Louis XIII of France1601-1643

Background Louis XIII was the oldest son of Henry

IV Louis XIII ascended to the throne at

the age of 8 after his father was assassinated

His mother, Marie de Medici, ruled for him until he turned 15 (rebelled against mom)

Maria de Medicii

Background When Louis XIII came to power, he

filled his administration with loyal friends

He executed people who were loyal to his mother

In 1624, Cardinal Richelieu would play a key part in Louis XIII’s administration for 18 years

Cardinal Richelieu French Chief Minister

Cardinal Richelieu His chief goal was to check the power

of the Hapsburg Empire He was a Catholic Cardinal, but was

not afraid to make pacts with Protestant rulers

He oversaw the fighting of the Thirty Years War

Cardinal Richelieu Cardinal Richelieu had to raise taxes

in order to pay for the Thirty Years War

A tax was raised on salt and on land However, most of the burden fell on

the poor, while the Clergy and Nobility found loopholes

Cardinal Richelieu He censored the press Had internal spies Executed those who rebelled

The End of Louis XIII & Richelieu Cardinal Richelieu died 5 months

before Louis XIII Cardinal Richelieu was followed by

Cardinal Mazarin and Louis XIII was followed by Louis XIV

France is on its way to becoming the strongest country in Europe

Cardinal Mazrin

Louis XIV