Martha's HIST04b - Part II: Absolutism and Monarchy

`ABSOLUTISM AND MONARCHY`

A BROAD BRUSH

"Absolutism in the Seventeenth Century": Absolutism: political situation in which a monarch controls all aspects of government with no checks or balances. Differing political systems within France and England led to acceptance of absolutism in France and failure in England. System introduced in England by James I and Charles I unsuccessfully. In France, Louis XIV took absolutism to extremes, claiming to be servant of God and dissolving France's only general assembly.[Takako] No real commentary on the event but offers a good link.
The Age of Absolutism: "The political and cultural history of France from 1498 to 1661 can be divided into three major phases. The first phase looked to Italy as a land ripe for conquest and as an inspiration for France's own Rennaisance. The second saw the realm convulsed by eight civil wars. In the third phase the last rebellion of the feudal nobility was suppressed, the framework and mechanisms of absolute monarchy were in place, and only the arrival of Louis XIV was needed to complete the scene. "

WESTERN EUROPE AND FRANCE

Absolutism in France: Absolutism, in general and in particular, was symbolized by Louis XIV (1638-1715) the "Sun King." A flourishing of French culture punctuated Louis's reign. His excesses, grandeur and grasp defined the era, and overawed his contemporaries. Good grasp of subject, worthwhile contextual background visit. Simplistic opening page belies the site's clarity and detail.
Accounts of Louis XIV [Contemporary]: I particularly like Saint-Simon's Portrait of Louis XIV. For example, "Louis XIV's vanity was without limit or restraint; it colored everything and convinced him that no one even approached him in military talents, in plans and enterprises, in government."
Chateau of Versailles: Visit the home of King Louis XIV, the famed Sun King. Beautiful site with links to the Museum of French History. Find a typical "Day with the Sun King" under the heading "Past and present life." Whatever you do, don't miss the 360 degree panoramic views of The Court of the Château, The Hall of Mirrors, and The King'sChamber. Downloads can be lengthy depending on your system capabilities.
France. Welcome to Le Poulet Gauche: "A guide to the history, culture, and daily life of 16th century France." Connect to the The Wars of Religion links for indepth coverage of the wars of the 16th century including the first seven wars, The War of the Three Henries, and The Wars of the League. "The religious wars began with overt hostilities in 1562 and lasted until the Edict of Nantes in 1598. It was warfare that devastated a generation...Although religion was certainly the basis for the conflict, it was much more than a confessional dispute." Well researched site with hours worth of historical material.
A Day with the Sun King: Spend a day with Louis. If you click to all the opportunities, you will KNOW the life and times of the court. And at the end, the Did You Know That?: (with a few examples of that site) *In the early days of Versailles, fountain guards were ordered to whistle when Louis XIV approached, so that the fountains could be fully turned on. *Louis XV ordered mechanical tables for the dining rooms in the Petit Trianon. They were designed to rise, completely set and served, from the kitchens below. * A secret passage (still partly extant) ran from the queen's private cabinets to those of the king. It enabled Marie-Antoinette to escape revolutionary rioters in October 1789.
Louis XIV - The Ring: Web ring covering the Time and life of. "His legacy is somewhat unusual. Some historians believe that Louis' wars and heavy taxation policies led eventually to the outbreak of the French Revolution. He repeatedly tried to move France's eastern boundary to the Rhine river. Two hundred and fifty years after Louis XIV, a leader would emerge in Germany who would claim all that he was trying to do was to reverse the outcome of the wars fought between Louis XIV's France and the Germans." Personal life, internal and foreign policy, assessment.
Louis XIV, The Great King of France, 1638-1715: The Paintings
Louis XIV: The Sun King: Brief, tight summary of Louis and his times. "Though praised within his country, outside of France Louis had a vicious reputation. He allowed his armies to commit atrocities, and countries were reduced to slave states. Although credited with bringing France to the status it achieved, his policies concerning religion, his isolation of the throne at Versailles and his last will combined to lead to the downfall of the monarchy."
Marie Antoinette: A Paragon Among Queens: A biography and "information, as to the happenings of others during the period which affected Marie Antoinette's life and the fall of the monarchy." Marie: A daughter of the house of Hapsburg, Archdutchess of Austria, Queen of France. Daughter of Maria Theresa, Empress. Queen of Austria and Hungry & Francis 1 Holy Roman Emperor.
Versailles: "The economic prosperity that she(France) enjoyed during the XVIIIth century and the renown of French Art throughout the world originated then with the creation of Versailles." Take a virtual tour through the the Château, the Gardens, the Park of Trianon, or anywhere on the palace grounds. The garden is an magnificent place, full of beautiful statues. A surfer fond of sculpture could get lost for hours here. There is an in-depth history describing the creation of palace and the incredible art within.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Catherine the Great: Born Sophia August Frederika in 1729 in a small principality in Germany, Catherine the Great married the future Tsar Peter III and ascended to the throne when her husband was deposed in 1762. Her long reign was marked by dramatic social/imperialistic progress that completed Russia's change into a modern nation-state. Follow the story of a larger than life person written by a true admirer.
Empress Ekaterina II: Russia in the Period of "Enlightened Absolutism": Although certain aspects of her rule remain controversial, Empress Ekaterina II (Catherine the Great) remains one of history's outstanding female players. A good discussion of the political quagmire that is Russia and how Catherine's poliices demonstrated some success in coping by winning the sympathy of her subjects. Although attempts were made to introduce 'enlightened' concepts, most did not permeate into Russian culture. However, the best of the enlightenment was passed onto subequent generations of the Russian intelligensia.
The Habsburg Dynasty - History: Short history on how the Habsburgs got control of Austria, imposed Catholicism after the counter-reformation resulting in the 30 years' war... all the way to how it became a modern state during the reign of Maria Theresa. Another site - Hungary and the Limits of Habsburg Authority - analyzes the politicies implemented by the Habsburgs contributing to their success.
Peter I - the Great: Brief biography of Russia's first emperor highlighting his contributions towards the transformation of Russia from lethargy into a modern power in Europe. And to HERE.

ENGLAND: REVOLUTION, CIVIL WAR, RESTORATION, GLORIOUS REVOLUTION

The Glorious Revolution of 1688: England's Glorious Revolution of 1688 bloodlessly supplanted the converted Catholic King James II with his Protestant son-in-law William of Orange. Once and for all defined England as a citadel of Protestantism. Site contextually examines the chronology and biographies of the events and players that made this a world-shaking event.
Castles and the Civil War: History of castles in Wales including their role in the English Civil War, information on their builders and owners. Also current day information such as location and photographs.
English Civil War: The BBC Page.
English Civil War Resource Core: History, tactics, battles, people.
English Civil War Society: "When civil war erupted in England in 1642, it quickly involved every level of society throughout the British Isles. On one side the King; and his supporters fought for traditional government in Church and State. On the other, the supporters of Parliament sought radical changes in religion and economic policy, and a greater share of power at the national level."
The Georgian Age - 1714-1830: Focus on culture and society in England, including royalty. Also a very useful timeline of the Georgian Age through the French Revolution, 1714 - 1830. "What is the Georgian Age? The first four Georges were on the English throne from 1714 to 1830, but we don't regard the latter period as strictly Georgian. A case can be made that the Georgian Age ended with the French Revolution, which changed the whole mood of the times, and that is the definition I use here. England in the Georgian age was the vibrant center of the agricultural and industrial revolutions, which set the stage for the immense wealth and power of Britain in the nineteenth century."
History English Seventeenth Century: Good records of the Parish of Rowner near Portsmouth. Records of inhabitants: history of the Brunes, owners of the Manor, Parish register, wills and inventory of possesions, muster lists, their calendar and holidays, and population demographics. Description of lands: the Grange farm, a survey of Henry Brune's lands, and maps of the area. Financial records: the mortgage of a farm, land rents, coinage, and prices of goods. Also activity at Portsmouth Harbor, military costs and equipment, and Portsmouth's role in the English Civil War. Illustrated by reenactors.
17TH Cen Reenacting and Living History Resources: Declarations, reports, and propaganda from the different sides participating in the English Civil War and the Thirty Years' War. Ballads for civilians, royalists, and the restoration. Links to reenactors, sites on the new world, scholarly articles on the plague in England from 1539 to 1640, Oliver Cromwell and a database of sixteenth century string music.
1689: The English Bill of Rights: Foundation for a constitutional monarchy. "Precursor to the American Bill of Rights, sets out strict limits on the Royal Family's legal prerogatives such as a prohibition against arbitrary suspension of Parliament's laws. More importantly, it limited the right to raise money through taxation to Parliament."