Fronde-Louis Persuasion

Dear Folk,

On a hot August 26, 1648, the people – hot and hacked off – were manning the barricades on the streets of Paris. This was a revolution of the folk upset with absolute rule, foreign powers, and a queen who was messing around with a Cardinal. There were two associations, one of parlements and one of the nobles, each were known as The Branch (Fronde in French.)

Louis XIII had died and left his wife, Anne of Austria, and his five year old son, Louis XIV, to rule. Anne was fairly young, very rich, and all alone. She needed the help of a saintly French man. Unfortunately, she found neither in the guy she decided to snuggle with: Cardinal Mazarin.

Jules Mazarin was born of an old Sicilian family on July 14, 1602. He was captain of the pontifical troops and then a diplomat for Urban VIII. He negotiated peace between the Spaniards and French. In doing so, he made himself very useful to the scheming of Richelieu. When he left the service of the pope, Mazarin went to work for Richelieu and even became a naturalized French citizen. Richelieu was even partially responsible for getting Jules made a Cardinal of the Church. Before Richelieu died (Dec 4, 1642), Mazarin had Richelieu speak on his behalf to King Louis XIII. Of course Louis XIII was not long for the world either and died May 14, 1642.

Anne of Austria gave the real power of the throne of France to Mazarin. Jules let it be known that he was heading back home to Italy when the word of Anne's offer for him to advise her reached him. He already knew it was coming, dear hearts. He pretended to refuse and then said well, he would do it but only until peace in Europe was established.

You see Mazarin majored in humble. He seemed as kindly as Captain Kangaroo and as soft spoken as Mr. Rogers. Anne trusted him. There are some sources, I blush to add, that think that Anne and Cardinal Mazarin were secretly married. I guess it beats living in sin. Anyway, Mazarin had his ways. They were to stand him in good stead with both Anne and sonny boy Louis. And Mazarin was a Cardinal and priest. He would not have taken advantage of that.

The Fronde was really the name given to the civil war in France between 1648 and 1653. The Frondeurs were opposed to the rule of Mazarin on account of his rapacity (when he died his estate was worth about $40,000,000) and employment of foreigners. Just as today, the French did not much like foreigners except Jerry Lewis.

The movement was at first led by the parlements, which wished to regulate taxation, especially the Parliament of Paris. This was an attempt to substitute rule of nobility to rule by law instead of capricious whim. Their forces were defeated by Conde in 1649. What was called the Old Fronde was brought to an end. Later the Fronde became a shoving match between the nobles, headed by Conde and Mazarin. It was a real seesaw with Conde getting himself put in prison and then Mazarin having to run for his hide from Paris. In the end Mazarin won. The Fronde, which originally aimed at consolidating the powers of the Parlement and relieving the burdens of the people, had the effect of establishing more firmly the absolute monarchy of France.

During his youth, Louis was content to leave the government in Mazarin's hands, but when Jules died in 1661, the twenty-two-year-old king declared he would be his own prime minister. From that day until his death over fifty years later, he directed the affairs of state and dispensed the crown's patronage to ensure that power rested with him personally and not with some chief minister.

There were certain little pamphlets, published during the Fronde, which said that obedience is due only to those kings who demand what is just and reasonable. They even said that kings do not make peoples, but that peoples have made kings. What do you think Louis XIV thought of that? Right! Louis supported the Divine right of kings and the victories over the Frondes seemed to support that. Louis XIV only had to deal with God, the rest of the folks had to deal with Louis.

Having said the above, let me add this. Louis' character underwent a remarkable maturation. At first, he was a pleasure-loving monarch. He had several wagon loads of mistresses. People who were rarely shocked actually commented upon the bevy of royal beauties. He lost his bounce as he grew older and actually found religion. Sure, he still loved a well turned ankle but he felt guilty about it now. He actually secretly married his last mistress. He still loved glory though. He was a bug for winning but even more so of having order and systematic rule. Of course, that rule was to be solely under Louis XIV. It was good to be the king.

What have we learned from this? Things sometimes turn out completely the opposite of what you wanted? Sometimes friends of mom can be very helpful? Most folks get religion late in life after they have had all the fun they can have? The Church and State can be meshed into one well-oiled machine? How about: God is on the side of the winners? Bob Dylan had a song to that effect.

If you are out putting down revolting parlements, being regent for a five year old king, or just watching a Jerry Lewis movie and want to share these writings with others, do so but keep my name and sig. attached.

BTW, I am watching Sergei Eisenstein's "Ivan the Terrible." My gosh, it is lush and wonderful. Sure it is in B&W and captioned but it will still knock your socks off. I got my copies (2 tapes) at Insomniac Video but check at your local cult video shop. If they don't have it, they are not a quality place. Off with their heads!

Wondering if Jim Carey is Jerry Lewis' love child,
J. Ellsworth Weaver

SCA – Sir Balthazar of Endor
AS – Polyphemus Theognis
TRV – Sebastian Yeats