1661. Louis XIV. takes the administration of affairs in France into his own hands.
1667-1668. Louis XVI. makes war in Spain, and conquers a large part of the Spanish Netherlands.
1672. Louis makes war upon Holland, and almost overpowers it, Charles II. of England is his pensioner, and England helps the French in their attacks upon Holland until 1674. Heroic resistance of the Dutch under the Prince of Orange.
1674. Louis conquers Franche-Comte.
1679. Peace of Nimeguen.
1681. Louis invades and occupies Alsace.
1682. Accession of Peter the Great to the throne of Russia.
1685. Louis commences a merciless persecution of his Protestant subjects.
1688. The glorious Revolution in England. Expulsion of James II. William of Orange is made King of England. James takes refuge at the French court, and Louis undertakes to restore him. General war in the west of Europe.
1691. Treaty of Ryswick. Charles XII. becomes King of Sweden.