AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY 7042/2F [Component 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715 ]QUESTIONS & MARKING SCHEME MERGED ||GRADED A+||

Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From a book by Marshal d’Estrées, published in France, 1666. D’Estrées was a leading French general before becoming the French ambassador in Rome,1636–48. Until the end of 1647, it seemed that the calm, authoritarian spirit of Cardinal de Richelieu had continued, both in matters of war and within the court. But, after the Peace of Westphalia, France experienced a civil war so great it threatened the monarchy. Cardinal Mazarin, who until 1648 had steered France calmly and kindly, was greatly disadvantaged as he was not French and did not understand affairs of state. Continuing the war with Spain led to anger and rumours that Mazarin was enriching himself. During the King’s minority, he had sought to have authority above that of the other ministers and promoted his favourites. Mazarin did not understand why this caused such dissatisfaction and this was disastrous when combined with the pressures of continued war with Spain. There were disturbances. The finance minister, M. d’Emery, suggested that Mazarin set an example and use punishment to stop the revolutionaries. However, instead of stopping the Frondes, this only made things worse, and encouraged those who wished to challenge Mazarin’s power. 5 10 Source B From a letter to Abel Servien from Cardinal Mazarin, 14 August 1648. Servien was a French diplomat and friend of Mazarin. This letter was written shortly before the Parlementary Fronde. There is no part of France that is not corrupted. The Nobles of the Sword, who believe that they would benefit greatly from civil war, are already starting to cause trouble. The parlements of the kingdom are now imitating the Parlement of Paris and believe that they can do anything they please. From all directions, one only hears of disobedience or violence against the Crown’s tax farmers or those charged with the collection of money. I work myself to death for the glory of this Crown and for the individual happiness of each Frenchman. Meanwhile, the enemies of the state and those who hate me are spreading malicious rumours that I have amassed treasures and sent them to Italy. But, in truth, without a word of exaggeration, I borrow every day just to have enough to live on and to maintain my household. It is from pure wickedness that they continue to attempt to turn people against me. Above all else, they attack me principally because I am a foreigner. 5 10 3 IB/M/Jun23/7042/2F Turn over ► Source C From a mocking pamphlet published anonymously by Mazarin’s enemies in Paris, 1650. This pamphlet describes an imagined trial of Mazarin. Jules Mazarin is guilty of the following crimes: - For failing, on many occasions, to conclude a general peace with Spain - For having had various assassinations committed, of which there is sufficient proof that he alone is the person who plotted and planned these murders - For smuggling money out of the King’s treasury - For having wanted to starve the city of Paris - For having stolen food and sold it to France’s enemies - For seducing the Queen - For having caused the Frondes which have now been waging for two years in France - For having taxed the subjects of the King and tyrannically extorted from them immense sums to enrich himself and his family. All these crimes, having been proven and verified by all of the parlements of France, constitute a charge of treason of the highest order. Mazarin has, thereby, been condemned to death by hanging. Although the coward cannot currently be found, his portrait will be attached to the gallows for all to see. 5 10 15 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the role of Cardinal Mazarin in the Frondes.