An attention grabbing, controversial study of the power of legendary Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin and the success of the French Monarchy between 1598 - 1661. This book turns the idea of royal 'absolutism' on its head by redefining, and not trying to deny, the French monarchy's success from 1598 - 1661.
The controversial position taken by James on the popular theory of 'absolutism' will attract widespread interest. A valuable addition to Seminar Studies in History series. Incorporates the conclusions of recent, detailed research on seventeenth-century FranceBenefits from valuable additional resources such as documents, chronology, glossary, guide to characters and a detailed bibliography