A Comparison of the Characteristics of the Absolutist Rule of Charles I of England and Louis XIV of France

A Comparison of the Characteristics of the Absolutist Rule of Charles I of England and Louis XIV of France

While both the French and English empires were growing overseas, the

modern system of great powers was evolving in Europe itself. France

became Europe's superpower in the 1600's. Louis XIV, the "Sun King,"

served as a model of absolute royal power. England in the 1600's, by

contrast, provided an early example of more democratic rule as

Parliament limited the power of monarchs.

From the 1560's to the 1590's, religious wars between Huguenots

(French Protestants) and the Catholic majority tore France apart.

Leaders on each side used the war to make themselves look better. Two

of the lead families (one from each side) wanted to replace the

declining Valois dynasty. The worst of the fighting began on St.

Bartholomew's Day, August 24, 1572. At a wedding, violence erupted

that lead to 3,000 Huguenot deaths. In the coming days, many more were

murdered. St. Bartholomew's Day stood for the breakdown of France. In

1589, Henry of Navarre inherited the throne and became known as Henry

IV. He became Catholic so the French population would support him in

his efforts. When he dies in 1610, his nine year old son, Louis XIII

inherited the throne. In 1624, Louis made Cardinal Armand Richelieu

his chief minister. He spent 18 years strengthening the central

government. Richelieu was determined to destroy the power of the

nobles and the Huguenots, two groups that would not tolerate royal

authority. He defeated their armies and destroyed their castles. He

got them back by giving those positions at court or in the army.

Richelieu outlawed their armies...

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occasionally died on the battlefield or were murdered by rivals. But,

this was the first time that a ruling monarch had been tried and

executed by his own people. The parliamentary forces had sent a clear

signal that, in England, no ruler could claim absolute power and

ignore the rule of law.

Louis outlived his sons and grandsons. When he died in 1715, his five

year old great-grandson inherited the throne as Louis XV. Louis XV was

far too weak a king to deal with all the problems in France. He

neglected his duties and squandered any hope for a positive tenure as

king. He knew reform was needed, but he left that up to a future

leader. English rulers still had a lot of power, but they had to deal

with Parliament. In the age of absolute monarchy elsewhere in Europe,

a limited monarchy in England was radical enough.