J. B. Bossuet wrote that there are four essential characteristics of an absolute monarchy.

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Darek Marino                                                                October 31, 2002

AP Euro                                                                Period 7

        J. B. Bossuet wrote that there are four essential characteristics of an absolute monarchy. They are, “First, royal authority is sacred. Second, it is paternal. Third, it is absolute. And fourth, it is subject to reason.” These four features of absolutism can bee observed in the Bourbon Dynasty of France. The reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV proved repeatedly that Bossuet’s statement truly reflected absolute monarchy. Each of Bossuet’s four ideas on absolute monarchy can be seen in the actions and lives of the Bourbons.

        “Royal authority is Sacred.” Absolute rulers believed that they were given their kingdom through Divine Right, or the approval of God, that they are, as Bossuet declared, “Anointed of the Lord,” or God’s agents on Earth. The Bourbons truly believed that their power came from God and the only institution beyond their influence was God Himself. By claiming Divine Right, the Bourbon kings had theological backing for their reigns.

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        “Royal Authority is Paternal.” Bossuet and other philosophes viewed that the absolute monarch is a father figure to his subjects, and his subjects were expected to act as children towards the monarch. During the time of the Bourbons, children were expected to be obedient towards the king. This idea of subordination allowed Louis XIV to continue to tax the peasantry to support his wars and allowed for both Louis and Henry IV to maintain overall stability within France. As Sir Robert Filmer wrote, “As the father over one family, so the king over many families…” In other words, it was ...

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