The French Monarchy in 1643

Question 1

What edict did Richelieu achieve that permanently weakened the Huguenot’s ability to rebel?

Answer 1

The Edict of Grace, 1629

Question 2

How did Richelieu develop French propaganda?

Answer 2

Academie Francaise pamphleteers - defended and glorified Rich.

• Royal press presented government opinion as fact

Question 3

How did Richelieu circumvent royal procedure?

Answer 3

• Chambres l’Arsenal - quickly tried and removed royal opponents
• Weakened Paris Parlement and its right to remonstrance against royal edicts, increasing royal power.
• Also infringed Parlement’s liberties further by handpicking judges in 1643 - meant Parlement lost prestige as well as revenue
• Intendents supervised judicial affairs and civil cases - sovereign courts overruled

Question 4

Where did Richelieu extend government administration to to increase royal control in the provinces?

Answer 4

Dauphine, Provence and Burgundy

Question 5

What else did Richelieu do to increase royal power provincially?

Answer 5

Increased intendent use and power - used troops to enforce taxation in 1642 for example.

Question 6

Name three of Richelieu’s goals regarding France and Europe.

Answer 6

• wanted to weaken Habsburg power (problem of Habsburg encirclement) to limit invasions along France’s eastern border
• Take Alsace to increase border security
• Frustrate the ambitions of Spanish King Philip IV

Question 7

In what year did France enter the 30 Years War

Answer 7

1635

Question 8

What territories did France capture during the 30 Years War?

Answer 8

Alsace and Rhine Bridgeheads - achieving Richelieu’s goal of gaining a stronger eastern border. Now in a much stronger position

Laid the foundations of French-European dominance

Question 9

What unsettled the monarchy’s natural Catholic supporters by 1643?

Answer 9

Ongoing Huguenot religious freedom

A protestant war against Spain that increased poverty.

Question 10

Name two royal family members who opposed the Protestant war against Spain and royal policies.

Answer 10

Gaston d’Orleans - repeatedly tried removing Richelieu and even plotted his murder 1641-2

Anne of Austria - confessed to treasonable correspondence with her brother, a Cardinal of Spain

Question 11

What did Louis XIII do that inspired future aristocratic rebellion?

Answer 11

Despite Clinq-Mers’ execution in 1642, Louis XIII absolved other conspirators, including Gaston and the Duc de Bouillion, who were involved in the murder plot against Richelieu, as well as Anne of Austria

Question 12

… of Parlements created conditions for habitual opposition and revolt

Answer 12

Royal treatment of Parlements created conditions for habitual opposition and revolt

Question 13

What two provinces openly defied royal policy and how did they do it?

Answer 13

Aix and Rouen in 1642 - rejected Chambres de Requetes

Question 14

How much did the 30 Years War cost on average per annum?

Answer 14

25m livres - govt expenses outran revenue and debt interest spiralled

Question 15

What was tax collection like?

Answer 15

Corrupt and wasteful - only 75% of Gabelle collected in 1641

Question 16

How common was tax evasion in 1643?

Answer 16

Tax evasion was widespread in 1643

Question 17

How much of France was comprised of pay d’etats and how much of taxes did they contribute to?

Answer 17

Comprised 1/3 of France, but paid 10% of all taxes

Question 18

As a result of widespread tax evasion, what did revenue become increasingly dependent on?

Answer 18

High interest rentes and office sales

Question 19

How high were interest rates at this point to increase revenue?

Answer 19

20-33%, breaking the 5.5% legal limit

Question 20

How many more administrative posts were sold than what was required in order to increase revenue and decrease debt?

Answer 20

By 1642 - 40,000 more posts than administration required?

Question 21

Where was there a revolt against taxes in 1643?

Answer 21

Orleans. Meant no opportunity remained to increase taxation without the risk of further revolt

Question 22

What was the state of Richelieu’s army in 1643?

Answer 22

Undisciplined and not big or good enough to decisively defeat its enemies.

Question 23

How did corrupt commanders and some intendants cheat muster rolls?

Answer 23

By borrowing other regiments troops, temporarily recruiting peasants or retaining dead soldiers on pay rolls

Question 24

How were French troops treated and how did they act?

Answer 24

Often unpaid and prone to looting and extortion