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Louis XIV: The World's Longest Reigning Monarch | 1715: The Sun King is Dead | Real Royalty

Real Royalty・33 minutes read

Louis XIV orchestrated his death with grandeur, facing death in 1715 as his body was desecrated during the French Revolution, shockingly ending up in a mass grave. His reign, marked by control over the nobility and a lavish lifestyle at Versailles, faced challenges leading to his twilight years and succession by Louis XV.

Insights

  • Louis XIV orchestrated his death meticulously to leave a lasting mark in history, ensuring a grand finale to his public life, facing death with the same grandeur he displayed throughout his reign.
  • During the French Revolution, the desecration of royal tombs led to the exhumation of the Bourbons, including Louis XIV, whose well-preserved body in a large wooden coffin shocked revolutionaries and was hastily thrown into a mass grave, marking a significant shift in the treatment of the monarchy and its symbols.

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Recent questions

  • How did Louis XIV orchestrate his death?

    Louis XIV meticulously orchestrated his death to leave a lasting mark in history, ensuring a grand finale to his public life. He faced death with the same grandeur he displayed throughout his reign, carefully planning his final moments to make a significant impact. This attention to detail and desire for a memorable exit showcases his dedication to maintaining his image and legacy even in death.

  • What challenges did Louis XIV face during his reign?

    Louis XIV's reign, lasting 72 years, faced challenges like the loss of his descendants, financial crises, and public discontent, leading to his twilight years. Despite his long and powerful rule, the king encountered various obstacles that tested his leadership and ability to maintain control over his kingdom. These challenges ultimately shaped the later years of his reign and influenced the decisions he made.

  • How did Louis XIV's declining health impact his rule?

    Louis XIV's declining health had a significant impact on his rule, as his illness marked the beginning of his final days. The king's deteriorating health led to a countdown to his death, affecting his ability to govern effectively and maintain control over his kingdom. As his health worsened, Louis XIV faced challenges in managing his affairs and ensuring stability within his realm, ultimately shaping the end of his reign.

  • What was Louis XIV's succession plan?

    Louis XIV's succession plan involved his great-grandson, Louis XV, due to the decimation of the generations in between. The king's careful consideration of his successor and the line of succession reflects his desire to ensure the continuity of his rule and the stability of the monarchy. By selecting his great-grandson as the heir to the throne, Louis XIV aimed to secure the future of the French monarchy and maintain the legacy he had built during his reign.

  • How did Louis XIV's death impact the French monarchy?

    After Louis XIV's death, political turmoil ensued, with the Duke of Orleans swiftly taking control of the regency. The passing of the king marked a period of uncertainty and transition within the French monarchy, as power dynamics shifted and new leaders emerged. The Duke of Orleans' swift assumption of the regency highlighted the immediate impact of Louis XIV's death on the political landscape of France, setting the stage for changes in governance and the future of the kingdom.

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Summary

00:00

Louis XIV: Grandeur, Decline, and Legacy

  • The royal necropolis in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, a few kilometers north of Paris, is where French kings, including Louis XIV, were buried.
  • During the French Revolution, royal tombs were desecrated, leading to the exhumation of the Bourbons from October 12 to October 28, 1793.
  • Louis XIV's well-preserved body, found in a large wooden coffin, shocked the revolutionaries and was quickly thrown into a mass grave.
  • Louis XIV passed away on September 1, 1715, facing death with the same grandeur he displayed throughout his reign.
  • Louis XIV meticulously orchestrated his death to leave a lasting mark in history, ensuring a grand finale to his public life.
  • The king's decline began at the Chateau de Marly, where he enjoyed a more relaxed lifestyle away from Versailles' strict protocol.
  • The 10th of August marked the beginning of Louis XIV's last illness, leading to a countdown to his final moments.
  • Louis XIV's intimate circle, including the Marquis de Dangeau and Madame de Maintenon, documented his decline and final days.
  • The aging Louis XIV faced a changing world with the Enlightenment era emerging, feeling isolated and out of touch with the times.
  • Louis XIV's reign, lasting 72 years, faced challenges like the loss of his descendants, financial crises, and public discontent, leading to his twilight years.

20:50

Louis XIV: Legacy and Turmoil of Succession

  • Louis XIV established a system to maintain control over the nobility, using the strategy of divide and rule.
  • Versailles was designed to showcase the king's life, with courtiers living there and nobility from various regions attending parties.
  • The king's daily routine was public, including ceremonies, meals, and walks in the gardens.
  • Louis XIV underwent numerous bleedings and purging treatments, which caused him immense suffering.
  • The king's health deteriorated rapidly, leading to a diagnosis of gangrene, which was considered fatal at the time.
  • Doctors considered amputation, but it was deemed too late to save the king.
  • Louis XIV received the last rites before his death, displaying a strong faith and acceptance of his fate.
  • The king's succession plan involved his great-grandson, Louis XV, due to the decimation of the generations in between.
  • Louis XIV's will caused controversy by favoring his illegitimate sons and removing the Duke of Orleans from the regency.
  • After Louis XIV's death, political turmoil ensued, with the Duke of Orleans swiftly taking control of the regency.

40:59

French Monarchy's Ternary Fission Funeral Tradition

  • French monarchy tradition of ternary fission involved honoring the king's remains in three tombs: body in Sandini, heart in San Luis de Jesus Church, and entrails at Notre Dame in Paris.
  • Louis XIV's body was embalmed due to damage, placed in a double coffin of oak and lead, and disappeared after being immediately interred.
  • Formerly, wax effigies of kings were displayed, but Louis XIII ended this practice, opting for no effigies.
  • The king's body was moved in three pieces on a podium, with a golden sheet, heart, and entrails placed accordingly, followed by a week-long procession of state ambassadors and clergymen.
  • Louis XIV's funeral procession from Versailles to Sandini was a grand affair, with hundreds of people escorting the coffin, including officers, chaplains, and a series of carriages with princes.
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