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.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.