Download or read book The Origins of French Absolutism, 1598-1661 written by Alan James and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-01-14 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This controversial study takes the provocative line that the French monarchy was a complete success. James turns the idea of royal ‘absolutism’ on its head by redefining the French monarchy’s success from 1598 - 1661. The Origins of French Absolutism, 1598-1661 maintains that building blocks were not being laid by the so-called architects of absolutism, but that by satisfying long-established, traditional ambitions, cardinal ministers Richelieu and Mazarin undoubtedly made the confident, ambitious reign of the late century possible.