According to the French themselves, in the novels of the sword and sword, Alexandre Dumas gave the most impartial portrait of King Louis XIII. This is a weak, and weak-willed, and changeable, and cold, and cruel, and avaricious sovereign, who is in the shadow of the great Cardinal Richelieu. But in fact, this little-known ruler, if you look at him closely, can overshadow the glory of both his father Henry IV and the son of Louis XIV.
During the 33 years of his reign, the Kingdom of France has changed a lot. There was a strengthening of power and administration, the development of trade relations and the navy. Subsequently, his son Louis XIV would take full advantage of these fruits.
Dauphin (1601-1610)
Louis XIII is the son of Henry IV, King of France and Navarre, and Marie de Medici. He was born in 1601. This marriage was purely dynastic, intended to maintain French influence in Italy by uniting Florence and France as an heir. It was also required to write off French debts from Florentine bankers. youngthe queen gave birth to six sons, of whom only two reached adulthood - Louis XIII and his brother Gaston, Duke of Orleans. The child grows up in the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, along with the illegitimate children of Henry IV. He is brought up mainly by Albert de Luyne. He instills in the child a love of hunting, walking in the fresh air, drawing and dancing, playing musical instruments, harpsichord and lute.
But de Luyne does not prepare a child for government. The father loves Louis very much and clearly distinguishes him from his children. Otherwise, his mother treats him. She prefers Gaston. Marie de Medici considers Louis slow and not very handsome. But Louis is not shy, despite his natural shyness, he is firmly convinced of his divine destiny. The father dies, killed by a fanatic, and the queen becomes regent for the young king. At this time Louis is only 8 years old. Mother, retreating from her husband's policy, seeks to get closer to Spain. Louis XIII has been engaged to Anna of Austria, daughter of the Spanish king, since 1612.
Regency
The Queen cannot fully manage the state, in which there is a tense situation between Protestants and Catholics. In addition, her subjects, representatives of the highest aristocratic families: Conde, Guise, Montmorency, are in a hurry to strengthen. The queen is actively influenced by her favorite, the Italian Concini, Marshal d'Ancre. Greedy and greedy, he inspires hatred in all who encounter him. In addition, feeling the strength behind him, he tries in every possible way to humiliate the future king. Louis XIII tryingput Concini in his place and protect his dignity, talks to his mother, but is subjected to new insults. From about this time, he begins to suffer from stomach pains, which will only intensify in the future. However, despite the pain, in deep secrecy, a 15-year-old shy teenager plots. The conspirators murdered Concini in the Louvre. Louis, clearly agreeing with the physical need to eliminate him, said reservedly, "I'm the king this time."
Result of the coup
These words testified to the strength of character of Louis XIII, who boldly took responsibility for the fate of France at the age of 15. But the beginning of domination is overshadowed by feudal unrest. Two opposing parties are formed. The one that supports the young Louis, and the one that relies on his mother. From 1619 to 1620 there is a "war" between mother and son. Cardinal Armand du Plessis Richelieu skillfully maneuvers between parties to bring peace to the kingdom.
Louis is initially wary of the actions of the peacemaker, but shares his vision of roy alty: to weaken the nobility and pacify the Protestants. Both had no doubts and stops when they considered something necessary. Joint work went quite harmoniously and effectively.
Personal life and Anna of Austria
The dynastic marriage took place in 1615. However, despite the fact that his wife is the first beauty not only in France, Ludovic is always surrounded by favorites, with whom he can hardly be called platonic.
King Louis XIII maintains a distant relationship with his wife. He is distrustful of the queen. And what the young king dislikes most of all is that there are no children in the marriage. Since the king has no heir, he is surrounded by various conspiracies. Only after fifteen years, the relationship of the spouses will begin to improve. But over the years, Anna of Austria was credited with more than one favorite, including Buckingham. After 23 years of marriage, long-awaited children appear. First Dauphin Louis, then Philippe d'Orleans.
In the meantime, there are no children, the Protestants go on an open uprising in La Rochelle, which is gradually supported by the French aristocrats and England, an old enemy from the Hundred Years War, which is still alive in the hearts of both the French and the British. The internal war against the English-backed Huguenots continues until 1628, when the citadel of La Rochelle capitulates. The peace treaty is accompanied by a confirmation of religious freedom. By this time the wars had exhausted the country, the treasury was empty.
Conspiracies
It would seem that the resistance of the nobility has been broken, but the aristocrats continue to oppose the firm policy of the king and the cardinal. The Duchess de Chevreuse dreams of seeing her brother as heir to the throne. The king's brother, Gaston of Orleans, also participates in the conspiracies. At this time, relations between the spouses are deteriorating. The king is informed that his military secrets are becoming known at the Spanish court. In his own house, King Louis XIII saw the enemy.
Louis XIII and AnneThe Austrian has always maintained tension and distrust in relations. The chambers of the wife were searched at the direction of the king. Anna's inability to give birth to a child (several miscarriages) alienated the spouses even more. But Richelieu, for the good of France, is making every effort to reconcile husband and wife.
Birth of an heir
This long-awaited event took place in 1638. But the tension of the situation at court and in the state does not fall. For 12 years, reforms have been underway to strengthen royal power, streamline the administration, destroy feudal remnants in the form of fights, and develop the navy. In this field, the king works hand in hand with the cardinal. They complement each other. Where the king seeks to take a drastic step, the cardinal suggests caution and flexibility.
They respect each other but keep their distance. This policy strengthens France's position on the world stage. The Thirty Years' Cold War ends in Italy, but in 1635 war broke out between France and Spain. The Spanish troops approach Paris. The king personally led the army, and the enemy was driven back. The war is going hard. Meanwhile, the king's he alth is deteriorating. Neither the king nor the cardinal saw the end of the war. In 1642, Armand du Plessis dies, but leaves an heir - Cardinal Mazarin. Louis XIII died of illness a year later, in 1643, leaving an heir at the age of four.
The absolute monarchy was created by Louis XIII, and Louis XIV will always beconcerned about the growth of its prestige. In the meantime, for many years, his mother, Anna of Austria, who becomes regent, receives full power.
Results of the reign
And the countryside, and the cities, and trade, and industrial activity suffered from the ongoing wars. But still, by 1643, France manages to become a major European power, which cannot be ignored. It was created by Louis XIII. The biography tells that it was thanks to him that the kingdom was freed from the claims of the Habsburgs, both Austrian and Spanish. Until that time, the territory of the kingdom was not so vast. A strong monarchical state arose. The monarchy has become absolute.
Louis himself was a hypochondriac, a sick and sad man, but the people mourned him and gave him the nickname the Just.
