Molière: Difference between revisions

The fronde which took place during the reign of Louis XIV from 1648-1653 was a series of revolts caused by the parliament over limiting the power of the monarchy.  “ it began in Paris in May 1648, when the sovereign judicial courts of the capital led by the Parlement met in joint session to present twenty-seven reform demands to the king and his government” ([http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=8940647/ Kettering 412)]. The result of the disagreements between the parliament and the nobles spilled over into the provinces and caused civil wars between the government and the nobles who controlled large regions of land. “Although 1661 [was] the beginning of Louis XVI personal rule, France contained anarchic elements that threatened the stability of the political order”                         ([http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=4864232/ Treasure 412)] whom his mother Anne of Austria acted as his agent.  Patronage was very important to the Crown because of the threat of removing the monarchy from power.  These bonds of patronage relied on a relationship of favor and reward meaning in return for supporting one side or the other, the patron would be rewarded.  “The strengths of patronage loyalties and interests are motives for political action…also reinforced by shared political opinions or beliefs, which helped to forge long-lasting patron-client relationships during the fronde"([http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=8940647/ Kettering 432)].

Treasure, Geoffrey. “The FRONDE, Part I: The Revolt of the Lawyers.” History Today Vol.28 no. 6 (1978): 353-363