Politics and power, 1600–1789

Abstract

In 1678, Jacques Benigne Bossuet (1627–1704), bishop of the city of Meaux in France, preacher and theologian at the court of Louis XIV (ruled 1643–1715), and tutor to the king’s eldest son and heir (the dauphin in French) wrote an instruction book for his royal charge. Titled Politics Drawn from the Very Words of the Holy Scripture , it discussed the nature of royal authority, along with providing practical advice. “Monarchical authority comes from God,” wrote Bossuet. “Royal authority is sacred … religion and conscience demand that we obey the prince. Royal authority is absolute … the prince need render account to no one for what he orders … even if kings fail in their duty, their charge and their ministry must be respected … Princes are gods.” Bossuet was explaining, in terms even a boy could understand, the political theory known as the divine right of kings, which provided an intellectual justification for Louis XIV’s moves to concentrate power in his own hands. The young dauphin Louis did not have to read very carefully, for he was surrounded by signs of royal power. The gigantic palace his father built at Versailles was decorated with paintings showing the king in heroic settings, and with mirrors, wall ornaments, and bas-reliefs decorated with Louis XIV’s personal emblem, the sun, which the king himself described as “the most dazzling and most beautiful image of the monarch.” Versailles was also filled with nobles, church leaders, authors, and artists all fighting for royal favors: living demonstrations of the power of the Sun King.