Louis XIV

Reigning from 1643 to 1715 as French King, Louis XIV is the longest-reigning monarch in history. During his reign, Louis XIV epitomised the Age of Absolutism. Enlargening his Versailles castle, Louis hosted French nobility and concentrated state power in his hands. His unrestricted rule also made him known as "The Sun King". In his efforts to consolidate power, Louis XIV built on Richelieu's previous efforts to establish the "raison d'état". The concept of "raison d'état" helped Louis XIV reign unrestrained by religious or other non-state interests.