Analysis Of Louis Xiv's Absolutist Reign In France

Introduction
A study of European monarchy can often be distorted by rose-tint due to over-romanticised portrayals or the simple blurring of facts and fiction over time. Therefore, in the endeavour to gain a rigorous understanding of Louis XIV’s absolutist reign in France, the memoirs of the Duc de Saint-Simon provides a unique account of the Sun King’s tenure, one from a detractor’s perspective. His memoirs present an honest and stripped-down account of Louis’ court that does away with romantic fiction and exposes its imperfect rawness. This essay aims to assess the strengths, weaknesses and historical value of the nobleman’s memoirs.
Strengths
The main strength of the document is its balanced narrative. Even though the author is primarily a critic of the sovereign, he was able to acknowledge the talents and successes of King Louis. Saint-Simon remarked that Louis was brilliant at court strategy and personal politics, noting that ‘the secrets of others he kept as religiously as his own’. However, as a member of the old nobility, he was unapologetic in decrying Louis’ character by painting the King as frivolous, vain, cruel and intellectually ‘beneath mediocrity’. Louis is depicted as a King who went to great lengths to control people’s perception of him, deriving pleasure from adulation and praise. The author also expressed his disdain for the new court culture Louis XIV ushered in. This derision can be seen through his criticisms of Louis’ ministerial appointments and of Versailles.
This can be seen through his vicious attacks on the King’s ministers whom he ridicules as being unintelligent and