August 18, 2025 • 44 mins
Step into the world of Giulio Raimondo, better known as Cardinal Mazarin, whose tenure as Richelieus chosen successor reshaped the landscape of 17th-century France. A master diplomat, Mazarin navigated the complexities of power while maintaining a close, possibly secretive relationship with the Queen-Mother, Anne of Austria. Together, they faced the tumultuous Fronde rebellion, emerging victorious with the strategic brilliance of military commander Turenne by their side. By the time of his death in 1661, Mazarin had not only upheld Richelieus ambitious foreign policy but had also elevated the young Louis XIV to the throne, establishing him as the absolute monarch of one of Europes most formidable nations. As historian Arthur Hassall noted, Mazarins legacy was built on patience, perseverance, and sagacity. (Pamela Nagami)
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter one of Mazarin. This is a LibriVox recording. All
LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information
or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by
Pamela and Agami Mazarin by Arthur Hassel, Chapter one, The
(00:24):
Early Years of Mazarin's Ministry sixteen forty three to sixteen
forty six. Richelia died on the fifth of December sixteen
forty two. On the following day, Louis the thirteenth announced
that he had chosen Mazarin to be first Minister. Giulio Mazzarini,
(00:46):
or jul Mazarin as the French call umn, was born
on July fourteenth, sixteen o two, at Piccina, a small
village in the Aarburuzzi. His father was a certain Sicilian
by name Pietro Mazzarini. His mother was Ortensia Buffalini, who
was renowned for her beauty. To the latter, the young
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Giulio owed much of his future success, for it was
due to her efforts that he first studied under the
Jesuits at the Roman College and later at the University
of al Calla in Spain. He had early shown signs
of uncommon talents, and he was, at the age of sixteen,
remarkable for his handsome face and natural brightness. Ona's return
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to Rome about the year sixteen twenty two, he entered
the Pontifical Army, only to find that his reo mattie
was diplomacy. He had studied civil law and had taken
his degree of Doctor introquiure, and under Cardinals Babarini and
Saccheti he plunged into the tangled maze of Italian politics.
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Service under the Pope gave him an unrivaled opportunity of
making himself acquainted with the political state of Europe and
of practicing that adroitness and persuasiveness which proved so valuable
when he became First Minister in France. Idleness was never
one of his faults, and during these years in the
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service of his master at the Vatican, Mazarin showed himself indefatigable, subtle.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
And successful.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
By his patients in industry, he soon acquired an insight
into diplomatic mysteries.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Until the end of his life was pre eminently.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
A diplomatist of the first order.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
His ability was fully.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Recognized by the Cardinals Barberini and Saccheti, and the war
of the Manchuan succession brought him into contact with Richelieu.
On March thirtieth, sixteen thirty, the French had captured piin Neolo,
the fortress command the exit of the chief passed from
Dauphine into Italy. The Spaniards and imperialists offered to negotiate,
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and Mazarin, who was employed as papal legate, attracted the
notice of the French cardinal. The negotiations came to nothing,
as Richelia refused to yield Pinerolo. When later in the
year Casale, besieged by Spinola, was hard pressed, Mazarin, in
the absence of Richelia, who had returned to France, arranged
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a truce at Ravalta on September fourth, very much to
the advantage of the beleaguered garrison. It is not to
be wondered at that Richelia should have decided to secure
the services of the young Mazarin, for whom he procured
a cardinal's hat. Richelia's confidence in his protegee was not misplaced,
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and on his death bed he recommended Mazarin to Louis
as his successor, Before, however, Mazarin could establish himself firmly
in power and continue and complete his predecessor's policy, Louis
the thirteenth died, and an opportunity was given for an
outbreak of all the discontent which had been seeding in
(04:17):
France during Richelia's later years. Louis died on May fourteenth,
sixteen forty three. On May eighteenth, the Parliament of Paris,
anticipating the action of its successor in seventeen fifteen, on
the death of Louis the fourteenth, abolished the Council, which,
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by the will of the late king had been set up,
placing the supreme power in the hands of the Queen
Mother Anne of Austria, uneasy natured, but at the same
time a proud and capable woman, and appointed Gaston, Duke
of Orleo, a mere puppet in the hands of any
strong man lieutenant General of the Kingdom. This conduct of
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the Parliament and the attitude which it adopted was due
to the belief of its members that their political influence
would be restored, that Mazarin would retire to Italy, and
that the whole policy of Richelia would be reversed. The
Parliament had thus modified the will of the late king
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and had organized the regency. It had, in a word,
returned again to political life, from which in sixteen forty
one it had been most carefully excluded by Richelia, And
during the greater portion of Louis the fourteenth Minority, it
played a prominent part in the politics of the time,
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but its pretensions were odious to the Queen Mother and
to Mazarin, who, while endeavoring till the outbreak of the
Frond to preserve internal peace, was always jealous of any
attacks on them royal prerogative. In her attitude of constant
watchfulness over her son's rights, Anne was ever loyally supported
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by the Cardinal, whom the Parliament regarded with reason as
its principal foe. The Parliament had expected that Anne would
prove pliable and carry out its wishes. Before long, however,
the Queen Mother definitely indicated the position which as regent
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she intended to adopt, and from that moment the rift
between the Parliament and the government became deeper and deeper.
On the evening of May eighteenth, the Queen Mother announced
the decision, which proved to be a momentous one in
the history of the French monarchy. Mazarin was confirmed in
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his position as First Minister, and the hopes of the
parliament were disappointed. The work of consolidating the French monarchy
was not to be interrupted, and the policy of humbling
the Austro Spanish house was to be continued. Hatred of
Richelia as first Minister had been general among the noble
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class during the greater part of Louis the thirteenth reign.
Anne's announcement presaged the continuance of a system of government
which was odious to the feudal as well as the
legal aristocracy. The disaffected therefore at once resolved to resist
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the rule of Mazarin, and a system of uncompromising opposition
to the supremacy of an Italian adventurer was organized. The
situation of France was at this time extremely critical. Richelia's
death already had disastrous effects on the military administration, and
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an energetic action on the part of the government was necessary.
Ammunition was deficient, supplies of all kinds were with difficulty forthcoming,
and the bonds of discipline had been seriously relaxed. While
the ranks were weakened by frequent desertions. General officers had
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left their respective posts, and many of the subalterns were
absent from their duty. It seemed very doubtful if the
Army of the North would be able to take the field.
Equally serious had been the effects of the death of
the Great Cardinal on the stability of the government. Many
persons imprisoned or exiled by Richelieu now returned to Paris
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and were ready to avenge their wrongs on his successor.
Anxious to secure pensions and offices, they were wanting in
political responsibility, and cared nothing for the welfare of France.
The return of these exiles rendered Mazarin's position unspeakably difficult
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and forced him for a time to adopt a policy
of compromise. The issue was, however, plain, was the work
of crushing the great nobles and of making French influence
supreme on the continent. To be continued was the French monarchy.
To symbolize the unity of France. Mazarin embodied the continuance
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and development of Richelieu's policy. He consistently aimed at abolishing
feudalism and making the monarchy supreme. Consequently, he at once
became the object of bitter attacks, All those who disapproved
of Richelieu's policy immediately ranged themselves in opposition to Mazarin
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and resolved to abolish the post of First Minister. For
some ten years, the internal developedpment of France was checked,
while the feudal and legal aristocracies endeavored to regain their
lost positions, to reverse the foreign policy of the last
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two reigns and to destroy Mazarin. In consequence of the
cessation of Richelia's drastic methods, the nobles and parliament did
succeed in plunging France into confusion, and by their action
fully justified the measures by which they were ultimately suppressed.
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The new policy of leniency and concession in place of
that of stern repression, was however, seen after a few
years to have failed in every respect. But it was
not until sixteen fifty three that Mazarin was able to
remedy the evil results of the easy rule of Anne
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of Austria from sixteen fours twenty three to sixteen forty eight,
and of his own neglect of the internal administration. Mazarin
during the first years of his ministry found himself in
a very difficult position. Unlike Richelieu, who was supported by
the king, Mazarin could only rely upon a woman and
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a child, and Anne of Austria, by her good nature
and desire to satisfy everybody, made a stern policy for.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
The time impossible.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Opposed to him were powerful rivals and redoubtable enemies, and
while he had the management of the kingdom placed in
his hands, his work was continually hampered by the acts
of the Queen Mother's friends, who hitherto exiled and disgraced,
were returning in large numbers to France. Fortunately, he was
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able to unravel the various plots formed against him in France,
while his intimate acquaintance with the political state of Europe
stood him in good stead in directing the foreign policy
of the kingdom. Before the first surprise occasioned by the
confirmation of Mazarin in his post as First Minister had
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worn off, came the news of the decisive victory of Rocrois.
Nothing could have happened more opportunely for the minister. The
government was strengthened, its enemies confounded, and the early years
of the reign opened in brilliant fashion. Mazarin had fortunately
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confirmed the Duke of Onngien, son of Prince Henry of Conde,
in the command of the Army of the North, his
genius for war not being at the time generally known,
the veteran Lopitale was chosen to guide and control his actions.
On assuming the command, on Guien's ascendancy was at once felt.
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He restored the discipline and confidence of the army and
made preparations for taking the offensive. The Spanish army, however,
under Mello, forestalled his intentions, and as a preliminary to
the invasion of France and to a march upon Paris
by the valleys of the Marne and the Enns, the
Spanish general besieged the small fortress of Rocois, putting aside
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lo Pitale's plea for caution on Guion, ably supported by Gascion,
a cavalry leader of great promise, rapidly advanced, and on
May nineteenth, sixteen forty three, the famous Battle of Rocois
was fought. The Spanish army, which included many Italians and Valloons,
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numbered twenty seven thousand against their opponents twenty three thousand.
At first the French left wing was driven back and
the victory of Spain seemed assured. Pronuill's dash and skill
restored the fortunes of the day, and he won a
decisive victory over the renowned and experienced troops opposed to him.
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For the first time in a hundred years, Spain suffered
a defeat at the hands of France until the fatal
Day of Blenheim, the ascendancy of French arms in Europe
was established. Tienville was at once besieged and, owing to
Onguilla's engineering skill, surrendered on August eighteenth. These successes strengthened
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the hands of the Minister and enabled him to deal
in overwhelming blow at the Cabal of the Amportin, who
headed by the Duke of Beaufort, were conspiring to bring
about his downfall. The conspirators, who included the Duchess of
Chevreuse Richelia's old enemy and the most famous political schemer
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of the day, The Bishop of Beauvais, an intriguer of
the first water, the most idiot of idiots, Montressor, who
had the outside of a cato but none of his virtues,
the Duchesse of Montbason and the beautiful Duchesse of Longueville,
two clever and unscrupulous court ladies, the Duke of Beaufort
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and the rascally Abbe de la Riviere, had determined to
play upon Anne of Austria's good nature to destroy Richelia's
system and change his policy, and, in a word, to
seize the government. Mazarinin himself was alive to the hatred
which pursued Richelia's memory, and counseled toleration of all opinions.
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Time he wrote, will avenge that great man of all
these insults, and those who blame him to day will
find out hereafter perhaps how much his guidance would have
been necessary to complete the happiness of the realm, the
happiness of which he has laid the foundation. Let us
then suffer the malice of ignorant and prejudiced minds to
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evaporate freely, since opposition will only serve to irritate it.
These broad minded views failed to conciliate the Amportent, and
when the Duchess of Montbason was exiled for insulting the Queen,
Beaufort resolved to have the cardinal assassinated. The plot failed,
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and on September second, Beaufort was arrested and the amportent
virtually ceased to exist. This vigorous action on the part
of the government was received with general satisfaction. The whole
population wrote Mazarin was overjoyed. It was now clearly manifest
that Don Mazarin's courtesy and gentleness bore a striking contrast
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to the domineering manner of his predecessor. Richelia himself was
no less resolute than the Italian cardinal. Men recognized that
Richelia's mantle had indeed descended on Mazarin. N Nepamour Ellena
Quondage was the first line of Orndo, composed after the
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coupdettas of September two, sixteen forty three, in which it
was wittily suggested that Mazarin was Richelia himself. Though the
Cardinal was now fully established in power and supported at
court by many devoted friends such as Antoine, Marshal of gramaud,
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Rene Potier, the Count of trem Rogier du Precis, the
Marquis of Leancours, and others, he had many serious difficulties
to face. The Duke of Orleans and the Conde family
were mute, truly jealous and desirous of securing important provincial governments.
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Henry Conde demanded Longdoc for himself and the estates of
Chantilly and don Martin. In fact, the whole of the
domains of his brother in law, Henry of Montmorenci on Gien,
was to have Burgundy, and as the Duke of Longueville,
Conde's son in law, was governor of Normandy. It was
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evident that acquiescence with demands such as these would prove
highly detrimental to the development of the French monarchy. Or Leon,
on his part, demanded Champagne with Sedon. Cardinal Beacy had
advised Mazarin to bring about an understanding between Orleon and
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Henri Conde, and to rule by their means. Mazarin, however,
made no attempt to carry out this suggestion. He preferred
the safer plan of playing them off, the one against
the other, and for carrying out this policy he was
by nature remarkably well suited. By giving long Doc on
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which Conde had set his heart to Orleon, he preserved
the friendship with the latter and stirred up strife between
the two families. All through the year sixteen forty three.
The provincial question had occupied his mind. The increase in
taxation and the severity and dishonesty of the methods of
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collecting taxes had caused great discontent in the country districts,
and in the autumn of sixteen forty three the peasants
of Ruagh rose, and their example was shortly afterwards imitated
by the people in lower Poitau, Saintge and Yangoumois Lan, Geron,
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to whom had been committed the duty of suppressing the rising.
After meeting with serious resistance, stants put down the revolt
in Rueg with an armed force, but in the other
districts the nobles themselves took part in the risings, and
a state of things somewhat similar to that than existing
in England was created. A small army was promptly sent
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to the disturbed districts, but measures of severity were rarely employed,
and a general amnesty was granted. By this mixture of
firmness in suppressing disorder and of humanity in sparing the people,
Mazarin succeeded by the beginning of sixteen forty four in
restoring order in the provinces. Like the Norman kings, Mazarin
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had fully realized that it was politic to be generous
to the mass of the nation, who would be, if
well governed, a source of wealth to the crown. The
Queen's absolute intention, he wrote to the Intendant of Langdok, is,
that every possible facility may be given to the peace
people to pay the subventions which the inevitable necessity of
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public affairs compels her Majesty to require from them. Meanwhile,
other but not less effective measures were taken to ensure
the stability of the government. Believing that the influence of
the episcopacy was used against him, and fearing lest the
Queen should be affected by it, Mazarin ordered some sixty
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two bishops to return from.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Paris to their diocese.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
The cardinal's triumph over the nobles, the bishops, and the
court ladies was due in great measure to his personal
influence with the Queen.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
At the time, the strength of.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
This influence was never suspected, and Mazarin's fall was confidently anticipated.
The secret of this influence was, for two centuries a
source of difficulty. From Michelai's time, historians of high authority
have accepted the view that Mazarin and Anne of Austria
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were united by marriage Mazarin had early gained not only
the admiration but also the affection of the Queen regent.
To this affection was due the fidelity with which Anne
adhered to the fortunes of the cardinal during the whole
of the Frond period. To this affection was due the
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earlier and later triumphs of Mazarin, being only in Deacon's
orders Mazarin, though a cardinal, could lawfully marry. So far,
the anxieties of the government had been the natural outcome
of the changes consequent upon the deaths of Richelieu and
Louis the thirteenth. The initial difficulties of the new reign
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had been overcome, and the rule of Anne of Austria
and of Mazarin had been apparently firmly established. It remained
to bring the war to a successful conclusion. To affect
this desirable end, large supplies of money were absolutely necessary.
Richelia had left the finances in a desperate condition. This
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system of farming the taxes was a most ruinous one,
and it was only by borrowing at an exorbitant rate
of interest that funds could be procured. In sixteen forty four,
the expenditure had risen from ninety nine million livres in
sixteen forty two to one hundred and twenty four million,
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of which fifty nine million never reached the treasury. It
was necessary to raise money, and during the contests of
the government with the Parliament of Paris, not only were
the glaring defects of the French financial system made apparent,
but many points of comparison between the situation in England
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and that in France could be observed. Early in sixteen
forty four, Particelli de Meris, the dishonest Controller General of Finance,
imposed a tax of forty sous on every toise of
land built upon outside the walls of Paris. The inhabitants
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affected appeal to the Parliament and a contest arose between
that body and the government. Simultaneously, in the provinces, riots
took place against the imposition of certain taxes.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
The danger of a.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
General uprising all over the country was a real one,
and before it the government recoiled. It was resolved to
withdraw the edict of the tois and to substitute a
tax daises which would not fall on the poorer classes.
By this tax, Emeri expected to obtain about forty millions
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but the Parliament, on the suggestion of Omertallon, the Advocate General,
demanded that the whole of the legal class should be
exempted from the operation of this measure. As many others
also obtained exemption. It resulted that upon the farmers of
the revenue would fall the full force.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Of the exaction.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
This necessary but unpopular class at once raised a great outcry.
If they were abandoned by the court, they would no
longer furnish the required supplies, the public credit would be ruined,
and the government would be helpless. Recognizing that the numerous
exceptions had destroyed the utility of the tax Emeri at
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once withdrew it, and in March sixteen forty five reimposed
the toisee. The opposition which this measure provoked was so
violent that Anne arrested and exiled some of the members
of the Parlament.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
In an interview.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Held previously, Anne had silenced the President Gallon with the
words teese vous juvouconnet vieux fou. In spite of the
energy shown by the government, Mazarin recognized the existence of
deep discontent in the country had it not been for
the victory of Onngien and Tourin at Nordlingen in August
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of sixteen forty five, an early outbreak of the Fronde
might have taken place. The victory, however, enabled the court
to adopt a bold attitude, and Mazarin hoped that other successes,
such as that one at Nordlingen would enable him to
make a satisfactory peace, to be followed by the establishment
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of order and prosperity in France. After the rou Crois
and Tillonville campaign, a force under Ronseau had penetrated into Germany,
where it was defeated in Dutlingen by Merci, the Austrian general.
That reverse was, however, compensated for by the French success
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in three desperate battles at Freibourg in sixteen forty four,
where Turin and Conde both showed great skill. By the
end of sixteen forty four, French armies were an occupation
of the Rhine Valley. In sixteen forty five, Turin, like
Vilars in the Spanish Succession War, made an attempt to
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unite with the Swedes in a concerted advance upon Vienna. Ragotsky,
Prince of Transylvania, had been won over by Masarin and
had engaged to aid the Swedish general Torstenson, while Turin
marched on Vienna through Schwabia.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Unfortunately for the.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Success of the scheme, Turin on May fifth, sixteen forty five,
was defeated at Mergenthine and Torstenson was incapacitated by illness.
Reinforced by on Gien and eight thousand men, Turin avenger
the check which he had received by aiding his brilliant
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colleague to win the Battle of Nordlingen.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
On August third.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
In this desperate struggle, in which both sides suffered heavily,
Mercy was killed, but so severe were the French losses
that though the road to Vienna lay open, Turin was
unable to advance. Moreover, as Ragotsky and Torschtenson, who had
recovered from his illness, had both retreated, and as on
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Guien was ill, it would have been folly to have
moved forward with a weakened force.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
As it was.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
However, the reputation of the French arms was fully re
established and the hands of the opposition, exultant after Morganhine,
were weakened. A few days after the Battle of Norderlingen,
Mazarin had achieved a valuable diplomatic success. Since the beginning
of sixteen forty four, Sweden and Denmark had been at war,
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the result of Austrian intrigues at Copenhagen. Torstenson and Horne
thereupon invaded Denmark, leaving France to bear the weight of
the struggle in Germany. This diversion of the Swedish forces
tended to prolong the war against the Habsburgs, and Mazarin
hastened to intervene at Copenhagen and Stockholm in favor of peace.
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He was supported by the presence of a Dutch fleet
in the Baltic Preliminaries of peace were signed at the
end of the year sixteen forty four, and Torstenson returned
to Germany with his troops. Under the mediation of the
French ambassador La Tuilerie. Conferences between the Danish and Swedish
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envoys were opened at brom Sebro, influenced by the successes
of the Swedes in Germany and Bohemia, where in April
Torschtenson defeated the Austrian at Jankovitz, and by the determination
of the Dutch to support Sweden. Christian the fourth of
Denmark consented to the proposed terms, and on August fourteenth,
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sixteen forty five, the Treaty of Bromesbreux was signed. France
had not only brought about peace, but had secured definite
territorial advantages for her ally. At the same time, Masarin
recognized the advantage of conciliating Denmark, and on November twenty fifth,
sixteen forty five, he made a treaty with that power,
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advantageous to French commerce. He also endeavored to strengthen the
French alliance with Poland and Transylvania, and spared no pains
to gain for France the position of protectress of the
German princes and German liberties. The military successes of Turin
and on Guien in Germany, of Gascion and Ronseaus in
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flams and of Arcour and La Motte Udancour in Spain
tended to place France in the first rank among the
European powers. This position had been won by an unpopular
Italian cardinal, who, while conducting complicated negotiations and superintending distant
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military operations, was engaged at home in a continuous struggle
with a violent and unpatriotic opposition and with increasing financial difficulties.
Taking advantage of the victory of Nordlingen, Mazarin determined to
strike a blow at the opposition without delay. On September seventh,
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sixteen forty five, a few weeks after Nordlingen, a li
de justice was held. The Parliament adopted a submissive tone
and registered nineteen financial edicts, creating many new offices and
taxing various trades, while the government wisely withdrew the tois
and the tax deses. Mazarin had triumphed, but his triumph
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was mainly due to the opportune victory of Nordlingen. This
success gave the government three years of breathing time, during
which the opposition of the parliament to the minister increased.
For the moment, however, Mazarin had won a distinct success.
His power increased, and he was given the duty of
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superintending the education of the young king. In spite of
his momentary triumph over his enemies, the opposition to the
minister grew steadily. During the years succeeding the Battle of Nordlingen.
Mazarin was continually attacked both openly and covertly. By his enemies,
even or Leon. Influenced by such men as Louis Dastarac,
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the Marquis of Fontrai, one of the most dangerous characters
of the day, and by the ambitious Duchesse of Mombason,
took up an attitude of opposition which, while not a
serious danger, tended further to increase the difficulties of the government.
More dangerous was the hostility of Henri of Condei. His
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hatred of Mazarin had never ceased, and he now took
advantage of the Battle of Nordlingen to demand for his
son on Gien the sovereignty of Charleville Surmeuse. On Mazarin's refusal,
Condei took every opportunity, in conjunction with the Count of Chavigni,
to oppose and hamper the minister. At the same time,
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Paul Gondi, coadjutor of his uncle the Archbishop of Paris,
began his celebrated career of hostility to Mazarin and to
the French government. Richelie would have got short these numberless
intrigues by arrests and executions, Mazarin met them by dissimulation
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and adept himself in the art of intrigue. He eventually
defeated his enemies with their own weapons, But the opposition
was so widespread and had now by the leniency of
the government, been allowed to become so powerful, that there
is little doubt that, in spite of Nordlingen and other victories,
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Mazarin would have been driven from France had he not
continued to possess the full confidence and affection of the
Queen Regent. If, as has been taken for granted, the
Cardinal and Anne of Austria were united by a secret marriage,
it is easy to explain the constant support which Mazarin
received from Anne. In sixteen forty six, the intrigues continued.
(34:55):
The French on June fourteenth had been defeated at Orbitello,
and the defeat had given the signal for renewed attacks
on the Minister, while Ongan's capture of Dunkirk later in
the year, so far from strengthening the government, only served
to render more emphatic the contrast between the plans of
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the Minister and those of the general. The tax on
Mazarin and the Queen were circulated. The period of Mazarinad's
had definitely begun ignoring these anonymous publications. Mazarin now took
steps to check his enemies.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Or Leon, who had.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Returned to Paris in September of sixteen forty six after
the capture of Mardike, was not again given a command.
Henry of Conde was treated with quiet contempt and not
allowed any active share in the administration. The siege of
Mardike was only an operation preliminary to the more important
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siege of Dunkirk. Mazarin's heart was set on its cap,
which he hoped would prove to be the first step
toward the conquest of the Spanish Netherlands. He spared no
pains to attain success. He conciliated on Guillen. He increased
the army in Flanders by recruits from Ireland, Scotland and Poland.
(36:17):
To his expenditure of time and money was due the
fall of Dunkirk, for without Mazarin's elaborate preparations on Guillen's
brilliant military qualities could have effected nothing. The majority of
the leading officers in the French army regarded the enterprise
as hopeless, but Mazarin never lost heart and his views
(36:39):
were readily accepted by Ongien, whose optimism was usually justified,
Mazarin rightly attached great importance to the action of the Dutch.
A diversion by the Stadtholder would have most beneficial results,
and a large portion of the Spanish army would be
held in czech Unfortunately, the Stadtholder fell ill at the moment,
(37:03):
but after some delay the States General decided to take
the offensive, and as Mazarin had anticipated, a portion of
the Spanish forces was detached to watch the Dutch. In
September sixteen forty six, Dunkirk was isolated. The Dutch fleet
under Tromp prevented any reinforcements from entering the port of Dunkirk,
(37:26):
and Tromp was joined by fifteen French ships. The Spaniards
were helpless to the English Parliament. They appealed for aid,
but England was in the throes of civil war and
neither party could spare troops to assist Spain. The success
of Mazarin's foreign policy during these years was in great
(37:47):
measure due to the continuance of the civil war in England.
One of the cardinal points of English policy was to
watch with jealousy any advance of the French toward Flanders.
Had England been under a settled government, there is no
doubt effective aid would have been given to the Spaniards
and Dunkirk would not have fallen into French hands as
(38:11):
it was. The English Parliament, though much excited at the
prospect of the French capture of Dunkirk, could do nothing,
and Onngien pressed on his attacks upon the town. Its governor,
the Marquis of Lead, was a brave man, and his
defense of Dunkirk forms one of the most famous episodes
in the war. He was only equalled in courage and
(38:34):
recklessness by on Gien, who perpetually was in danger of
losing his life. At last, a portion of the ramparts
were destroyed by a mine and a breach affected. Further
resistance was rendered useless. On October eleventh, sixteen forty six,
the garrison marched out of Dunkirk with all the honors
(38:57):
of war, and Hanseau was made governor. The capture of
Dunkirk proved most advantageous to France, for hitherto it had
been a nest of pirates who prayed on the French merchantmen.
The Dutch did not, however, view on Gillen's success with
tranquil feelings. The inhabitants of Zeeland feared that their commerce
(39:19):
would suffer from the competition of Dunkirk, and were not
reassured by Mazarin's promise that during the continuance of the war,
at any rate, the French government would not be able
to think much about trade. The capture of Dunkirk, though
it proved to be the first step toward the rupture
of the Dutch and French alliance, remains the glorious exploit
(39:42):
on the part of mont Gillen and reflects immense credit
on Mazarin's preparations and diplomacy. Notwithstanding the check at Orbitello
in Italy, the year sixteen forty six was a fortunate
one in the history of the minor minority of Louis
the fourteenth. In the Netherlands, the Spaniards had lost Courtrey, Mardike,
(40:07):
Fiune and Dunkirk. In Italy, the French had occupied Piombino
and Porto Lagone. Over Poland, Sweden and Denmark, French influence
was supreme. In spite, however, of the general success of
the French arms and diplomacy, the hostility to Mazarin never ceased,
and any check to his policy was greeted with joy.
(40:31):
All the elements of the Fronde struggle were being rapidly accumulated,
and every detail of Mazarin's private life was seized and
enlarged upon by his enemies. His avarice and his care
for his relations gave opportunities which his opponents were not
slow to use, while his foreign origin always rendered his
(40:53):
position in France a difficult one. From sixteen forty six onwards,
Mazarin he definitely began to amass wealth and to use
the advancement of his relations as a means of strengthening
his own position in France. In sixteen forty seven he
forced the Pope Innocent the tenth to make his brother
(41:15):
Michel Mazarin a cardinal, and in the same year his
nieces and nephews began to arrive in France in order
to share the fortunes of their uncle. One of his
sisters had married a Marte Nozzi and had two daughters.
The other, Signora Mancini, had no less than ten children.
In sixteen forty seven, Anna Maria, the elder of the
(41:39):
two Martinozzi children, and one son and two daughters of
Signora Mancini, well known later as Laura and Olimpia Mancini
arrived at Fontainebleau and were carefully educated.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
Their arrival was.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
At once made the subject of many satirical mazarinades which
appeared during the years of the Fronde. Each of the
three nieces eventually made a brilliant marriage. Anna Maria Martazzi
married the Prince of Conti, brother of Mongillen, while Lao
Romanchini married Louis of van Dome, Duke of Mercur and
(42:19):
eldest son of the Duke of Montdomes and brother of Beaufort.
And Olympia Manchini became Countess of Suoisson and mother of
Prince Eugene. Between sixteen forty five and sixteen forty seven,
Mazarin had to watch every movement of his enemies. Intrigues
were the order of the day, but the intriguers found
(42:41):
themselves outmatched by the cardinal, whose position was gaining in strength. Moreover,
he had successfully broken the union between Orleon and Onngient
by stirring up the jealousy which was always latent between
the families of Orleans and Conde. As the King's uncle
and Lieutenant General of France. Or Leon held a position
(43:04):
of influence, but he was weak and fickle, and Mazarin
had great difficulty in keeping him loyal to the true cause. He, however,
fully realized that it was only by decisive successes abroad
that a satisfactory piece could be secured, which would leave
his hands free to deal with his enemies at home.
(43:26):
Till that peace was made, he was forced to play
a waiting game to balance between parties, and to use
intrigue and corruption when forcible measures were required. The French
armies held the key of the situation, and Mazarin rightly
left no stone unturned to win brilliant and decisive victories.
(43:48):
At the end of sixteen forty six, the capture of
Dunkirk had strengthened the French military position. If a telling
blow could be struck at the Spanish power in Italy,
it was likely that Spain would realize the futility of
further resistance and would agree to the conditions of peace
which Mazarin as Minister had seriously put forward through the
(44:12):
French representatives early in sixteen forty six. End of Chapter
one
Chapter one of Mazarin. This is a LibriVox recording. All
LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information
or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by
Pamela and Agami Mazarin by Arthur Hassel, Chapter one, The
(00:24):
Early Years of Mazarin's Ministry sixteen forty three to sixteen
forty six. Richelia died on the fifth of December sixteen
forty two. On the following day, Louis the thirteenth announced
that he had chosen Mazarin to be first Minister. Giulio Mazzarini,
(00:46):
or jul Mazarin as the French call umn, was born
on July fourteenth, sixteen o two, at Piccina, a small
village in the Aarburuzzi. His father was a certain Sicilian
by name Pietro Mazzarini. His mother was Ortensia Buffalini, who
was renowned for her beauty. To the latter, the young
(01:09):
Giulio owed much of his future success, for it was
due to her efforts that he first studied under the
Jesuits at the Roman College and later at the University
of al Calla in Spain. He had early shown signs
of uncommon talents, and he was, at the age of sixteen,
remarkable for his handsome face and natural brightness. Ona's return
(01:33):
to Rome about the year sixteen twenty two, he entered
the Pontifical Army, only to find that his reo mattie
was diplomacy. He had studied civil law and had taken
his degree of Doctor introquiure, and under Cardinals Babarini and
Saccheti he plunged into the tangled maze of Italian politics.
(01:58):
Service under the Pope gave him an unrivaled opportunity of
making himself acquainted with the political state of Europe and
of practicing that adroitness and persuasiveness which proved so valuable
when he became First Minister in France. Idleness was never
one of his faults, and during these years in the
(02:20):
service of his master at the Vatican, Mazarin showed himself indefatigable, subtle.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
And successful.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
By his patients in industry, he soon acquired an insight
into diplomatic mysteries.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Until the end of his life was pre eminently.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
A diplomatist of the first order.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
His ability was fully.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Recognized by the Cardinals Barberini and Saccheti, and the war
of the Manchuan succession brought him into contact with Richelieu.
On March thirtieth, sixteen thirty, the French had captured piin Neolo,
the fortress command the exit of the chief passed from
Dauphine into Italy. The Spaniards and imperialists offered to negotiate,
(03:08):
and Mazarin, who was employed as papal legate, attracted the
notice of the French cardinal. The negotiations came to nothing,
as Richelia refused to yield Pinerolo. When later in the
year Casale, besieged by Spinola, was hard pressed, Mazarin, in
the absence of Richelia, who had returned to France, arranged
(03:31):
a truce at Ravalta on September fourth, very much to
the advantage of the beleaguered garrison. It is not to
be wondered at that Richelia should have decided to secure
the services of the young Mazarin, for whom he procured
a cardinal's hat. Richelia's confidence in his protegee was not misplaced,
(03:55):
and on his death bed he recommended Mazarin to Louis
as his successor, Before, however, Mazarin could establish himself firmly
in power and continue and complete his predecessor's policy, Louis
the thirteenth died, and an opportunity was given for an
outbreak of all the discontent which had been seeding in
(04:17):
France during Richelia's later years. Louis died on May fourteenth,
sixteen forty three. On May eighteenth, the Parliament of Paris,
anticipating the action of its successor in seventeen fifteen, on
the death of Louis the fourteenth, abolished the Council, which,
(04:38):
by the will of the late king had been set up,
placing the supreme power in the hands of the Queen
Mother Anne of Austria, uneasy natured, but at the same
time a proud and capable woman, and appointed Gaston, Duke
of Orleo, a mere puppet in the hands of any
strong man lieutenant General of the Kingdom. This conduct of
(05:01):
the Parliament and the attitude which it adopted was due
to the belief of its members that their political influence
would be restored, that Mazarin would retire to Italy, and
that the whole policy of Richelia would be reversed. The
Parliament had thus modified the will of the late king
(05:23):
and had organized the regency. It had, in a word,
returned again to political life, from which in sixteen forty
one it had been most carefully excluded by Richelia, And
during the greater portion of Louis the fourteenth Minority, it
played a prominent part in the politics of the time,
(05:46):
but its pretensions were odious to the Queen Mother and
to Mazarin, who, while endeavoring till the outbreak of the
Frond to preserve internal peace, was always jealous of any
attacks on them royal prerogative. In her attitude of constant
watchfulness over her son's rights, Anne was ever loyally supported
(06:09):
by the Cardinal, whom the Parliament regarded with reason as
its principal foe. The Parliament had expected that Anne would
prove pliable and carry out its wishes. Before long, however,
the Queen Mother definitely indicated the position which as regent
(06:30):
she intended to adopt, and from that moment the rift
between the Parliament and the government became deeper and deeper.
On the evening of May eighteenth, the Queen Mother announced
the decision, which proved to be a momentous one in
the history of the French monarchy. Mazarin was confirmed in
(06:53):
his position as First Minister, and the hopes of the
parliament were disappointed. The work of consolidating the French monarchy
was not to be interrupted, and the policy of humbling
the Austro Spanish house was to be continued. Hatred of
Richelia as first Minister had been general among the noble
(07:15):
class during the greater part of Louis the thirteenth reign.
Anne's announcement presaged the continuance of a system of government
which was odious to the feudal as well as the
legal aristocracy. The disaffected therefore at once resolved to resist
(07:36):
the rule of Mazarin, and a system of uncompromising opposition
to the supremacy of an Italian adventurer was organized. The
situation of France was at this time extremely critical. Richelia's
death already had disastrous effects on the military administration, and
(07:59):
an energetic action on the part of the government was necessary.
Ammunition was deficient, supplies of all kinds were with difficulty forthcoming,
and the bonds of discipline had been seriously relaxed. While
the ranks were weakened by frequent desertions. General officers had
(08:20):
left their respective posts, and many of the subalterns were
absent from their duty. It seemed very doubtful if the
Army of the North would be able to take the field.
Equally serious had been the effects of the death of
the Great Cardinal on the stability of the government. Many
persons imprisoned or exiled by Richelieu now returned to Paris
(08:44):
and were ready to avenge their wrongs on his successor.
Anxious to secure pensions and offices, they were wanting in
political responsibility, and cared nothing for the welfare of France.
The return of these exiles rendered Mazarin's position unspeakably difficult
(09:04):
and forced him for a time to adopt a policy
of compromise. The issue was, however, plain, was the work
of crushing the great nobles and of making French influence
supreme on the continent. To be continued was the French monarchy.
To symbolize the unity of France. Mazarin embodied the continuance
(09:29):
and development of Richelieu's policy. He consistently aimed at abolishing
feudalism and making the monarchy supreme. Consequently, he at once
became the object of bitter attacks, All those who disapproved
of Richelieu's policy immediately ranged themselves in opposition to Mazarin
(09:52):
and resolved to abolish the post of First Minister. For
some ten years, the internal developedpment of France was checked,
while the feudal and legal aristocracies endeavored to regain their
lost positions, to reverse the foreign policy of the last
(10:12):
two reigns and to destroy Mazarin. In consequence of the
cessation of Richelia's drastic methods, the nobles and parliament did
succeed in plunging France into confusion, and by their action
fully justified the measures by which they were ultimately suppressed.
(10:35):
The new policy of leniency and concession in place of
that of stern repression, was however, seen after a few
years to have failed in every respect. But it was
not until sixteen fifty three that Mazarin was able to
remedy the evil results of the easy rule of Anne
(10:57):
of Austria from sixteen fours twenty three to sixteen forty eight,
and of his own neglect of the internal administration. Mazarin
during the first years of his ministry found himself in
a very difficult position. Unlike Richelieu, who was supported by
the king, Mazarin could only rely upon a woman and
(11:21):
a child, and Anne of Austria, by her good nature
and desire to satisfy everybody, made a stern policy for.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
The time impossible.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Opposed to him were powerful rivals and redoubtable enemies, and
while he had the management of the kingdom placed in
his hands, his work was continually hampered by the acts
of the Queen Mother's friends, who hitherto exiled and disgraced,
were returning in large numbers to France. Fortunately, he was
(11:54):
able to unravel the various plots formed against him in France,
while his intimate acquaintance with the political state of Europe
stood him in good stead in directing the foreign policy
of the kingdom. Before the first surprise occasioned by the
confirmation of Mazarin in his post as First Minister had
(12:14):
worn off, came the news of the decisive victory of Rocrois.
Nothing could have happened more opportunely for the minister. The
government was strengthened, its enemies confounded, and the early years
of the reign opened in brilliant fashion. Mazarin had fortunately
(12:36):
confirmed the Duke of Onngien, son of Prince Henry of Conde,
in the command of the Army of the North, his
genius for war not being at the time generally known,
the veteran Lopitale was chosen to guide and control his actions.
On assuming the command, on Guien's ascendancy was at once felt.
(13:00):
He restored the discipline and confidence of the army and
made preparations for taking the offensive. The Spanish army, however,
under Mello, forestalled his intentions, and as a preliminary to
the invasion of France and to a march upon Paris
by the valleys of the Marne and the Enns, the
Spanish general besieged the small fortress of Rocois, putting aside
(13:26):
lo Pitale's plea for caution on Guion, ably supported by Gascion,
a cavalry leader of great promise, rapidly advanced, and on
May nineteenth, sixteen forty three, the famous Battle of Rocois
was fought. The Spanish army, which included many Italians and Valloons,
(13:49):
numbered twenty seven thousand against their opponents twenty three thousand.
At first the French left wing was driven back and
the victory of Spain seemed assured. Pronuill's dash and skill
restored the fortunes of the day, and he won a
decisive victory over the renowned and experienced troops opposed to him.
(14:14):
For the first time in a hundred years, Spain suffered
a defeat at the hands of France until the fatal
Day of Blenheim, the ascendancy of French arms in Europe
was established. Tienville was at once besieged and, owing to
Onguilla's engineering skill, surrendered on August eighteenth. These successes strengthened
(14:41):
the hands of the Minister and enabled him to deal
in overwhelming blow at the Cabal of the Amportin, who
headed by the Duke of Beaufort, were conspiring to bring
about his downfall. The conspirators, who included the Duchess of
Chevreuse Richelia's old enemy and the most famous political schemer
(15:05):
of the day, The Bishop of Beauvais, an intriguer of
the first water, the most idiot of idiots, Montressor, who
had the outside of a cato but none of his virtues,
the Duchesse of Montbason and the beautiful Duchesse of Longueville,
two clever and unscrupulous court ladies, the Duke of Beaufort
(15:29):
and the rascally Abbe de la Riviere, had determined to
play upon Anne of Austria's good nature to destroy Richelia's
system and change his policy, and, in a word, to
seize the government. Mazarinin himself was alive to the hatred
which pursued Richelia's memory, and counseled toleration of all opinions.
(15:52):
Time he wrote, will avenge that great man of all
these insults, and those who blame him to day will
find out hereafter perhaps how much his guidance would have
been necessary to complete the happiness of the realm, the
happiness of which he has laid the foundation. Let us
then suffer the malice of ignorant and prejudiced minds to
(16:15):
evaporate freely, since opposition will only serve to irritate it.
These broad minded views failed to conciliate the Amportent, and
when the Duchess of Montbason was exiled for insulting the Queen,
Beaufort resolved to have the cardinal assassinated. The plot failed,
(16:37):
and on September second, Beaufort was arrested and the amportent
virtually ceased to exist. This vigorous action on the part
of the government was received with general satisfaction. The whole
population wrote Mazarin was overjoyed. It was now clearly manifest
that Don Mazarin's courtesy and gentleness bore a striking contrast
(17:01):
to the domineering manner of his predecessor. Richelia himself was
no less resolute than the Italian cardinal. Men recognized that
Richelia's mantle had indeed descended on Mazarin. N Nepamour Ellena
Quondage was the first line of Orndo, composed after the
(17:23):
coupdettas of September two, sixteen forty three, in which it
was wittily suggested that Mazarin was Richelia himself. Though the
Cardinal was now fully established in power and supported at
court by many devoted friends such as Antoine, Marshal of gramaud,
(17:44):
Rene Potier, the Count of trem Rogier du Precis, the
Marquis of Leancours, and others, he had many serious difficulties
to face. The Duke of Orleans and the Conde family
were mute, truly jealous and desirous of securing important provincial governments.
(18:05):
Henry Conde demanded Longdoc for himself and the estates of
Chantilly and don Martin. In fact, the whole of the
domains of his brother in law, Henry of Montmorenci on Gien,
was to have Burgundy, and as the Duke of Longueville,
Conde's son in law, was governor of Normandy. It was
(18:29):
evident that acquiescence with demands such as these would prove
highly detrimental to the development of the French monarchy. Or Leon,
on his part, demanded Champagne with Sedon. Cardinal Beacy had
advised Mazarin to bring about an understanding between Orleon and
(18:50):
Henri Conde, and to rule by their means. Mazarin, however,
made no attempt to carry out this suggestion. He preferred
the safer plan of playing them off, the one against
the other, and for carrying out this policy he was
by nature remarkably well suited. By giving long Doc on
(19:12):
which Conde had set his heart to Orleon, he preserved
the friendship with the latter and stirred up strife between
the two families. All through the year sixteen forty three.
The provincial question had occupied his mind. The increase in
taxation and the severity and dishonesty of the methods of
(19:33):
collecting taxes had caused great discontent in the country districts,
and in the autumn of sixteen forty three the peasants
of Ruagh rose, and their example was shortly afterwards imitated
by the people in lower Poitau, Saintge and Yangoumois Lan, Geron,
(19:54):
to whom had been committed the duty of suppressing the rising.
After meeting with serious resistance, stants put down the revolt
in Rueg with an armed force, but in the other
districts the nobles themselves took part in the risings, and
a state of things somewhat similar to that than existing
in England was created. A small army was promptly sent
(20:16):
to the disturbed districts, but measures of severity were rarely employed,
and a general amnesty was granted. By this mixture of
firmness in suppressing disorder and of humanity in sparing the people,
Mazarin succeeded by the beginning of sixteen forty four in
restoring order in the provinces. Like the Norman kings, Mazarin
(20:40):
had fully realized that it was politic to be generous
to the mass of the nation, who would be, if
well governed, a source of wealth to the crown. The
Queen's absolute intention, he wrote to the Intendant of Langdok, is,
that every possible facility may be given to the peace
people to pay the subventions which the inevitable necessity of
(21:04):
public affairs compels her Majesty to require from them. Meanwhile,
other but not less effective measures were taken to ensure
the stability of the government. Believing that the influence of
the episcopacy was used against him, and fearing lest the
Queen should be affected by it, Mazarin ordered some sixty
(21:28):
two bishops to return from.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Paris to their diocese.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
The cardinal's triumph over the nobles, the bishops, and the
court ladies was due in great measure to his personal
influence with the Queen.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
At the time, the strength of.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
This influence was never suspected, and Mazarin's fall was confidently anticipated.
The secret of this influence was, for two centuries a
source of difficulty. From Michelai's time, historians of high authority
have accepted the view that Mazarin and Anne of Austria
(22:08):
were united by marriage Mazarin had early gained not only
the admiration but also the affection of the Queen regent.
To this affection was due the fidelity with which Anne
adhered to the fortunes of the cardinal during the whole
of the Frond period. To this affection was due the
(22:28):
earlier and later triumphs of Mazarin, being only in Deacon's
orders Mazarin, though a cardinal, could lawfully marry. So far,
the anxieties of the government had been the natural outcome
of the changes consequent upon the deaths of Richelieu and
Louis the thirteenth. The initial difficulties of the new reign
(22:52):
had been overcome, and the rule of Anne of Austria
and of Mazarin had been apparently firmly established. It remained
to bring the war to a successful conclusion. To affect
this desirable end, large supplies of money were absolutely necessary.
Richelia had left the finances in a desperate condition. This
(23:15):
system of farming the taxes was a most ruinous one,
and it was only by borrowing at an exorbitant rate
of interest that funds could be procured. In sixteen forty four,
the expenditure had risen from ninety nine million livres in
sixteen forty two to one hundred and twenty four million,
(23:37):
of which fifty nine million never reached the treasury. It
was necessary to raise money, and during the contests of
the government with the Parliament of Paris, not only were
the glaring defects of the French financial system made apparent,
but many points of comparison between the situation in England
(23:57):
and that in France could be observed. Early in sixteen
forty four, Particelli de Meris, the dishonest Controller General of Finance,
imposed a tax of forty sous on every toise of
land built upon outside the walls of Paris. The inhabitants
(24:19):
affected appeal to the Parliament and a contest arose between
that body and the government. Simultaneously, in the provinces, riots
took place against the imposition of certain taxes.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
The danger of a.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
General uprising all over the country was a real one,
and before it the government recoiled. It was resolved to
withdraw the edict of the tois and to substitute a
tax daises which would not fall on the poorer classes.
By this tax, Emeri expected to obtain about forty millions
(24:54):
but the Parliament, on the suggestion of Omertallon, the Advocate General,
demanded that the whole of the legal class should be
exempted from the operation of this measure. As many others
also obtained exemption. It resulted that upon the farmers of
the revenue would fall the full force.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Of the exaction.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
This necessary but unpopular class at once raised a great outcry.
If they were abandoned by the court, they would no
longer furnish the required supplies, the public credit would be ruined,
and the government would be helpless. Recognizing that the numerous
exceptions had destroyed the utility of the tax Emeri at
(25:38):
once withdrew it, and in March sixteen forty five reimposed
the toisee. The opposition which this measure provoked was so
violent that Anne arrested and exiled some of the members
of the Parlament.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
In an interview.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Held previously, Anne had silenced the President Gallon with the
words teese vous juvouconnet vieux fou. In spite of the
energy shown by the government, Mazarin recognized the existence of
deep discontent in the country had it not been for
the victory of Onngien and Tourin at Nordlingen in August
(26:19):
of sixteen forty five, an early outbreak of the Fronde
might have taken place. The victory, however, enabled the court
to adopt a bold attitude, and Mazarin hoped that other successes,
such as that one at Nordlingen would enable him to
make a satisfactory peace, to be followed by the establishment
(26:40):
of order and prosperity in France. After the rou Crois
and Tillonville campaign, a force under Ronseau had penetrated into Germany,
where it was defeated in Dutlingen by Merci, the Austrian general.
That reverse was, however, compensated for by the French success
(27:00):
in three desperate battles at Freibourg in sixteen forty four,
where Turin and Conde both showed great skill. By the
end of sixteen forty four, French armies were an occupation
of the Rhine Valley. In sixteen forty five, Turin, like
Vilars in the Spanish Succession War, made an attempt to
(27:24):
unite with the Swedes in a concerted advance upon Vienna. Ragotsky,
Prince of Transylvania, had been won over by Masarin and
had engaged to aid the Swedish general Torstenson, while Turin
marched on Vienna through Schwabia.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Unfortunately for the.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Success of the scheme, Turin on May fifth, sixteen forty five,
was defeated at Mergenthine and Torstenson was incapacitated by illness.
Reinforced by on Gien and eight thousand men, Turin avenger
the check which he had received by aiding his brilliant
(28:04):
colleague to win the Battle of Nordlingen.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
On August third.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
In this desperate struggle, in which both sides suffered heavily,
Mercy was killed, but so severe were the French losses
that though the road to Vienna lay open, Turin was
unable to advance. Moreover, as Ragotsky and Torschtenson, who had
recovered from his illness, had both retreated, and as on
(28:30):
Guien was ill, it would have been folly to have
moved forward with a weakened force.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
As it was.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
However, the reputation of the French arms was fully re
established and the hands of the opposition, exultant after Morganhine,
were weakened. A few days after the Battle of Norderlingen,
Mazarin had achieved a valuable diplomatic success. Since the beginning
of sixteen forty four, Sweden and Denmark had been at war,
(29:01):
the result of Austrian intrigues at Copenhagen. Torstenson and Horne
thereupon invaded Denmark, leaving France to bear the weight of
the struggle in Germany. This diversion of the Swedish forces
tended to prolong the war against the Habsburgs, and Mazarin
hastened to intervene at Copenhagen and Stockholm in favor of peace.
(29:27):
He was supported by the presence of a Dutch fleet
in the Baltic Preliminaries of peace were signed at the
end of the year sixteen forty four, and Torstenson returned
to Germany with his troops. Under the mediation of the
French ambassador La Tuilerie. Conferences between the Danish and Swedish
(29:48):
envoys were opened at brom Sebro, influenced by the successes
of the Swedes in Germany and Bohemia, where in April
Torschtenson defeated the Austrian at Jankovitz, and by the determination
of the Dutch to support Sweden. Christian the fourth of
Denmark consented to the proposed terms, and on August fourteenth,
(30:12):
sixteen forty five, the Treaty of Bromesbreux was signed. France
had not only brought about peace, but had secured definite
territorial advantages for her ally. At the same time, Masarin
recognized the advantage of conciliating Denmark, and on November twenty fifth,
sixteen forty five, he made a treaty with that power,
(30:36):
advantageous to French commerce. He also endeavored to strengthen the
French alliance with Poland and Transylvania, and spared no pains
to gain for France the position of protectress of the
German princes and German liberties. The military successes of Turin
and on Guien in Germany, of Gascion and Ronseaus in
(30:59):
flams and of Arcour and La Motte Udancour in Spain
tended to place France in the first rank among the
European powers. This position had been won by an unpopular
Italian cardinal, who, while conducting complicated negotiations and superintending distant
(31:21):
military operations, was engaged at home in a continuous struggle
with a violent and unpatriotic opposition and with increasing financial difficulties.
Taking advantage of the victory of Nordlingen, Mazarin determined to
strike a blow at the opposition without delay. On September seventh,
(31:45):
sixteen forty five, a few weeks after Nordlingen, a li
de justice was held. The Parliament adopted a submissive tone
and registered nineteen financial edicts, creating many new offices and
taxing various trades, while the government wisely withdrew the tois
and the tax deses. Mazarin had triumphed, but his triumph
(32:11):
was mainly due to the opportune victory of Nordlingen. This
success gave the government three years of breathing time, during
which the opposition of the parliament to the minister increased.
For the moment, however, Mazarin had won a distinct success.
His power increased, and he was given the duty of
(32:34):
superintending the education of the young king. In spite of
his momentary triumph over his enemies, the opposition to the
minister grew steadily. During the years succeeding the Battle of Nordlingen.
Mazarin was continually attacked both openly and covertly. By his enemies,
even or Leon. Influenced by such men as Louis Dastarac,
(32:59):
the Marquis of Fontrai, one of the most dangerous characters
of the day, and by the ambitious Duchesse of Mombason,
took up an attitude of opposition which, while not a
serious danger, tended further to increase the difficulties of the government.
More dangerous was the hostility of Henri of Condei. His
(33:24):
hatred of Mazarin had never ceased, and he now took
advantage of the Battle of Nordlingen to demand for his
son on Gien the sovereignty of Charleville Surmeuse. On Mazarin's refusal,
Condei took every opportunity, in conjunction with the Count of Chavigni,
to oppose and hamper the minister. At the same time,
(33:47):
Paul Gondi, coadjutor of his uncle the Archbishop of Paris,
began his celebrated career of hostility to Mazarin and to
the French government. Richelie would have got short these numberless
intrigues by arrests and executions, Mazarin met them by dissimulation
(34:09):
and adept himself in the art of intrigue. He eventually
defeated his enemies with their own weapons, But the opposition
was so widespread and had now by the leniency of
the government, been allowed to become so powerful, that there
is little doubt that, in spite of Nordlingen and other victories,
(34:30):
Mazarin would have been driven from France had he not
continued to possess the full confidence and affection of the
Queen Regent. If, as has been taken for granted, the
Cardinal and Anne of Austria were united by a secret marriage,
it is easy to explain the constant support which Mazarin
received from Anne. In sixteen forty six, the intrigues continued.
(34:55):
The French on June fourteenth had been defeated at Orbitello,
and the defeat had given the signal for renewed attacks
on the Minister, while Ongan's capture of Dunkirk later in
the year, so far from strengthening the government, only served
to render more emphatic the contrast between the plans of
(35:16):
the Minister and those of the general. The tax on
Mazarin and the Queen were circulated. The period of Mazarinad's
had definitely begun ignoring these anonymous publications. Mazarin now took
steps to check his enemies.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Or Leon, who had.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Returned to Paris in September of sixteen forty six after
the capture of Mardike, was not again given a command.
Henry of Conde was treated with quiet contempt and not
allowed any active share in the administration. The siege of
Mardike was only an operation preliminary to the more important
(35:56):
siege of Dunkirk. Mazarin's heart was set on its cap,
which he hoped would prove to be the first step
toward the conquest of the Spanish Netherlands. He spared no
pains to attain success. He conciliated on Guillen. He increased
the army in Flanders by recruits from Ireland, Scotland and Poland.
(36:17):
To his expenditure of time and money was due the
fall of Dunkirk, for without Mazarin's elaborate preparations on Guillen's
brilliant military qualities could have effected nothing. The majority of
the leading officers in the French army regarded the enterprise
as hopeless, but Mazarin never lost heart and his views
(36:39):
were readily accepted by Ongien, whose optimism was usually justified,
Mazarin rightly attached great importance to the action of the Dutch.
A diversion by the Stadtholder would have most beneficial results,
and a large portion of the Spanish army would be
held in czech Unfortunately, the Stadtholder fell ill at the moment,
(37:03):
but after some delay the States General decided to take
the offensive, and as Mazarin had anticipated, a portion of
the Spanish forces was detached to watch the Dutch. In
September sixteen forty six, Dunkirk was isolated. The Dutch fleet
under Tromp prevented any reinforcements from entering the port of Dunkirk,
(37:26):
and Tromp was joined by fifteen French ships. The Spaniards
were helpless to the English Parliament. They appealed for aid,
but England was in the throes of civil war and
neither party could spare troops to assist Spain. The success
of Mazarin's foreign policy during these years was in great
(37:47):
measure due to the continuance of the civil war in England.
One of the cardinal points of English policy was to
watch with jealousy any advance of the French toward Flanders.
Had England been under a settled government, there is no
doubt effective aid would have been given to the Spaniards
and Dunkirk would not have fallen into French hands as
(38:11):
it was. The English Parliament, though much excited at the
prospect of the French capture of Dunkirk, could do nothing,
and Onngien pressed on his attacks upon the town. Its governor,
the Marquis of Lead, was a brave man, and his
defense of Dunkirk forms one of the most famous episodes
in the war. He was only equalled in courage and
(38:34):
recklessness by on Gien, who perpetually was in danger of
losing his life. At last, a portion of the ramparts
were destroyed by a mine and a breach affected. Further
resistance was rendered useless. On October eleventh, sixteen forty six,
the garrison marched out of Dunkirk with all the honors
(38:57):
of war, and Hanseau was made governor. The capture of
Dunkirk proved most advantageous to France, for hitherto it had
been a nest of pirates who prayed on the French merchantmen.
The Dutch did not, however, view on Gillen's success with
tranquil feelings. The inhabitants of Zeeland feared that their commerce
(39:19):
would suffer from the competition of Dunkirk, and were not
reassured by Mazarin's promise that during the continuance of the war,
at any rate, the French government would not be able
to think much about trade. The capture of Dunkirk, though
it proved to be the first step toward the rupture
of the Dutch and French alliance, remains the glorious exploit
(39:42):
on the part of mont Gillen and reflects immense credit
on Mazarin's preparations and diplomacy. Notwithstanding the check at Orbitello
in Italy, the year sixteen forty six was a fortunate
one in the history of the minor minority of Louis
the fourteenth. In the Netherlands, the Spaniards had lost Courtrey, Mardike,
(40:07):
Fiune and Dunkirk. In Italy, the French had occupied Piombino
and Porto Lagone. Over Poland, Sweden and Denmark, French influence
was supreme. In spite, however, of the general success of
the French arms and diplomacy, the hostility to Mazarin never ceased,
and any check to his policy was greeted with joy.
(40:31):
All the elements of the Fronde struggle were being rapidly accumulated,
and every detail of Mazarin's private life was seized and
enlarged upon by his enemies. His avarice and his care
for his relations gave opportunities which his opponents were not
slow to use, while his foreign origin always rendered his
(40:53):
position in France a difficult one. From sixteen forty six onwards,
Mazarin he definitely began to amass wealth and to use
the advancement of his relations as a means of strengthening
his own position in France. In sixteen forty seven he
forced the Pope Innocent the tenth to make his brother
(41:15):
Michel Mazarin a cardinal, and in the same year his
nieces and nephews began to arrive in France in order
to share the fortunes of their uncle. One of his
sisters had married a Marte Nozzi and had two daughters.
The other, Signora Mancini, had no less than ten children.
In sixteen forty seven, Anna Maria, the elder of the
(41:39):
two Martinozzi children, and one son and two daughters of
Signora Mancini, well known later as Laura and Olimpia Mancini
arrived at Fontainebleau and were carefully educated.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
Their arrival was.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
At once made the subject of many satirical mazarinades which
appeared during the years of the Fronde. Each of the
three nieces eventually made a brilliant marriage. Anna Maria Martazzi
married the Prince of Conti, brother of Mongillen, while Lao
Romanchini married Louis of van Dome, Duke of Mercur and
(42:19):
eldest son of the Duke of Montdomes and brother of Beaufort.
And Olympia Manchini became Countess of Suoisson and mother of
Prince Eugene. Between sixteen forty five and sixteen forty seven,
Mazarin had to watch every movement of his enemies. Intrigues
were the order of the day, but the intriguers found
(42:41):
themselves outmatched by the cardinal, whose position was gaining in strength. Moreover,
he had successfully broken the union between Orleon and Onngient
by stirring up the jealousy which was always latent between
the families of Orleans and Conde. As the King's uncle
and Lieutenant General of France. Or Leon held a position
(43:04):
of influence, but he was weak and fickle, and Mazarin
had great difficulty in keeping him loyal to the true cause. He, however,
fully realized that it was only by decisive successes abroad
that a satisfactory piece could be secured, which would leave
his hands free to deal with his enemies at home.
(43:26):
Till that peace was made, he was forced to play
a waiting game to balance between parties, and to use
intrigue and corruption when forcible measures were required. The French
armies held the key of the situation, and Mazarin rightly
left no stone unturned to win brilliant and decisive victories.
(43:48):
At the end of sixteen forty six, the capture of
Dunkirk had strengthened the French military position. If a telling
blow could be struck at the Spanish power in Italy,
it was likely that Spain would realize the futility of
further resistance and would agree to the conditions of peace
which Mazarin as Minister had seriously put forward through the
(44:12):
French representatives early in sixteen forty six. End of Chapter
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