March 14: Today's date is anniversary of two events related to the throne of France, in its most important time: 1. Henry IV of France was assassinated in 1610. 2nd. Louis XIV ascends the throne of France in 1643, just four years old.

                                              King Henry IV of France

In 1610, Henry IV of France was brutally murdered. Henry was the first monarch of the House of Bourbon. He inherited the throne of Navarra with the death of his mother. He was one of the most popular kings due to his benevolent despotism. He was very interested in the welfare of his subjects.

Assassination of Henry IV on May 14, 1610

As a Huguenot, Henry was involved in the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants in France that ended in the Edict of Nantes, promulgated by Henry IV in 1598. Henry guaranteed religious freedom to Protestants. 12 years later, the king was murdered by a Catholic fanatic. Louis XIII succeeded Henry IV.

Assassination of Henry IV on May 14, 1610

The 2nd event occurred in 1643, when a child of four years of age, Louis XIV, ascends the throne of France after the death of his father, Louis XIII. The new king became "The Sun King" (le Roi-Soleil) because people said that his kingdom was so great that the sun never hid.

Cardinal Richelieu, painting of Philippe de Champaigne, 1637

Louis XIV’s kingdom lasted 72 years and 110 days, the longest reign in European history. Actually, who ruled was Cardinal Mazarin, who died in 1661, and so the king took power.

Louis XIV by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1701.

Mazarin had left the famous Cardinal Richelieu to conduct foreign affairs of France. Both cardinals created a centralized state, and sought to eliminate the remnants of feudalism. There is much to be said of Louis XIV, but his kingdom grew coasts of Spain, mainly. It is recalled more by the magnificent Palace of Versailles.