Territorial expansion of France
under Louis XIV (1643–1715) is
depicted in orange.
illegitimate son Louis-Auguste de Bourbon, Duke of Maine.[129] Orléans, however, had Louis's will annulled by the Parlement of
Paris after his death and made himself sole regent. He stripped Maine and his brother, Louis-Alexandre, Count of Toulouse, of
the rank of Prince of the Blood, which Louis had granted them, and significantly reduced Maine's power and privileges.[130]
Line of succession to the French throne upon the death of Louis XIV in 1715. Louis XIV's only surviving legitimate grandson,
Philip V, was not included in the line of succession due to having renounced the French throne after the war of the Spanish
Succession, which lasted for 13 years after the death of Charles II of Spain in 1700.[131]
 Louis XIII (1601–1643)
 Louis XIV (1638–1715)Louis, Grand Dauphin (1661–1711)Louis, Duke of Burgundy (1682–1712)Louis, Duke of Brittany (1707–1712)(1) Louis, Duke of Anjou (1710–1774)Philip V of Spain (1683–1746)Charles, Duke of Berry (1686–1714)Philippe I, Duke of Orléans (1640–1701)(2) Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (1674–1723)(3) Louis, Duke of Chartres (1703–1752)
Further down the French line of succession in 1715 was the House of Condé, followed by the House of Conti (a cadet branch of
the House of Condé). Both of these royal houses were descended in the male line from Henri II, Prince of Condé, a second cousin
of French King Louis XIII (the father of Louis XIV) in the male line.
According to Philippe de Courcillon's Journal, Louis on his deathbed advised his heir with these words:
Do not follow the bad example which I have set you; I have often undertaken war too lightly and have sustained it for
vanity. Do not imitate me, but be a peaceful prince, and may you apply yourself principally to the alleviation of the
burdens of your subjects.[132]
Some historians point out that it was a customary demonstration of piety in those days to
exaggerate one's sins. Thus they do not place much emphasis on Louis's deathbed
declarations in assessing his accomplishments. Rather, they focus on military and
diplomatic successes, such as how he placed a French prince on the Spanish throne. This,
they contend, ended the threat of an aggressive Spain that historically interfered in
domestic French politics. These historians also emphasise the effect of Louis's wars in
expanding France's boundaries and creating more defensible frontiers that preserved
France from invasion until the Revolution.[132]
Arguably, Louis also applied himself indirectly to "the alleviation of the burdens of [his]
subjects." For example, he patronised the arts, encouraged industry, fostered trade and
commerce, and sponsored the founding of an overseas empire. Moreover, the significant
reduction in civil wars and aristocratic rebellions during his reign are seen by these
historians as the result of Louis's consolidation of royal authority over feudal elites. In their analysis, his early reforms centralised
France and marked the birth of the modern French state. They regard the political and military victories as well as numerous
cultural achievements as how Louis helped raise France to a preeminent position in Europe.[133] Europe came to admire France
for its military and cultural successes, power, and sophistication. Europeans generally began to emulate French manners, values,
goods, and deportment. French became the universal language of the European elite.
Louis's detractors have argued that his considerable foreign, military and domestic expenditure impoverished and bankrupted
France. His supporters, however, distinguish the state, which was impoverished, from France, which was not. As supporting
evidence, they cite the literature of the time, such as the social commentary in Montesquieu's Persian Letters.[134]
Line of succession in 1715
Legacy
Reputation