CHAPTER XXXI THE ASCENDENCY OF FRANCE UNDER LOUIS XIV I. Richelieu and his Policy of strengthening the Kingship Richelieu was evidently very desirous to leave to pos- terity a full account of his deeds and a complete justifica- tion of his policy. He undertook to collect material for an elaborate history of the reign of Louis XIII, but fear- ing that his frail constitution would never permit him to complete the work, he conceived it to be his duty to leave some statement, at least of the most needed re- forms, as a guide for the king when his minister should be dead. In this way Richelieu's famous " Political Tes- tament " originated. It opens as follows : 332. Riche- At the time when your Majesty resolved to 'admit me lieu's ac- both to your council and to an important place in your con- condition 0/ n dence for the direction of your affairs, I may say that the France when Huguenots shared the state with you; that the nobles con- he became ducted themselves as if they were not your subjects, and the in 1624. most powerful governors of the provinces as if they were sovereign in their offices. I may say that the bad example of all of these was so injurious to this realm that even the best regulated parle- ments 1 were affected by it, and endeavored, in certain cases, to diminish your royal authority as far as they were able in order to stretch their own powers beyond the limits of reason. I may say that every one measured his own merit by his audacity ; that in place of estimating the benefits which they 1 The higher law courts. 268
