History of France, from the earliest times to the present day

Front matter

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Preface

,No country affords materials more suitable for an interestmg and instructive history, than France. Situated in the centre of Europe, and intimately connected in its political relations with all the great movements in the civilized world, its importance and influence have been felt and acknowledged in every age of modern history. Its alternate close connection or fierce rivalry with England, the country to which our republic owes its existence, renders the story of its various fortunes particularly appropriate for the study of American youth ; and the variety and imposing character of the events which it offers to their notice, cannot fail to render it as interesting as it is important.

In preparing the present volume, the author has endeavoured to give the history as lively and striking a character as was consistent with fidelity of delineation ; and to fix the attention of the student by such biographical details as his limited space would allow. It is hoped that the reader will feel a degree of personal interest in the leading personages, and will retain a distinct recollection of their characters and dispositions, and of. the effect which they respectively produced on the events of their time.

The whole narrative has been comprised in so short a space, that it may properly find a place in our common seminaries of learning as a part of the historical course, without employing too much of the time devoted to school instruction. The space devoted to the career of Napoleon, has been limited to a few pages, as that period is considered of sufficient importance to claim, a separate volume, which is now in press.

The work is submitted to the public with diffidence, but not without hope that it will be deemed worthy of a place among American School Classics.

1*

NAMES OF ANCIENT PEOPLE

MENTIONED IN THIS WORK.

The Allobroges, a people of Savoy.

The ^Edui, people of Burgundy.

The Arverni, people of Auvergne.

m A ^ people inhabiting the country between

The Allemanni, ^ ^^^ ^^-^^ the Rhine, and the Danube.

The Albigenses, people of Languedoc : the Protestants.

The Alani, a people of Sarmatia or Tartary.

rp -p 5 ^ people inhabiting Bourbonnais and part

■^"^ ^"' I of Auvergne.

The Belgje, . a people between the Rhine and the Oise.

rr, n> S aucieut inhabitants of the greater part of

The Celts, | ^^^^^

rr, -or ^ the United tribes from which France took

The Franks, | j^^^ ^^^^^

The Gauls, inhabitants of Gaul, ancient France.

C a fierce people of Sarmatia who invaded

The Huns, ■< the Roman empire and established

( Hungary.

The Helvetians, the Swiss.

The Ostrogoths, the Eastern Goths.

The Sequani, a people inhabiting Franche-Comte.

The Vandals, a people on the shores of the Baltic.

The Visigoths, v . the Western Goths.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Coronation of Pepin 37

Charlemagne 45

Departure of the Crusaders for the Holy Land 59

Death of Prince Arthur 77

Death of St. Louis 92

Arrival of the English Fleet to the Kelief of Hennebon 107

King John and his son at the Battle of Poictiers 121

Henry V. at the Battle of Azincour 161

Cardinal Balue in an Iron Cage 164

Death of the Chevalier Bayard 171

Francis 1 176

Assassination of Henry III 184

Henry IV 187

Louis XIV 199

Battle of Marengo 211

Retreat from Moscow 221

Massacre on the Boulevards ^ 242

Terrible Scene in the Chamber of Deputies 245

Rome 250

The French entering Rome 253

Chapter I

Gaul. — By whom peopled. — Druids. — Government. — The Ganls invade Italy. — ^The AUobroges. — Foundation of Narbonne. — Romans' excuse for invading Gaul. — CsDsar'slnvasion. — ^The Goths. — Caesar drives the Germans out of Gaul. — Reason of Gaul being conquered — Caesar returns to Rome Page 19

Chapter II

Roman dominion in Gaul. — Human sacrifices forbidden. — ^Temple erected to Caesar. — The Druids meet in forests to follow their own worship ; form schemes of revolt. — Defeat of Vindex. — Septimus Severus. — The Franks. — ^The Alleraanni.— Invasion of Rhodogast — ^The Vandals. — ^The Alani 25

Chapter III

The Franks. — ^The Huns. — ^The Merovingian race. — ^Tartar invasion. — Attila. — Alaric and Theodoric. — Siege of Orleans. — Battle of Chalons 29

Chapter IV

Clovis ; becomes a Christian. — ^The Visigoths. — Clovis. defeats and slays Alaric— Salic law. — Feudal system. — ^Trial by Jury. — Death of Clovis. — Clotaire. — Maires du palais. — Pepin d'Heristal. — Charles Martel. — Saracens. — Childeric. — End of the Merovingian race 31

Chapter V

Pepin le Bref, and Charlemagne founder of the Carlovingian race. — Defeats the Huns. — Battle of Roncesvalles. — Death of Roland. — Luxury of the nobles. — Death of Charlemagne 36

Chapter VI

Louis the Debonnaire ; becomes a prisoner; intrigues of his wife. — ^Death of Louis. — Battle of Fontenay. — Saracens attack Gaul. — ^The North men or Normans ravage the coasts ; attack Paris. — Eudes. — Courage of twelve warriors. Assault on the capital. — Dishonourable treaty. — Death of Charles the Gross 40

Chapter VII

Eudes, count of Paris, and Charles the Simple. — ^The nobles take titles. — Leodes, or freemen. — Serfs. — Rollo, son of the King of Denmark, takes Rouen : is defeated at Chartres. — Receives Neustria as a dowry with his wife. — Becomes a Christian, and takes the name of Robert. — Will not kneel to the king. — Was father of William the Conqueror 43

CHAPTER VIIL

Louis d'Outremer, and Lothaire. — Hugo, father of the Capetian dynasty, — Lothaire crowT'id. — Capets, why so called. — War between Lothaire and Otho, emperor of Germany. — Invades Aix-la-Chapelle. — Louis the Faineant, is thought to have died by poison 47

Chapter IX

rhe Capets. — ^Extent of the empire under Charlemagne. — ^Assembly of the States. — Charles of Lorraine. — ^The race of Charlemagne becomes extinct. — Hugh Capet founds a new dynasty 49

CONTENTS.

Chapter X

Robert I. — ^His charity ; death. — ^His son Henry is obhged to flee ; takes refuge in Normandy. — Robert le Diable ; he goes on a pilgrimage. — ^The mother of William the Conqueror. — William d'Arques. — War between William of Normandy and the king of France. — Battle of Mortemart. — Death of Henry 50

Chapter XI

William of Normandy. — ^Battle of Hastings. — Conquest of England. — ^Feudal law in England. — Kingdom divided among the Normans. — Robert of Normandy rebels against his father. — ^Fights with him. — Death of William. — Bertrade, the king's mistress : her influence over the monarch. — ^The crusade, causes of it. — Numbers of the crusaders. — Peter the Hermit. — Godfrey of Bouillon. — Siege of Jerusalem. — Its capture. — Knights-Templars. — Knights of St. John. — Suppression of the Templars.— Death of Philip 1 52

Chapter XII

Louis le Gros, and Louis VIT. — Battle of Tinchebray. — William Clito. — ^Henry of England refuses to pay homage for Normandy. — Empress Matilda. — The oriflamme displayed. — Louis le Jeune. — ^Thibault earl of Champagne. — Cathedral of Vitry burnt. — Another crusade. — Arrive in Asia. — Battle on the Maeander. — The French fall into an ambuscade. — Arrive at Antioch. — Louis jealous of his queen. — Returns to France 61

CHAPTER XIIL

Failure of the crusade. — Comte de Dreux.— The king of England claims Toulouse — Louis nearly taken prisoner. — Peace between France and England. — Henry invades France. — A peace advantageous to England. — Another crusade. — Death of Louis le Jeune 67

Chapter XIV

Philip II. — Banishes jugglers and buffoons from court. — ^The Cotteraux, Brabancons, Routiers, Tavardins. — New war with England. — Interview at Gisors. — Insolence of the English. — Richard Coeur de Lion. — ^His character. — Sets out on a crusade. — Leopold duke of Austria. — Fall of Acre. — Richard insults Leopold. — Philip returns to France. — Richard's success in Asia. — Makes peace with Saladin. — Sets out for England. — Is taken prisoner and confined by Leopold. — Is discovered and ransomed. — Philip invades Normandy. — Assassination at the castle of Evreux. — The town burnt. — John of England. — Philip sends his wife to a convent. — France laid under an interdict. — Murder of Arthur, nephew of John of England.— England laid imder an interdict. — Philip prepares to invade England. — Is prevented. — France invaded. — Battle of Bouvines. — Captives led in procession through Paris. — The Albigenses. — John signs Mafrna Charta. — ^The French invade England. — Peace with England. — Death of Philip 70

Chapter XV

Louis Vin. — Henry of England demands the provinces. — The Gascons favourable to the English. — Siege of Avignon : its fortifications dismantled. — ^Three hundred houses burnt — Louis attacked by a fever. — Dies at Montpensier. — Queen Blanche is regent 86

Chapter XVI

Louis IX., saint Louis. — Raymond of Toulouse binds himself to abandon the Albi genses. — ^Thibault count of Champagne : sells his territories to the crown.— In suited by Robert of Artois. — Blanche's jealousy. — Louis vows to go on a crusade — Obtains money from the Church. — ^Henry III. of England forbids him to go. — Louis sets off accompanied by his queen.— Lands at Cyprus.— Takes Damietta —

CONTENTS. 51

Defeated at Massoura. — ^Disease in the army. — Louis taken pnsoner. — ^The amouiit of his ransom. — Insurrection among the Turks ; they kill the sultan. — Louis refuses to change his religion. — Accouchement of the queen, — Louis abandons the crusade i 87

Chapter XVII

Crusade against Tunis ; peace with England. — Good government of Louis: sails for Tunis. — Fleet dispersed. — Lands in Africa. — A contagious disease carries otF Louis' son. — Louis attacked by it. — Falls a victim. — Edward, prince of Wah^s. goes to attack Acre ; is wounded ; affectionate conduct of his wife Eleanor. . i«4

Chapter XVIII

Philip III., the Bold. — Death of his queen Isabel. — ^Her four sons — Pierre de la Brosse, chamberlajp. — Prejudices the king against his wife. — Prince Louis poisoned. — La Brosse accuses the queen. — She is declared innocent. — Edward of England claims the English territories in France. — French in Sicily. — Sicilian vespers. — Pedro of Arragon challenges Charles of Anjou. — Pedro avoids the duel. — Charles taken prisoner. — Philip invades Catalonia and besieges Genoa. Dies at Perpignan 96

Chapter XIX

Philip IV., the Fair. — Summons Edward of England to appear before the Frci^ch parliament. — Edward makes a compromise. — Campaign in Flanders against ihe allied Flemish and EngUsh. — Peace made. — Alliance between England and France. — ^The Pope insulted and beaten. — Persecution and abolition of the Knights-Templars. — Several of them burnt. — Expressions of Jacques de Molay, the grand master. — Death of Philip y8

Chapter XX

Louis X., Philip V., and Charles IV. — Accusation of Enguerrand de Marigny — ^Insults the princes. — Marigny and his wife charged with sorcery. — Marigny hanged. — Margaret, wife of Louis, is strangled. — Louis marries the daughter of the M.^g of Hungary. — Death of Louis. — Philip V. succeeds. — Called the Long. — ^Thinks of a crusade. — Persecution of the Jews. — Jews accused of poisoning the wells — Jews at Vitry. — ^The Pastoureaux. — Death of Philip. — Accession of Charles the Fair. — Misunderstanding between England and France. — ^The prince of Wales performs homage to Charles. — Death of Charles, at Vincennes 101

^ "^ CHAPTER XXL

Philip VI. of Valois. — Meeting of the French and English kings at Amiens. — Humiliation of Edward. — Robert, count d'Artois, flees to England. — Edward resolves on a war with France. — Battle between the French and English fleets. — Edward lands in France. — Besieges Tournay and challenges Philip. — An English army lands at La Hogue. — Caen taken. — The English menace Paris. — Retire towards Flanders. — Cross the Somme. — Are followed by the French. — Edward the Black Prince. — Battle of Cressy. — Courage of the earl of Alencon. — John, king of Bohemia. — Meeting of Edward and the prince of Wales after the battle 104

Chapter XXII

Siege of Calais. — ^Defeat of the Scotch and capture of their king. — Philip marches to relieve Calais. — Is unable to do it. — Challenges Edward. — Calais surrenders to the English. — Cruelty of Edward. — Magnanimity of Eustache de St. Pierre. — Merciful intercession of the English queen Philippa. — Numbers of English establish themselves in Calais, which becomes an English colony. — ^Death of PhiUp J14

XU CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIII

John II., called the Good. — Arrests Rodolph de Brienne. — ^Henry Plantagenet m« vades Bretagne. — Charles the Bad. — Marries John's daughter. — Assassinates Charles de la Cerda. — ^Three queens of France. — Edward the Black Prince marches towards Toulouse. — Edward marches to St. Omers. — Battle of Poictiers. — The French attack ; are beaten. — ^The king of France taken prisoner.— Edward behaves courteously to him. — ^Takes him to England — ^Manner of their passing through London , -. 117

Chapter XXIV

France during the captivity of John. — Conduct of the French nobles. — ^Troubles at Paris.— Embarrassment of the Dauphin.— Siege of Rennes.— Treachery of William of Granville at Evreux. — Escape of Charles of Navarre from the castle of Creve-Cceur. — Rescue of the duchess of Orleans and three hundred ladies a Meaux. — ^The Jacquerie subjected. — Paris invested^The king of Navarre declares war against France. — ^Treachery of the provost. — Proposed ransom for John. — ^The States refuse the conditions. — ^Edward renews the war. — Siege ol Rheims. — Peace concluded. — John set at liberty on leaving hostages for the payment of his ransom. — ^The hostages escape.— Memorable words of John. — He resigns himself into the hands of the Enghsh. — Dies in the palace called the Savoy, at London 123

Chapter XXV

Charles V., the Wise.— Bertrand du Guesclin.— Battle between the French party and the Navarrois. — Battle near Auray. — Du Guesclin made prisoner. — ^Termination of hostilities in Bretagne. — Phdip of Orleans gives his property to the State. — Laws against luxury. — ^The Great Companies.— Du Guesclin ransomed. — ^Marches against the Moors in Spain. — Lays contributions on the Pope at Avignon. — Deposes Pedro the Cruel. — Discontent of the Gascons. — Charles commands the prince of Wales to appear in France to answer certain accusations. — The English march towards Paris. — Are attacked at Puyrenon. — Quixotry of an English Imight at the gates of Paris. — ^The war is unfavourable to the English. . 128

Chapter XXVI

Death of Edward the Black Prince. — Capture of Limoges. — Slaughter of the inhabitants. — Bravery of ibur Frenchmen. — Du Guesclin made constable of France. — Noble conditions upon which he accepts the post. — ^Treachery of an Englishman. — The English defeated at Pont- Volant by Du Guesclin. — The English fleet defeated by the Spaniards. — Rochelle surrendered to the French. — Du Guesclin takes Poictiers. — Edward obliged to return to England. — ^The duke of Lancaster's army harassed by Du Guesclin. — Death of Du Guesclin at the moment of victory. — Surrender of Chateau-Neuf-du-Randon. — Charles of Navarre accused of poisoning the king. — Charles is burnt by accident. — Death of king Charles of France 135

Chapter XXVII

Charles VI. — ^The duke of Anjou regent. — Seizes the treasures of the late king. —

Two Popes. — An English army enters France, commanded by Buckingham

Charles VI. and Richard II. — Revolt in Flanders. — The French and English interfere. — Battle of Rosebecque. — Mutiny at Paris. — ^The Maillotins. — The French victorious in Flanders. — ^The English march against them. — ^Take Dunkirk. — Siege of Ypres. — Powerful French army march against them. — Siege of Ypres raised. — The English forced to evacuate Flanders. — France ravaged by the Free Companies. — GeofFroy Tete-Noire. — Siege of Ventadour. — Preparations for invad ing England. — ^The fleet destroyed by a tempest. — Oliver de Chsson. — ^Thrown into prison 140

CONTENTS.

Chapter XXVIII

Insanity of Charles VI. — ^The dukes of Burgundy and Berry excluded from power. — Attempted assassination of Ciisson. — The king marches for Bretagne. — Description of the cavalcade. — A stranger endeavours to stop the king on the road — Extraordinary accident. — The king loses his senses. — Is convalescent, but again driven mad by a terrible acci(^ent at a ball. — Dispute about the regency. — ^The duke of Burgundy named. — Clisson accused of peculation.^War between Clisson and the duke of Bretagne. — Cruel proposal of the countess of Penthievre. — Accident which befell her in consequence. — Death of Clisson. — Economy of the duke of Burgundy. — David, Idng of Scotland, a prisoner to the English. — The French go to assist the Scots. — Cannot agree with them. — A French army march to protect Hungary against the Turks. — Siege of Nicopolis. — Defeat of the French and Hungarians. — ^The Turks massacre their prisoners. — Ransom paid to the Turks. — ^The houses of York and Lancaster in England 146

Chapter XXIX

Factions of Orleans and Burgundy. — Queen Isabella joins the Orleans party. — A commission of regency obtained in favour of Orleans. — Civil war between the dukes. — They are excluded from any share in the government. — Death of Burgundy, much in debt. — Devices of the houses of Orleans and Burgimdy. — Reconciliation. — Assassination of Orleans. — John, duke of Burgundy, quits Pans. — The Orleans party take arms. — ^The duke of Burgundy judged gudty of treason. — He marches upon Paris. — ^The English march to assist the Orleanists. — Charles becomes sane.— The Orleans party enter Paris. — ^The queen breaks into the Dauphin's apartment. — The duke of Burgundy advances on Paris, but is abandoned by the Dauphin, and retires.— The king marches against Burgundy, and the duke submits. — Succession of Henry V. to the throne of England. — Lands in Normandy. — Battle of Azincourt. — Armagnac constable of France. — Two parliaments in France. — Assassination of the duke of Burgundy on the bridge at Montereau. — The English take Rouen. — Peace with England. — Henry V. of England marries the French prmcess Catherine. — ^Triumphal entry of Henry into Paris. — His death. — The duke of Bedford named regent of France. — Death of Charles VI.

Chapter XXX

Charles VII. — His character. — Siege of Orleans. — Joan of Arc — ^The English beaten. — Charles crowned at Rheims. — Joan of Arc asks permission to retire. — It is refused. — She is taken by the English and shamefully burnt at Rouen. — The English lose all their possessions in France except Calais. — Indocility of young Louis. —Death of Charles 159

Chapter XXXI

Louis XI. — ^His character. — Charles the Bold. — Battle between the leaguers and the king's forces. — Interview between the king and Charles the Bold. — Charles keeps Louis prisoner. — Siege of Beauvais. — Jeanne Hachette. — Tristan I'Hermite, grand provost, and La Balue. — ^The latter confined in an iron ca^e — Louis retires to the castle at Tours.— Fortifies it— Puts to death the duke of Nemours. — His idea of the necessity of learning Latin. — Battle of Granson. — Defeat and death of Charles the Bold. — Louis seizes on Burgundy and unites it to the crown. —England still torn by the factions of the Red and White Roses. — Useful estab- /Ishments under Louis. — His death 160

CHAPTER XXXIL

Charles VIII. — His age at his accession. — Orleans aspires to the government. — Civil war. — Orleans defeated «nd made prisoner. — ^His three years in captivity.— ^Ipr-

XIV CONTENTS.

riage of Charles with Anne of Bretagne, who was attached to the duke of Orleans. — Charles marches against Naples. — Is obliged to retreat. — Battle of Fornoixe. — ^The French driven out of Naples. — Death of Charles VIII. — Events during his reign. — Is succeeded by the duke of Orleans 167

Chapter XXXIII

Louis XII. — Reassures his adversaries. — Louis obtains a divorce frcan nis first wife and marries the queen dowager, who thus becomes a second time queen of France. — Louis invades Italy. — Takes Milan and Genoa. — ^The celebrated Bayard. — ^The Spaniards assist the French. — They quarrel, and Spain obtains Naples. — ^The French retire to their own country. — ^The Swiss enter France. — Henry VIII. of England invades her at the same time. — Peace between England and France. — Louis much esteemed by the French. — Is called the Father of his people 169

Chapter XXXIV

Francis I. — His character. — Battle of the Giants. — Death of Bayard. — Francis taken prisoner. — " Tout est perdu hors Vhonneur." — Refuses his liberty on dishonourable terms. — Makes a treaty with Spain and returns to France. — A new war. — Francis unsuccessful. — Charles V. invades France. — Montmorency compels him to retire. — France invaded by Charles V. and Henry VIII. — A desultory warfare ; the invading armies retire. — A treaty with Henry VIII. — Interview of Francis and Henry in the field of Golden Cloth. — Charles V. passes through France to quell a revolt in Flanders. — Observation of the court buffoon. — Death of Francis. . 170

Chapter XXXV

Henry II. — ^Troubles in his reign caused by Luther and Calvin. — Meeting and protest of the schismatics, who acquire the name of Protestants. — Admiral de Coligny. — ^Duke de Guise. — ^The Protestants persecuted. — Abdication of the emperor Charles V. — He retires to a monastery. — His son Philip succeeds as king of Spain. — The duke de Guise attacks Calais. — ^It is taken from the English. — Philip of Spain marries Henry's sister.. — Peace made. — Public rejoicings in consequence. — ^Henry is wounded by accident and dies soon after 177

Chapter XXXVI

Francis II., only sixteen years old. — Catherine de Medicis governs, with the assistance of the Guises. — Francis marries the celebrated Mary Stuart. — The Protestants become powerful. — Coligny and Montmorency join them, and thus become obnoxious to the court. — The prince de Conde of the Protestant party. — A plot of the Protestants to seize the Guises. — Conde imprisoned. — Liberated. — Declares himself a Protestant. — Is condemned to death. — Francis dies at the age of seventeen. — Mary Stuart returns to Scotland 178

Chapter XXXVII

Charles IX., only ten years old at his succession. — Conde is pardoned. — ^The king of Navarre named lieutenant-general. — Michel de Lhopital chancellor. — Battle between some Protestants and some Catholics. — Conde and Navarre take the lead of the two parties. — Guise killed at Orleans. — Peace with England. — Death of Montmorency in a battle near St. Denis. — Death of Conde. — ^The Protestants acquire influence. — Marriage between the king's sister and Henry of Navarre. — Attack on Coligny. — Massacre of St. Bartholomew. — Assassination of Coligny.— Memorable answer of the viscount d'Orthe. — Excuse for the massacre. — ^The king fires from the Louvre. — His death. — The beginning of the year changed from Easter to January 179

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter Xxxviii

Henry TIL — ^Was king of Poland. — His depraved morals. — Catherine de Medicis and Protestants. — ^The king of Navarre quits Paris and joins the Protestants. — The Germans invade France ; are paid to retire. — ^The League. — Convocation of the states-general. — The king declares himself chief of the League. — ^The Protestants pursued with vigour. — Proclamation of the king of Navarre (Henry IV.). — Conspiracy against the king. — ^The Barricades. — Henry obliged to flee. — Forced to swear enmity to the Protestants. — States-general. — Revolt at Paris. — Henry joins the king of Navarre. — ^They march against the capital. — Arrive at St. Cloud — Henry III. assassinated 181

Chapter XXXIX

Henry IV. — Is forced to retire tow^ards Dieppe. — Pursued by Guise. — Resumes the offensive, and marches towards Paris. — Battle of Ivry. — Siege of Paris. — Capitulates, and Henry enters hi triumph. — Attempt to assassinate him. — Endeavours to conciliate all parties. — Is forced to adopt the Catholic religion. — Is acknowledged king of France. — Difficulty of obtaining absolution from the Pope. — Penance enjoined. — Importunities of the Protestants. — Edict of Nantes. — Sully named minister. — Henry divorces his wdfe. — Sully tears a promise of marriage from Henry to Henriette d'Entragues. — Retires. — Is recalled. — Henry marries Mary de Medicis. — His domestic character. — Anecdote. — Henry about to take the field against the Germans. — Coronation of the queen. — Assassination of Henry. — Character of Henry. — Sully's administration. — Improvements in the Capital 185

Chapter XL

Louis XIIT., only eight years old at his succession. — Regency of Mary de Medicis. — ^The marshal d'Ancre. — Sully retires from court. — Alliance with Spain by marriage. — Richelieu becomes minister. — Arrest and death of the marshal d'Ancre. — His widow tried and executed for sorcery. — Mary de Medicis excites a civil war against Louis. — Confirmation of the Edict of Nantes. — Richelieu becomes cardinal. — Accommodation between Mary de Medicis and the king. — A new quarrel. — A dispute between the king and his brother the duke of Orleans. — Richelieu in danger of assassination. — Conspiracy of Cinq-mars and de Thou. — Decapitation of Cinq-mars at L^ons. — Richelieu carried to court in a litter. — Building of the Palais- Royal.— Richelieu gives the Palais-Royal to the king. — ' His death. — Improvements under Richelieu. — Death of Mary de Medicis and of Louis XIII it 189

Chapter XLI

Louis XIV., only five years old. — Situation. — Regency. — ^The king's will annulled. — Cardinal Mazarin named minister. — The Spaniards invade France. — Battle of Rocroy. — The Spanish Netherlands obtain their independence. — The peace of Munster. — The Frondeurs and the Mazarins. — ^The regent leaves Paris. — A compromise. — Mazarin is obliged to retire. — Marches with an army against Paris. — A battle in the faubourg St. Antoine. — Mazarin dismissed, and Paris becomes tranquil. — The Spaniards take Dunkirk and Gravelines. — ^Treaty between England and France. — Dunkirk retaken. — Peace between France and Spain. — Louis marries the king of Spain's daughter. — Death of Mazarin. — Colbert becomes minister. — Marseilles and Dunkirk declared free ports. — ^The streets of Paris first paved and lighted. — Racine and Boileau 191

CHAPTER XLIL

Continuation of the reign of Louis XIV. — Death of the king of Spain. — War with Spain. — Battles of marshal Turenne. — ^Fortifications of Vauban. — Peace of Aix-

XVI CONTENTS.

la-Chapelle.— The French march into Holland.— The northern powers assist the Dutch.— England makes a treaty with Holland.— The French continue the war. — Death of Turenne at Salzbach. — Retreat of the French. — Peace between France and Holland.— The French take Strasburg.— Louis increases his navy.— Attacks Algiers. — Bombards Genoa. — The Protestants exposed to fresh persecutions.— Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.— Prosperity of silk manufactory in England caused by the emigrations from France. — Memorable words of Christine of Sweden.— James II. of England dethroned.— Battles of the Boyne and la Hogue.— The peace of Riswick.— The duke of Anjou becomes king of Spain.— Invasion of Italy by Leopold.— Death of James II. — England declares war against France.— Campaigns of the duke of Marlborough.— Villars and Tallard.— Battle of Blenheim.— Taking of Gibraltar.— Battle of Ramilhes.— A famine in France.— Memorable words of Louis.— Battle of Mai plaquet.— Victory gained by Villars over the English at Denain.— Peace concluded.— Louis approaches his end.— Regrets his passion for war.— His death.— The iron mask.— Curious circumstance —Building the palace of Versailles and other improvements in this reign. . . 193

Chapter XLIII

Louis XV., only five years old.— Regency of the duke of Orleans. — Spain and Sweden against France. — Death of Charles XII. — Cessation of the regency. — ^Louis takes the reins of government. — A war in Europe concerning the crown of Poland. — Marie Therese becomes empress. — Wars against her. — The English assist her. — Battle of Dettingen. — ^The Austrians pass the Rhine. — Battle of Fontenoy. — ^The war extends into Italy. — Victories of the French in the Netherlands. — Taking of Bergen-op-Zoom. — Bad state of the French Navy. — War between France and England. — Prussia joins the English. — Battle of Rosbach. — Ministry of Pitt earl of Chatham. — Treaty of Paris by which the English obtain Canada. — Attempt to assassinate Louis.— Expulsion of the Jesuits. — Death of Louis by the small-pox 201

Chapter XLIV

Louis XVI., twenty years old. — Necker called to the finances. — ^War between England and America. — ^The English attack a French vessel. — War between the two countries. — Combat between d'Orvilliers and Keppel. — Siege of Gibraltar. — ^The Americans obtain their independence. — National debt of France. — Calonne supersedes Necker. — A land tax.— Li ts de justice.— Assembly of States-general — Jeu de Paume. — National assembly. — Attack on the Bastile. — National Guard. — Tri-coloured flag. — Louis takes the national cockade. — Attack by the populace on the palace at Versailles. — ^The king brought to Paris by the people. — Scarcity of money. — Assignats. — ^The Federation at the Champ-de-Mars. — Alterations in the ecclesiastical laws. — ^The duke of Orleans and Mirabeau interfere. — Popular opinion overcomes all other influence. — The king and queen escape from Paris. — Their imprudent manner of travelling.^ — ^Are recognised and arrested at Varerines. — Brought back to Paris. — Attack on the Tuileries on the 10th August. — The royal family sent prisoners to the Temple. — ^The foreign powers advance. — France declared a republic^ — Louis XVI. arraigned at the bar of the assembly. — Condemned to death by a majority of five votes. — Santerre goes to the Temple and reads the sentence to the king. — Louis decapitated at the age of 38. — Marie-Antoinette tried, condemned, and executed.— The Dauphin Louis XVII 203