text: **Centralisation of power**
  
  By the early 1680s, Louis had greatly augmented French influence in the world. 
  Domestically, he successfully increased the influence of the crown and its authority over 
  the church and aristocracy, thus consolidating absolute monarchy in France. 
  
  Louis initially supported traditional Gallicanism, which limited papal authority in France, 
  and convened an Assembly of the French clergy in November 1681. Before its dissolution 
  eight months later, the Assembly had accepted the Declaration of the Clergy of France, 
  which increased royal authority at the expense of papal power. Without royal approval, 
  bishops could not leave France, and appeals could not be made to the pope. Additionally, 
  government officials could not be excommunicated for acts committed in pursuance of 
  their duties. Although the king could not make ecclesiastical law, all papal regulations 
  without royal assent were invalid in France. Unsurprisingly, the Pope repudiated the 
  Declaration.[4] 
  
  By attaching nobles to his court at Versailles, Louis 
  achieved 
  the French 
  aristocracy. According to historian Philip Mansel, 
  the king turned the palace into: 
  
  Portrait of Louis XIV (gray pastel on 
  paper by Charles Le Brun, 1667, 
  Louvre Museum) 
  
  increased control over 