French Monarchs Timeline: The Bourbons

By ianmartus
  • Jan 1, 1268

    The Bourbon Family

    The Bourbons first started out as a noble family. They served as a cadet branch instead of becoming kings. A cadet branch is the family members that inherited less wealth and authority to pass to future generations of descendants. This went on for three centuries until Henry IV became the first Bourbon king of France in 1589.

  • Henry IV

    Henry IV
    • Lived from December 13, 1553-May 14, 1610
    • Stabbed to death
    • Issued the Edict of Nantes
    • Became heir to the French throne through his marriage to Margaret of Valois
    • Converted to Catholicism
    • Pope Clement reversed his excommunication
    • Made peace with the Ottoman Empire
    • Opened up trade routes to East Asia
    • Stabbed to death

  • Louis XIII

    Louis XIII
    • Lived from September 27, 1601-May 14, 1643
    • Crowned king after the assassination of his father Henry IV.
    • His mother ruled as regent during the early days of his reign.
    • Sent his mother into exile in Blois after taking the throne.
    • Died of tuberculosis
    • King Louis XIII and Anne of Austria married when they were 14.
    • Declared war on Spain in 1635
    - The victories over Spain during the war helped to raise Louis's esteem in the eyes of his people.

  • Louis XIV

    • Lived from September 5, 1638-September 1, 1715
    • Son of Louis XIII
    • Absolute monarch
    • Known for his aggressive foreign policy.
    • Revoked the Edict of Nantes
    • Invaded the Spanish Netherlands
    • Engaged France in the Franco-Dutch War from 1672–1678
    • Led a war between France and the Grand Alliance in 1688
    • Died of gangrene
    • His 5-year-old great-grandson, Louis XV, succedded the throne

  • Louis XV

    • Lived from February 15, 1710-May 10, 1774
    • Recieved the throne at age 5
    • Participated in the War of Austrian Succession.
    • He fought in the Seven Years War with Austria
    • He damaged France's foreign relations and continuously overspent money.
    • Died a hated man

  • Louis XVI

    • Lived from August 23, 1754-January 21, 1793
    • Louis married the 14 year-old Habsburg Archduchess Maria Antonia at 15.
    • Indecisive with decisions due to shyness
    • Lacked sufficient strength of character and decisiveness
    • Faced enormous debt and resentment towards a monarchy.
    • Was forced to acknowledge the National Assembly's authority.
    • Was found guilty by the National Assembly and condemned to death for secret dealings and counter-revolutionary intrigues.
    • Executed by guillotine

  • Louis XVII

    • Lived from March 27, 1785-June 8, 1795
    • His family fled Versailles during the French Revolution.
    • A mob stormed the Tuileries and captured Louis-Charles, his parents and siblings.
    • Louis was placed into solitary confinement in January 1794.
    • Died of tuberculosis

  • Lasting Effects of the Bourbon Family

    The Bourbon Family had many lasting effects on France. They first had some kings allow people to have religious freedom by indicting the Edict of Nantes. However, others didn't do this and participated in wars over religion. Louis XVI is an example of a leader that ruled poorly because he was king during the French Revolution and was executed by his people. Overall, I think the Bourbon Family had a good set of kings at first, and then they had their downfall when the French Revolution started.