FRENCH ARMIES OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR 1618-48

1-243830

Presents the development of the French army, one of the first standing armies in Europe, from 1617 to 1648. Details how Louis XIII and Richelieu made the most of the complex legacy of the Wars of Religion. Focuses on how Richelieu gave the king an ambition: 'to procure the ruin of the Huguenot party, humble the pride of the great, reduce all subjects to their duty, and elevate your majesty's name among foreign nations to its rightful reputation.' By his death, on December 4, 1642, this program had been accomplished.

Examines the first military action of this period -- the uprising of the nobility who supported the queen mother against the king in August 1620. Explores how the French kingdom created an increasingly efficient army due to the Wars of Religion and Richelieu's actions and achieved a great number of victories. Contains 35 black and white illustrations, 29 color illustrations, 12 color photos, 40+ graphs, and 6 maps.