Revolts undermined the French royal power for four years, from 1648 to 1652. Originating from the Parliament initially, they extended to the princes of the kingdom. Stemming from excessive taxation imposed by Minister Mazarin, this movement known as the Fronde deeply impacted the young Louis XIV. Upon ascending the throne, he spared no effort to ensure that such a crisis would never occur again.
What Are the Causes of the Fronde?
The Fronde movement was born in a particular context. Since 1643, the kingdom of France has been governed by Anne of Austria, wife of the late King Louis XIII and mother of Louis XIV. As the latter is still too young, she assumes the regency of the country, accompanied by her principal minister, Jules Mazarin, a trusted man who has already distinguished himself under Richelieu. But the minority of a king always weakens a kingdom, which can see discontented people take advantage of the sovereign’s inexperience to revolt at any moment.
Despite this situation, Mazarin’s acceptance among the subjects is far from universal. An outsider, as most consider him, pulling the strings of the country alongside the queen mother, is hardly acceptable. And when this same outsider decides to increase taxes to cover the cost of the Thirty Years’ War, it is entirely unacceptable.
What Is the Parliamentary Fronde?
To collect the taxes in question, Mazarin resorts to intendants, who wield significant power. Therefore, the Parliament and the nobility fear that this system will further threaten their situation. On May 13, 1648, the Parliament of Paris, the Cour des aides, and the Chambre des comptes issued the Union decree. Defying the royal prohibition, they decided to assemble to consider state reform. The aim of the movement was to reduce the absolute power of the king and to regain certain prerogatives abolished by Richelieu.
Thus, during the summer, the representatives submit to the queen mother a program of twenty-seven articles, demanding, among other things, the abolition of the intendants and the principle of not levying any new tax without parliamentary consent. Anne of Austria agrees but does not sign the document. Offended by the deputies’ behavior, she waits for the ideal moment to put an end to this charade. In August 1648, she was surprised by the arrest of one of the main counselors of the Parliament, Pierre Broussel. Immediately, the Parisian population revolts (Broussel is a highly esteemed figure), to the point that the Court is forced to flee the Capital. Filled with resentment, the regent has no choice but to confirm the reform program of the parliamentarians.
The royal family has already lost some of its prestige, and it takes little to arouse the anger of the people and the nobility. The nobles, the princes, and the population all wish for one thing: the departure of Mazarin, which is still far from being considered by the authorities. Therefore, it became imperative to act, especially as the end of the Thirty Years’ War allowed France to recover its troops. The dangerous Capital is once again abandoned by the royal family, which this time goes to Saint-Germain (January 1549).
Once safe, the regent’s task is now to reaffirm her authority over Paris. To begin with, the regent tries to install parliaments in the provinces to distance them. But to no avail, as they, supported by the bourgeoisie, raised an army led by nobles (Prince Conti, Duke of Longueville, etc.). Meanwhile, Mazarin places the royal troops under the command of the Prince of Condé, who agrees to besiege Paris. Disorganized, the Parisian revolt lost steam, and the Parliament eventually accepted the peace of Rueil in March 1649 before signing the peace of Saint-Germain on April 1, 1649.
How Was the Fronde Des Princes Organized?
After the agreements, the kingdom’s elites are rather satisfied, unlike the people, who are still bending under the weight of taxes while Mazarin retains his functions. However, the Prince de Condé, expecting more privileges from the royal family, is very disappointed and makes it known. Mazarin then seeks the help of Prince de Gondi, willing to betray Condé for a few promises. Thus, on January 18, 1650, the Princes de Condé, de Conti, and the Duke of Longueville were arrested and imprisoned at Vincennes. The shadow of a new Fronde becomes increasingly oppressive, especially since Mazarin did not keep his promises to Gondi.
The latter demands the immediate release of the princes, but Anne of Austria opposes it. The supporters of the princes take up arms throughout France; the country is on the brink of civil war. When the Parisian population discovers, in February 1651, that the royal family is attempting to flee the capital again, it revolts, invades the palace, and blocks the city. Once again, the queen has no choice; she capitulates and releases the princes. Immediately upon his release, Condé begins to plot his revenge. Mazarin, meanwhile, goes into exile in the Rhineland to calm spirits.
How Did Le Grand Condé Deal with His Own Fronde?
Soon, Louis XIV reached the age of majority and, distrusting the Grand Condé, raised troops with his mother to quell the insurrection. Condé had indeed joined the rebellion of the Ormée, going as far as to ally with Spain. Cardinal Mazarin emerged from exile to support the young king in Poitiers, even as the despised minister faced a bounty on his head. France became the scene of multiple devastations, with the countryside pillaged and the poorest dying of hunger.
Under the command of Turenne, who had once again allied with the king, the royal army marched against Condé to put an end to the prolonged horror. Several battles ensued until the fateful day of July 2, 1652, when Condé and Turenne clashed on the outskirts of Paris. However, on the brink of defeat, Condé received assistance from the king’s cousin, known as the Grand Mademoiselle. She ordered the Saint-Antoine gate to be opened, allowing her troops to enter, and directed cannon fire against the royal forces.
Condé was thus able to seize Paris, a city descending irreversibly into anarchy. Eventually, the Parisians overthrew Condé and initiated negotiations with the royal power. Among the conditions negotiated was the departure of Mazarin from the country, enabling the king to reclaim his authority over Paris. Consequently, the advisor went into exile in Belgium.
What Were the Consequences of the Fronde?
On October 21, 1652, Louis XIV made his entrance into the capital. Mazarin was finally recalled in February 1653, and the last insurrection was suppressed in Bordeaux in August 1653. The Prince de Condé was sentenced to death. Nevertheless, he continued his vengeance by fighting against France and Spain. He was pardoned in 1659 by the Treaty of the Pyrenees. After four years of civil unrest organized by parliamentarians, princes, and the population, France regained some stability. However, its sovereign, the young Louis XIV, remained deeply affected by these events, which nearly cost the country dearly.
Determined to prevent them from happening again, he tirelessly strengthened his absolute power: he had no prime minister, deprived the parliament of power, and surrounded himself at Versailles (far from Paris and its revolts) with the grandees of the kingdom to keep them under surveillance. Thus, these few years of the Fronde were more than enough to dictate the entire policy of a personal reign lasting 54 years.
