The Dynastic State and the Army under Louis XIV: Royal Service and Private Interest 16611701 [Hardcover]

A new interpretation of the development of the French army during Louis XIV's reign.This book presents a new interpretation of the development of the French army during the 'personal rule' of Louis XIV. Based on massive archival research, it examines the army not just as a military institution but also as a living political, social and economic organism. The author argues that the key to the development of Louis XIV's armed forces was the king's determination to acknowledge and satisfy the military, political, social and cultural aspirations of his officers, while upholding the position of the Bourbon dynasty.This book presents a new interpretation of the development of the French army during the 'personal rule' of Louis XIV. Based on massive archival research, it examines the army not just as a military institution but also as a living political, social and economic organism. The author argues that the key to the development of Louis XIV's armed forces was the king's determination to acknowledge and satisfy the military, political, social and cultural aspirations of his officers, while upholding the position of the Bourbon dynasty.This book presents a new interpretation of the development of the French army during the personal rule of Louis XIV. Based on massive archival research, it examines the army not only as a military institution but also as a political, social and economic organism. Guy Rowlands asserts that the key to the development of Louis XIV's armed forces was the king's determination to acknowledge and satisfy the military, political, social and cultural aspirations of his officers, and maintain the solid standing of the Bourbon dynasty.General introduction: 'Absolute monarchy', dynasticism and the standing army; Part I. 'Patrimonial Bureaucracy': The Le Tellier Dynasty and the Ministry of War: Introduction; 1. The Secretary of State for War and the dynastic interests of the Le Tellier family; 2. The ebb and flow of Le Tellier power, 16611701; 3. Tló‡