How did Louis XIV of France control the nobles?

Answer 1

This is somewhat of a long and drawn explanation. Louis XIV built Versailles for more than one reason. The two prominent reasons being that he wanted to show the world his power and riches through architecture, and to maintain control over the French nobles.Louis XIV had an interesting way of keeping the nobles there. He would call them one at a time, explaining a desire meet with them, and then he would continue to postpone them. He wanted to call them there without actually telling them it was to maintain power.

This not only kept the nobles where he could see them, it also had the nobles at each others throats to please him and and caused fighting among them. This constant state of contention and bickering kept them from allying together against him in an attempt to overthrow him. It is honestly too bad that Louis XIV did not come about sooner, as Julius Caesar could have really learned something from him.

Also, this question is tagged under "French Revolution". Due to the fact that this is a question regarding Louis XIV, it implies that you are referring to the time of Louis' reign/life time. Louis XIV was born in September of 1638, his coronation was in June of 1654, and died in September of 1715. The French Revolution was from the years 1789 to 1799, almost 70 years after the death of Louis XIV.

Answer 2

Building Versailles was one of the biggest factors: by making all the nobles move there from Paris and keeping them busy with favors, gossip, banquets, etc. he kept them away from political dissent. He also put the army under his control, not the control of private generals, and banned private persons (i.e. nobles) from having their own armies. Finally, by revoking Edict of Nantes he forced all Huguenots (including many nobles) to convert to Catholicism, demonstrating his absolute power).

Answer 3

Louis XIV kept the nobles under his control by removing them from their regional posts and instead positioning them in the court. He created the ceremony of the Grand Levee which led to nobles jostling for the great privilege to watch or help King Louis XIV get out of bed. The reason that the nobles competed with each other to perform such minimal tasks was to gain the King's attention and favor. Louis XIV's constantly changing fashions also resulted in nobles being required to spend a great deal of their time seeing tailors and dressmakers and made them stay in Paris to observe the new fashions and not be "out of date".

As a result, the nobles had to stay in Paris where Louis XIV could monitor their activities and restrict their movements.

Answer 4

He pushed them in the mud and stole their lunch money. He also forced them to come to his court to keep a closer eye on them

Answer 5

by giving them land and power