed analyses of major conflicts, including the Thirty Years' War and the Wars of the Spanish Succession, alongside the domestic policies that fostered administrative centralization. This historical study is an essential resource for those seeking to understand the foundations of the modern state system and the zenith of French absolutism.

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