In Our Time

Other

BBC Radio 4 LW

Discussion & Talk

Podcasts

Factual: History

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

BBC Radio 4 FM

In Our Time: Louis XIV: The Sun King

Louis XIV: The Sun King

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Louis XIV: The Sun King

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and reign of the French king who built Versailles

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and reign of the French king who built Versailles and took on the personal rule of his kingdom, becoming known as an absolute monarch.

In 1661 the 23 year-old French king Louis the XIV had been on the throne for 18 years when his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin, died. Louis is reported to have said to his ministers, “It is now time that I govern my affairs myself. You will assist me with your counsels when I ask for them [but] I order you to seal no orders except by my command… I order you not to sign anything, not even a passport, without my command, and to render account to me personally each day”

So began the personal rule of Louis XIV, which lasted a further 54 years until his death in 1715. From his newly-built palace at Versailles, Louis was able to project an image of himself as the centre of gravity around which all of France revolved: it’s no accident that he became known as the Sun King. He centralized power to the extent he was able to say ‘L’etat c’est moi’: I am the state. Under his rule France became the leading diplomatic, military and cultural power in Europe.

With

Catriona Seth 
Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature at the University of Oxford

Guy Rowlands 
Professor of Early Modern History at the University of St Andrews

and

Penny Roberts
Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Warwick

Producer: Luke Mulhall

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In Our Time

Louis XIV: The Sun King

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4