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Mazarin's Regency Period

Type Event Region Europe Time 1643–1650

After Richelieu's death in 1643, the Italian-born Cardinal Jules Mazarin succeeded him as chief minister, jointly assisting the young Louis XIV with …

Timeline

  1. 1643–1644Louvre Palace, Paris · ParisAfter Richelieu and Louis XIII died in succession, five-year-old Louis XIV ascended the throne with Anne of Austria as regent. Mazarin, enjoying the queen mother's trust, became chief minister and established a regency system of joint rule by the queen mother and the cardinal.
  2. 1643–1648Western European diplomatic stage · Western EuropeMazarin inherited Richelieu's diplomatic legacy, supported allied forces fighting within the German lands, and secured territorial gains such as Alsace for France in the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, establishing its status as a great European power.
  3. 1648–1650France · FranceWar exhausted the treasury; Mazarin imposed new taxes and strengthened control over the high courts, provoking the Parlementary Fronde of 1648 and the Fronde of the Princes of 1650. The regency government was forced to compromise several times during the civil war, and royal authority was severely tested.

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