Louis XIV of France. Some peasants were draftees in Louis's army and navy. The monarch soon decided that it was time to start expanding. The things that Louis XIV did throughout his reign over France used up much of Franceà ¡à ¯s wealth. Under rule of Louis XIV, France had the largest population and the greatest army, making it the most powerful country in Europe. He didn't care for politics, but Louis XIV left behind artistic treasures. Louis XIV had already given her pensions and gifts of money in appreciation for her care of his children, and in February of the next year he conferred upon her the title marquise de Maintenon. Louis required greater nobles stay mostly at the court with threat of punishment. Most of the peasants were beggars who spent their life on the streets hardly ever receiving food. Portrait of Louis XIV. Louis XIV's France was emblematic of the age of absolutism in Europe. Louis XIV (1638–1715), known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who ruled as King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. Colbert also had no problem with using peasants to do road work. How Louis XIV Controlled the Nobility. Aided by politicians such as Jean-Baptiste Colbert, and more especially, Jules Mazarin, Louis stamped his rule on his kingdom. The thing he did that hurt the most was building his palace and capitol at Versailles. The peasants had very little food and were near starved during the reign of Lois XIV. Shortly after, France experienced a bitter civil war named “La Fronde,” or “the sling,” for the weapon the … Louis XIV (1638-1715) was king of France from 1643 to 1715. His reign of seventy-two years and 110 days is the longest of any monarch of a … Louis XIV, also popularly known as the Sun King (5 September 1638–1 September 1715) was the King of France and King of Navarre from 14 May 1643 until his death. His reign is also associated with the greatest age of French culture and art. Then, in 1642, Louis XIV became the king of France at the very tender age of four (with a 72 year reign, he is the longest known monarch of European history). Louis XIV by Hyacinthe Rigaud (1701). Culture Louis XIV: What France's Sun King did for art. He had wanted the people in offices to be capable but he still wanted them to rely on him. This was the longest recorded rule of any European monarch.He is often seen as the typical example of absolutism.He was the older of two brothers the other being Philippe. Louis XIV (Louis Dieudonné; 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil), was King of France from 14 May 1643 until his death in 1715. Louis XIV, King of France, in 1661. He gave them offices and fancy titles but little power. 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