How to Pronounce Louis XIV

Meaning and Context

Louis XIV, born in 1638 and reigning as King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715, personified the zenith of absolute monarchy in Europe. His 72-year reign, the longest of any sovereign in a major European country, was defined by his famous doctrine "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state"), which centralized power and diminished the nobility's influence. He transformed the Palace of Versailles from a hunting lodge into a breathtaking symbol of royal authority and French Baroque artistry, using its opulence and elaborate court rituals to domesticate the French aristocracy. His era, often called the Grand Siècle (Great Century), saw France become a dominant military, cultural, and political power, though his costly wars, including the War of Spanish Succession, and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, which persecuted French Protestants (Huguenots), left the kingdom financially strained and socially divided. The Sun King's legacy is an indelible mix of unparalleled cultural patronage, exemplified by figures like Molière and Lully, and the unchecked autocracy that would eventually sow the seeds for the French Revolution.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Louis XIV, using the Roman numeral for fourteen. Common errors or variations include misspelling his regnal name as "Louis the 14th" in prose, though this is acceptable in informal contexts, or incorrectly using "Louis XVI" (his descendant who was executed during the Revolution). A frequent typo is "Louie XIV," substituting the anglicized "Louie" for the French "Louis," which is pronounced "Loo-ee." Another occasional error is the omission of the space, resulting in "LouisXIV." In French, it is properly written with an apostrophe as Louis XIV and often referred to with his epithet, Louis Quatorze. Confusion can also arise with the spelling of associated terms, such as "Versailles" (often misspelled as "Versailes" or "Versaiiles") and "Bourbon" (the royal dynasty, sometimes misspelled as "Bourbonne").

Example Sentences

Historians often cite the construction of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles as the ultimate architectural expression of Louis XIV's power and taste.

The centralization of government under Louis XIV effectively made the nobility dependent on his favor at court.

While Louis XIV's patronage of the arts defined the French Baroque style, his relentless pursuit of military glory nearly bankrupted the state.

Many tourists visiting the lavish gardens of Versailles today are walking through a landscape meticulously designed to glorify the Sun King.

The revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV precipitated a brain drain, as skilled Huguenot craftsmen and merchants fled France.

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