Anne of Austria is the daughter of King Philip II of Spain. France and Spain are rivals and enemies. Diplomacy arranges marriages in the name of state affairs.
Anne, born almost at the same time as the future Louis XIII, is to become his wife. Philippe Delorme describes this mismatched royal couple, with 22 years passing before a dauphin is born, the future Louis XIV.
The queen, upon becoming a widow, acts as regent. She is successively assisted by Richelieu and Mazarin. This is the Fronde of the grandees who wish to restore feudalism and regain their powers. Anne of Austria is firm and resolute, a Habsburg, she defends her son’s throne.
Moreover, after his mother’s death, Louis XIV would express words full of respect and gratitude: “The queen my mother was not only a great queen, but she deserved to be placed among the greatest kings.”
Louis XIV owed his throne to three people: his mother Anne, Richelieu, and Mazarin, three people who had a lofty conception of the state and the service of France. A conception, unfortunately, much forgotten today.
A book to read, especially in these times when the merchants of happiness disguise themselves as butterflies to better seduce us. But are they concerned about the state?
by Thierry Jan
