Mazarin, Jules, Cardinal

(1602-1661) (Giulio Mazarini)

   cardinal, statesman

   Of Italian origin, Jules Mazarin (Giulio Mazarini), who controlled the French government during the minority of King louis XIV and helped make France the predominant European power, was born in Pescina, in the Abruzzi (Italy). A protégé, like other members of his family, of the Roman Colonna princes, Mazarin went from serving in the papal army to diplomacy. on a mission to Paris (1630), he met armand jean du plessis, cardinal de riche-lieu, and henceforth he was in the service of France. In 1631, he helped Richelieu gain the Treaty of Pignerol. Nuncio to Paris (1635-36), he was named cardinal by Richelieu (although he was never ordained), and Mazarin soon became his principal collaborator after the death of père joseph. Because of Mazarin's intelligence and ability, King louis x III gave him the direction of the Royal Council upon Richelieu's death. upon Louis's death in 1643, his widow, the regent, Queen anne of Austria, chose him as her chief minister and tutor to the young king louis XIV. Mazarin, who most likely was the queen's lover (perhaps they even married), continued Richelieu's absolutist policies, asserting royal authority at home and French authority abroad. He successfully concluded the thirty years' war (Treaty of Westphalia), weakened Habsburg power, and gained alsace for France. However, because of his insensi-tivity to conditions at home, mainly the high taxes and food shortages caused by the war, Mazarin was unpopular. in 1648, his arrest of a dissident magistrate sparked the fronde rebellion. Hatred of Mazarin unified the population of Paris and the nobility in a struggle against royal absolutism. Anne, Louis, and Mazarin were driven out of Paris. Eventually, the royal family returned, but Mazarin went into exile in Germany, from where he directed the suppression of the rebellion. He returned victorious to Paris in 1653 and devoted himself to training Louis XIV in government, diplomacy, and military affairs. The final achievement of his political career was the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), which ended long hostilities with spain, gained the provinces of Roussillon and Artois for France, and acquired a Spanish bride for Louis XIV. Mazarin, who continued the work of Richelieu, remained in power until his death, and left Louis XIV the legacy of absolutist rule. He had also, in his lifetime, amassed a large fortune, enriching himself and his family (see mancini family), acquired a magnificent art collection and a library that he donated to the state (the present Bibliothèque Mazarine), and founded the Collège des Quatre-Nations (the present Institut de France) and the Academy of Painting and sculpture.