4. She created the monarchy of Great Britain by laying the basis of union between England and Scotland.
5. She made England insular, but counterbalanced the disadvantages of insularity by encouraging maritime expansion.
SYLLABUS OF LESSON ON RICHELIEU.
| 1610. Louis XIII. | |
| Difficulties of Regent Mary de Medici. “The day of Kings is past, that of Grandees and Princes has arrived.” Her Spanish policy. Concini. | |
| 1614. | States-General, last of old Régime. Louis assumes government. Fall of Concini. Rise of De Luynes. Queen Mother becomes centre of disaffection. Guise. Bouillon. Mayenne. Epernon. Huguenots. |
| 1622. | Peace of Montpellier. Huguenots have only Rochelle and Montauban. |
| 1624. | Entrance into power of Richelieu. |
| RICHELIEU. | Born a leader of men. Genius of conception, force of will. Ideal, absolutism. Obstacle, feudal nobility; destroys their political vitality by increasing power of monarchy. 1. Substitutes Intendants for great Governors of Provinces. 2. Destroys feudal strongholds. 3. Brings nobles under the law; duelling, Montmorency; peculation, Marshal de Marillac; conspiracy, Cinq Mars. 4. States-General never meet. 5. Parlements restricted to judicial duties. 6. Heavy taxation. Cultivates three powerful alliances: 1. Men of letters; 2. Favour of commons; 3. Love of national glory. |
| Foreign | Policy. To substitute influence of France in Europe for Austro-Spanish power. Founder of an “occidental” policy. Two things necessary: 1. Balance of power; 2. Mutual religious toleration. Difficulties at home: 1. Spanish sympathies of Anne of Austria; 2. Huguenot struggles for independence. |
| Periods | of Richelieu’s Rule. |
| I. | The Valtelline Period, 1624-26. Richelieu enters European politics. Importance of Valtelline as connecting link between Austro-Spanish dominions. Seized in defiance of Treaty. Interference of Richelieu. Huguenot revolt. T. Montpellier pacifying them while he concludes Valtelline question in T. Monzon. |
| II. | Period of La Rochelle, 1626-28. Richelieu crushes all opposition at home to clear his way for decisive interference abroad. “La conspiration des Dames.” Vendome in Brittany. 1627. Buckingham’s expedition to Rhé. 1629. Fall of La Rochelle and Montauban. |
| III. | Period of absolute supremacy at home, 1629-35. Re-enters European politics, but only as a secondary power, in Thirty Years’ War. France acts again in Italy. Succession in Mantua and Montferrat. Valtelline question reopened, and again settled in favour of France. Day of Dupes, 11th Nov., 1630. T. of Cherasco, 1631. Intrigues of Gaston of Orleans with enemy. Richelieu acts with Gustavus Adolphus, the “Protestant Crusader”. Interests of France move to Lorraine border. Death of Gustavus indirect advantage to France. Richelieu’s terms with Bernard of Weimar. 1635. France declares war against Spain. |
| IV. | Period of France’s supremacy in Europe, 1635-43. 1636. Recovery of Corbie from Spanish. 1638. B. Rheinfeld. Fall of Brisach. 1639. Death of Bernard of Weimar. “Turning point of the contest,” from a useful ally was becoming a dangerous rival. Richelieu secures Alsace. Conspiracy of Cinq Mars. |
| 1642. | Death of Richelieu. Rise of Mazarin. |
LIST OF BOOKS.
The following lists have been drawn up with the help of several teachers of history, and are intended for the practical work of the school. They aim at giving the chief authorities for each period, besides other books dealing with special subjects. Where possible, the publisher and price have been given. Those who want more exhaustive lists and desire original authorities can find them in the syllabuses of the University Extension Lectures.
The historical stories have been chosen from lists furnished by pupils.
Text-books.
Gardiner. Student’s History. Longmans. 4/- a volume.
Vol. i., to 1509; vol. ii., 1509-1689; vol. iii., 1689-1885.