Henry VIII and Louis XIV
Henry VIII and Louis XIV were both men whose accomplishments on a national level for their respective countries of England and France were great, but whose very different personal problems gave them a negative impression in history. The two leaders had very different ruling styles, but with a few similar themes throughout. Perhaps the best thing to look at first is their very different attitudes toward God and God¹s power in monarchy and state. Henry
VIII on England grew up as a very strong Catholic, at the insistence of his mother and father. He was known to be ³a man of daily devotionals, setting an example for his people² (Canon 76). His own writings, most especially a book of
Catholicism entitled The Sanctoreum earned him the title from Pope Leo III the title ³Defender of the Faith.² His book had served as an answer to the teachings of Martin Luther, a man whose principals Henry later put into effect in his very own country, in the Protestant Reformation.
France, however, was a very strongly Catholic country where the Roman church had a great deal of influence. Louis, although supposed not to be a very fastidious devote of the religion, or any religion, took part in a minor reorganization of the Roman Catholic Church inside France. It is apparent now that Louis basically went along with the reforms dictated by the pope in regards to religion.
In economic matters, the two rulers perhaps differed even more greatly.
Henry was a fastidious economist, often commenting about the expense of things at the royal court, and taking action to have whatever the latest offense to the treasury happened to be. Louis, however, spent extravagantly, sparing no expense for himself or his nobles. His ultimate goal was once again to make the court of France the center of fashion and art once again. He created Versailles, a monstrosity of Baroque art, most of it gilded with pure gold and other precious metal. It is a sprawling country estate with an even more spectacular exterior than interior. Louis bankrupted the Treasury of France through another extrvangance as well: his wars. Louis fought four major wars. His great aim was to make himself supreme in Europe. As a start, he planned to conquer all lands west of the Rhine River. He gained several important ter...
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...bert died in 1685, the reign of the Sun King became less glorified. He forced the noble families to stay at court at Versailles, creating the problem of absentee landlords for the commoners, who lived in relative poverty compared to the great splendour of
Versailles. Louis died gradually of disease, and after his reign, political influence in France declined greatly for a number of years. However, France remembers him in a much better way than history admires Henry the VIII.
Both monarchs suffered troubled lives, and still managed to accomplish great things for England and France. Henry VIII raised scientific awareness and appreciation for art that had previously been absent from England. Louis XIV added a new dimension to the arts such as the world had never seen. His reign was known as ranking above all others in art and literature, as well as dancing.
And yet, even today they are remembered for the most part their failings, Henry for his matrimonial troubles and Louis for his economic extravagances. It might do better to weigh the pros and cons of history instead of blind judgment on the basis of few facts when thinking of Henry VIII and Louis XIV.
that he had earned the position as the ruler of Europe the entire and would soon take
nation. In order to become a true absolute ruler Louis xiv needed to make sure
war often, for the sake of his country, but when he did he put in a
Martin Luther and the protestant religion that he advocated pushed a separation of church and state. By the time of the
revenge on the rebels who had taken everything from him by taking part in the fight against
the monarchy of his efforts and achievements and it was he who took all of the
In the seventeenth century there were different types of leaders in Europe. The classic monarchial rule was giving way to absolutist rule. Absolute kings claimed to be ruling directly from God, therefore having divine rule that could not be interfered with. In 1643 Louis XIV began his reign over France as an absolute king.
he create the spoils system in order to create a system of bribery for those that supported and
suggested he would become king meant he had a goal to aim for. It as
In the early years of King Henry’s reign, the king was more preoccupied with enjoying the benefits of fame and power than with ruling his country. During this period, the king was young, energetic, athletic, and quite happy to embrace these qualities of youth. Unfortunately, this left a rather large void in terms of governing England. Into this void, stepped his most trusted advisor, Cardinal Wolsey. Wolsey, during the early years of King Henry’s reign, enjoyed an immense amount of power and influence over many different arenas of English society. He served in several different church positions, much to his contemporaries char grin, and he served as the Lord Chancellor of England from 1515 onwards until his eventual fall from the King’s grace. These positions rewarded Wolsey with an immense amount of influence over the young King Henry VIII and his power. As the king was preoccupied with his youth, he was quite happy letting the cardinal act in his stead.
of human minds, and able to express true emotion into his art that very few artists could ever hope to portray.
With his fathers death he inherited a stable realm with a wealthy monarch. At that time parliament had not been summoned for supplies in 5 years. Henry’s different interests and lack of application of government business increased the influence of Thomas Wolsey, a son of a butcher, who became the Lord Chancellor in 1515. Wolsey ended up becoming one of the most powerful ministers in all of British history. He was also appointed Cardinal that year and given papal legate powers that allowed him to counter any decision made by archbishop of Canterbury. It allowed him to “govern” t...
King Henry VIII of England and Ireland, third child and second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was born on June 28, 1491. Henry VIII was born, like all other monarchs except Henry VII, at Greenwich Palace. His two brothers, Prince Arthur and Edmond, Duke of Somerst, and of his two sisters died before their father. Henry VIII was the only son. Margaret Tudor and Mary Tudor were the only daughters to survive. It is said the King Henry was destined for the church and that his powers were thrust upon him. He was the first monarch, English monarch, to be educated under the influence of the Renaissance. Henry was an accomplished scholar, musician, and athlete. With the death of his brother, Arthur, and the death of his father, Henry VIII toke the throne.
King Henry VIII of England and Ireland, third child and second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was born on June 28, 1491. Henry VIII was born, like all other monarchs except Henry VII, at Greenwich Palace. His two brothers, Prince Arthur and Edmond, Duke of Somerst, and of his two sisters died before their father. Henry VIII was the only son. Margaret Tudor and Mary Tudor were the only daughters to survive. It is said the King Henry was destined for the church and that his powers were thrust upon him. He was the first monarch, English monarch, to be educated under the influence of the Renaissance. Henry was an accomplished scholar, musician, and athlete. With the death of his brother, Arthur, and the death of his father, Henry VIII toke the throne.
...s assumption to the lands he sought to attain, and the throne he ironically set out to avenge.