1.2 The Regency Council and the build up to the Frondes Flashcards
The period of rule of Anne and Mazarin following Louis XIII's death.
How did Mazarin worsen the French financial situation?
Made the problems he had inherited from Richelieu a lot worse
- prioritised conquering land at the expense of borrowing more money
- mounted debts of over 100 million livres
- taxation in 1648 was 3x 1630
How did Louis XIII attempt to limit Anne’s power through his will?
denied political players the opportuntity to take power after his death
- established a council of regency in which members could only be replaced after one had died
- majority votes were required
- tried to ensure Anne would not take full power as regent
Why and how did Louis’ will fail?
overestimated his power after his death
*also undersestimated Anne’s malice in completely disregarding his last wish
* she overturned her husband’s will
what four steps did Anne take to overturn Louis’ will?
this ocurred four days after his death
- took the young Louis XIV to a lit de justice session at the Paris Parlement in order to remove any restrictions placed on her power
- out Louis on the throne in the parlement and took a seat to his right
- surrounded herself with anyone who might otherwise pose a threat (Conde, Gaston etc.)
- used Louis to initiate the request ‘Gentlemen, I am come to show my affection, my chancellor will tell you the rest’
How did Anne secure her position as sole regent?
invited Mazarin to be chief minister
- created an inner circle that included Seguier, d’Hemery and Le Tellier
- gave princes of the blood mighty positions that didn’t actually give them much power to flatter their egos
How did Mazarin anger nobles and what was their response?
by promising things he never delivered
- from 1643-1644 the Duc de Beaufort led nobles in a plan to assasinate Mazarin
- it was uncovered by spies but a new plot quickly formed
- aristocrats were not prepared to accept Mazarin as minister
- ‘people can’t doubt it any longer, it’s true that he shags her’ and love potions as well as xenophobia
Why was the Paris Parlement facing unrest?
they wanted a leading advisory role to scale back Louis XIII’s policies but this was not a priority for Anne so they took control
- she made no attempt to overrule them until January 1648
- they attacked royal power by blocking and challenging things such as finance raising measures, judicial reviews and lits de justices
- they purposefully blocked bills to rebel
How was the crown losing control over royal finances by 1648?
through rentiers and officiers
- rentiers loan and bond interests were cut as well as their expected investment returns lost
- officiers salaries were cut and their tax exemptions were lost
- military expenses had also skyrocketed
What was Anne’s plan to raise more money in January of 1648?
- sell 12 new office positions - maitres des requetes who were royal judges
- impose taxes on parisian food and wine
- impose the franc-fief tax which was a tax on non-nobles who had previously owned property in the hands of the nobility
Why did Anne’s plans to raise money in January of 1648 backfire?
- calling a lit de justice seemed unfair as Louis XIV was so young - illegal bullying?
- Mazarin could not offer aid as he was at war
- royal judges condemned the edicts and called them unlawful
- Mole did not refuse to register these edicts but rather had magistrates constantly amend them which made them unviable
overview of the build up to the Frondes?
- Louis XIII dies 1643
- Anne becomes regent
- Mazarin frustrates nobles
- Mazarin worsens the French financial situation
- Anne and Mazarin exploit parlement to raise money
