Mazarin, Foreign Policy and Domestic Tensions, 1653–61

Abstract

After the collapse of the Frondes, Mazarin felt the kind of triumphant confidence that Richelieu had experienced after the Day of Dupes. This is not to say that the country had been reduced to a state of unquestioning obedience. In April 1655 the Parlement of Paris announced its intention of discussing financial edicts which the crown had sent for registration. On 13 April, Louis XIV went in person to the Parlement and ordered the assembly to desist from discussion and restrict itself to registering edicts (this is the occasion when he is alleged to have said ‘l’état, c’est moi’ [I am the state]). However, Mazarin was sufficiently assured of his position to concentrate on the war against Spain. Since he expected to be absent from Paris for long periods, he followed the example of Richelieu and created in the central administration a team which he trusted to implement his policies. In finance, he retained the services of d’Aligre and Morangis, both of whom had remained loyal to him during the Frondes; above them he put Abel Servien, who had been a principal French representative at the negotiations in Münster, and Nicolas Fouquet, who since 1650 had been a senior figure in the Parlement of Paris. Fouquet also had stood by Mazarin during the Frondes, and Mazarin greatly admired his financial acumen. The principal minister advanced not only Nicolas himself, but also his brothers: François was made Archbishop of Narbonne and Louis became Bishop of Agde. Gilles and Yves Fouquet had careers in the army and diplomacy, and the Abbé Basile Fouquet was appointed to serve in Mazarin’s household.