A movement particularly in reign of King Louis XIV (r.1661-1715) to define the relationship between the pope and the French king in the affairs and rule of the nation. It seeks essentially to assert the national interest of France and to restrain the influence of the pope to interfere in the government of the French Church.
With the end of religious strife that came with the Treaty of Westphalia the European pricipalities could at last settle down to serious nation building in a manner not possible with the religious warfare that had occupied them during the previous century plus. As soon as Louis XIV came of majority he was focused on building an autocracy that would entertain no dissent, politically or religiously. The latter came from two possible sources: the protestant Huguenots and the Catholic.
©ALBERITH
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