Anne of Austria

Upon the death of Louis XIII, Anne of Austria became regent for her four-year-old son Louis XIV. She overturned her husband's will, which had limited her power, and appointed Cardinal Mazarin as chief minister, continuing Richelieu's policies.

Anne of Austria faced a series of noble and parliamentary revolts known as the Fronde. She and the young Louis XIV were forced to flee Paris twice. The rebellion was eventually suppressed, but it left Louis XIV with a lifelong distrust of the nobility and Paris.

Anne of Austria's regency government negotiated the Treaty of the Pyrenees with Spain, ending decades of war. The treaty included the marriage of Louis XIV to the Spanish Infanta Maria Theresa, strengthening Bourbon-Habsburg relations.

Cardinal Mazarin died, and Anne of Austria's regency formally ended as Louis XIV assumed personal rule. Anne retired to the convent of Val-de-Gr