Louis XIV
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Louis XIV (1638-1715), also known as The Sun King or Louis the Great, was the king of France from 1643 to 1715. The third monarch of the Bourbon family, Louis ruled France for 72 years, the longest reign in European history. During his reign, Louis typified the absolute monarchy of the Neoclassical age, established a sumptuous court at Versailles, and fought most of Europe in four wars.
Biography
Early Life
Louis XIV was born to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria at the royal Château Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 5, 1638 and was christened Louis Dieudonné ("gift of God"}. He succeeded his father on the throne at the age of four on May, 14 1643. His mother served as a regent, ruling France in in his place with the assistance of Jules Cardinal Mazarin, who was formerly chief minister and tutor of five-year-old Louis.