When Louis XVI was enthroned in 1774, the currents of European favour were running fresh and strong for ‘enlightened despotism’. France had nearly three times the population of England, great agricultural resources, an upwardly mobile textile industry, splendid roads and canals, a large, successful fleet, and a foreign trade which had increased by 500% since the death of Louis XIV (the ‘Sun King’ who set France on her feet, but also built the Palace of Versailles). But France was troubled with deeply grave domestic problems.

Continue reading »