Louis XIII of France Louis XIII of France (1601-1643)(1601-1643)

BackgroundBackground

Louis XIII was the oldest son of Henry Louis XIII was the oldest son of Henry IV IV

Louis XIII ascended to the throne at Louis XIII ascended to the throne at the age of 8 after his father was the age of 8 after his father was assassinatedassassinated

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

Marie de MediciMarie de Medici

When Louis XIII came to power, he When Louis XIII came to power, he filled his administration with loyal filled his administration with loyal friendsfriends

He executed people who were loyal He executed people who were loyal to his motherto his mother

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

Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu French ChiefFrench ChiefMinisterMinister

Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu

His chief goal was to check the His chief goal was to check the power of the Hapsburg Empirepower of the Hapsburg Empire

He was a Catholic Cardinal, but was He was a Catholic Cardinal, but was not afraid to make pacts with not afraid to make pacts with Protestant rulersProtestant rulers

He oversaw the fighting of the Thirty He oversaw the fighting of the Thirty Years WarYears War

Cardinal Richelieu had to raise taxes Cardinal Richelieu had to raise taxes in order to pay for the Thirty Years in order to pay for the Thirty Years WarWar

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

the poor, while the Clergy and the poor, while the Clergy and Nobility found loopholesNobility found loopholes

He censored the pressHe censored the press Had internal spies Had internal spies Executed those who rebelledExecuted those who rebelled

Cardinal Richelieu died 5 months Cardinal Richelieu died 5 months before Louis XIIIbefore Louis XIII

Cardinal Richelieu was followed by Cardinal Richelieu was followed by Cardinal Mazarin and Louis XIII was Cardinal Mazarin and Louis XIII was followed by Louis XIVfollowed by Louis XIV

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

Cardinal MazarinCardinal Mazarin

Louis XIVLouis XIV