Louis XIV's Army

Osprey Men at Arms #203

by René Chartrand, Francis Back (Illustrator)

Louis XIV's army was in many ways the first modern army. After assuming power in 1661, Louis abolished the post of Colonel Général of Infantry so he could exercise direct control over the armed forces in his realm. The king demanded order, discipline and absolute loyalty from his army, and he introduced a military draft in 1688 - the first step towards what we know as conscription in modern armies. This book chronicles the development of Louis XIV's army during his 54-year reign, including the units, uniforms and weapons of the elite Maison du Roi. Numerous illustrations portray the uniforms, colours and standards of his troops in vivid detail.

Genres: 18th Century, History, Military History, France, 17th Century

48 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 1988

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first rate introduction to the first true modern army. One point that was interesting was how the revocation of the Edict of Nantes hurt France, but Chartrand also points out how similar barbarism in Ireland assisted the French (a point often forgotten by Anglo-centric historians). As Chartrand says "it was not an era of religious toleration."

[Станислав · Rating 3 out of 5]

Блеск Версаля затмил тот факт, что основой политического могущества Франции со второй половины 17 по первую четверть 18 века являлась могучая армия. И Король-солнце был ещё и король-воин. В России помнят силу шведской армии, обозначенного периода и нелёгкую российскую победу, забывая, что наша Северная Война была частью все-европейского политического конфликта с целью остановить дальнейшее расширение Франции.
Как всегда: обо всём понемногу.

[Rob Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard Osprey - neither the best nor worst