King of France and Navarre
1643–1715
* 05. Sep 1638, † 01. Sep 1715
Called the ‘Sun King’, Louis XIV was sole ruler of France from 1661. His wide-ranging powers and luxurious lifestyle have led to his rule being regarded as the epitome of Absolutism. Louis XIV wanted to strengthen France’s position in Europe. Rivalry with the Habsburgs led to numerous wars between the two powers in the seventeenth century.
The Habsburg dynasty: Here you can read potted biographies, examine portraits from seven centuries and dip into the historical contexts of past epochs.
Select a period in Habsburg history, from the beginnings of Habsburg rule in the Middle Ages to the collapse of the Monarchy during the First World War.
The map shows the territorial development of the Habsburg Monarchy as it evolved into a sprawling, geographically fragmented empire.
Monarchical rule was legitimized by descent. The classic form of representing these relationships is the genealogical table or family tree.
Collected themes - browse stories and anecdotes from the history of the Habsburg Monarchy.
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Choose from various themes to access and explore the history of the Habsburg Monarchy, for example 'work', 'love' or 'death'.
Journey through the different epochs of Habsburg history from the Middle Ages to the First World War.
All the members of the Habsburg dynasty. Read biographical notes and explore the historical context.
