Louis XIV
1643-1715
"The Fancier the Better"
In the 72 years he ruled, he promoted art and literature, created the extensive Versailles, and tried to centralize France. Louis Built Versailles, a very large and lavish building built on his fathers hunting land. Closer to the end of Louis' rule, he drained France's money by building large unnecessary buildings, long wars, and trying to run out protestants.
King Louis wanted to keep a close eye on the nobles, one way he did this was building of Versailles, and encouraging them to go to court. To king Louis peasant meant money and soldiers, he needed soldiers because of his many wars, and needed money because of all his spending. Louis would tell the peasants that if they wanted to stay on their land they would have increased taxes.