The Fronde

The Fronde

In the mid-seventeenth century a series of revolts occurred in France due to conflicts in the government. There were two major uprisings, the first of which is called the Fronde of Parliament and the second is the Fronde of the Princes.

Fronde of Parliament
1. Took place between 1648 and 1649
2. Three of the major causes
a. The Parliament of Paris tried to limit the power of King Louis XIV
b. The nobility was threatened by the king and wanted more of a voice in the government.
c. The people were unhappy with the tax burdens they had dealt with under Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin
3. The Fronde began when Anne of Austria (Louis XIV's mother) and Cardinal Mazarin (Anne's advisor) introduced a new proposal to raise money for the financial backing of the Thirty Years' War. This plan would require the government officials to give up four years' salary.
4. Parliament and the high courts rejected the plan and drafted another plan limiting the royal authority
5. In retaliation Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin ordered the arrest of the leaders of parliament who had opposed them.
6. The populous {people} protested by barricading the streets of Paris until Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin were forced to release the government officials they had arrested.
7. When the Thirty Years' War ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 royal troops were now available to suppress the Fronde
8. A compromise was finally reached between parliament and the royal family in March of 1649


Fronde of the Princes.

1. Began as a conflict between Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Conde, and Cardinal Mazarin.
2. The Prince de Conde’s plots to seize power resulted in his arrest in January of 1650.
3. Cardinal Mazarin was forced to release Conde when a number of nobles united demanding his release. Cardinal Mazarin then fled to Germany in February, 1651 and Conde attempted to overthrow the government with open warfare
4. As soon as Louis XIV was old enough to claim the full power of the throne, He did so and Conde fled France
5. Conde formed an alliance with Spain but was defeated. After the defeat, the Fronde disintegrated and the humiliated princes reconciled with the government {Louis XIV}