The Frondes (1648-1653)

Question 1

Timeline of the Fronde Parlementaire: August 1648- March 1649.

Answer 1

• Broussel was arrested.
• Barricades were put up in the street.
• Gondi administered the last rites.
• Anne sent Seguier to get control of Paris. He was attacked, and hid.
• Molè led Parlement to petition Anne. Broussel was released.
• Louis XIV, Anne and Mazarin left Paris.
• Civil war in France.
• Treaty of Rueil.

Question 2

Timeline of the Aristocratic Fronde: January 1650- February 1653.

Answer 2

• Mazarin arrested Condè and Conti.
• Paris Parlement took Condè’s side; unlawful imprisonment.
• Most of France in revolt by the end of 1650 (Condè’s clients).
• Anne, Mazarin and Louis XIV travel around trying to put down rebellions.
• Gondi and Gaston duc d’Orleans team up with Frondeurs.
• Mazarin goes into exile.
• February 1651; Parlement announced no foreigner should sit on the king’s council. Princes declared innocent of alleged crimes.
• September 1651; King comes of age. Mazarin is recalled.
• March 1652; Parlement issues remonstrance to Louis XIV.
• Condè behaves badly.
• Mazarin exiles himself again so Louis XIV can make uncontested entrance back into Paris.
• February 1653; Mazarin recalled again.

Question 3

What was the Fronde Ormeè?

Answer 3

• The Ormeè (union of people against the ruling oligarchy) had successfully seized power. However, having wrenched control from the provincial Parlements, the Ormeè was unable to carry out any constructive reforms and, while alliances with Spain and latterly Oliver Cromwell prolonged the revolt, it was only a matter of time before it was put down.

Question 4

Causes of the Frondes: Anne and Mazarin.

Answer 4

• Alienation of officers via Fiscal policies.
• Arrest of the Princes of the blood. (This was a primary trigger factor).
• Widley disliked as they were foreign, corrupt and untrustworthy.
• The use of the Lit de Justice was provocative. Using other ways to deal with Parlement.

Question 5

Causes of the Frondes: The Thirty Years War.

Answer 5

• Creates unprecedented financial pressures.

- The army is mostly situated abroad becuase of this, and is unable to deal with disputes in France.

Question 6

Causes of the Frondes: Financial Policies.

Answer 6

• Mazarin gambled with money, hoping for quick success in the Thirty Years War. He borrows recklessly to fund this. This risk does not pay off.
• New taxation such as the Toise and Franch Fief.
• Treatment of officers and Parlements (tax).

Question 7

Causes of the Frondes: Opposition from Parlement and Officers.

Answer 7

• They encouraged riots.
• Remonstrate against new taxes which were not supported.
• Officers and Parlement united against the government.
• Chambre de Saint Louis. The monarchy temporarily gives in to them.

Question 8

Causes of the Frondes: Failure to control the nobility.

Answer 8

• Failed to control ambition.
• Affair of the Importants.
• Condè’s ambition causes second Fronde.
• Nobility united with Parlement during the second Fronde.