Louis XIVThe Sun King, Louis XIV was only four years old when he succeeded his father to the throne of France. Often left untreated, he risked drowning because no one was watching him while he played near a pond. (The Sun King) This began to take shape in his young mind, and gave him an early fear of God. Louis was also shaped by the French Civil War. In this, the Parliament of Paris rose up against the crown. For five years, Louis suffered fear, cold, hunger and other shocking events. He would never forgive Paris, the nobles or the common people. Finally, in 1653, Cardinal Jules Mazarin managed to put an end to the rebellion. He began to educate Louis about his position as king. Even though Louis XIV was now of age, the cardinal remained the dominant authority in French politics. Louis served in the French army during France's war with Spain. His greatest struggle was sacrificing his love for Mazarin's niece for politics. In 1660 he married the daughter of the king of Spain to bring peace between the two countries. Mazarin died on 9 March 1661. On 10 March Louis claimed supreme authority in France. Not since the time of Henry IV had such a claim been made. Louis considered himself God's representative on earth, therefore infallible. (Louis He had the support of his ministers and the French people. He had given France the image it desired, youth and vitality surrounded by magnificence. Louis won the favor of the nobles by making it clear that their future depended on their ability to remain on his side. This weakened the nobility and ultimately weakened France. Louis had among his supporters a broad spectrum of indiv...... middle of paper ......c de Bourgogne, he was a sickly child of five. Louis had distrusted his nephew, the Duke of Orleans, and wanted to leave effective power in the hands of the Duke of Maine. He left instructions in his will to do so. The Paris Parliament came together to fight the will and, in doing so, rediscovered its power. This would set in motion a series of events that would lead to revolution. Although praised in his country, outside France Louis had a ferocious reputation. Although he is credited with bringing France to the status it had achieved, his policies regarding religion, his seclusion of the throne at Versailles, and his last wishes combined to lead to the fall of the monarchy. Although seen as a strong ruler, France lost power under him. He wanted France to prosper and its citizens to suffer. Still considering it infallible, he saw nothing but the glorious image of France.