1638–1715, king of France (1643–1715), son and successor of King Louis XIII.   Early Reign After his father’s death his mother, Anne of Austria, was regent for Louis, but the real power was wielded by Anne’s adviser, Cardinal Mazarin. Louis did not take over the government until Mazarin’s death (1661). By then France was economically exhausted by the Thirty Years War, by the Fronde, and by fiscal abuses. But the centralizing policies of Richelieu and Mazarin …showed first 75 words of 551 total…

…showed last 75 words of 551 total…after the queen’s death. A great supporter of the arts, Louis patronized the foremost writers and artists of his time, including Molière, Jean Racine, Jean de La Fontaine, and Charles Le Brun. The architect Jules Mansart supervised the building of the lavish palace of Versailles. Because of the brilliance of his court, Louis was called “Le Roi Soleil” [the Sun King] and “Le Grand Monarque.” He was succeeded by his great-grandson, Louis XV.