OCR Specification focus:
‘Sully’s reforms aided recovery; Henry IV’s assassination (1610) left a complex legacy to his heir.’
Henry IV’s reign ended dramatically with his assassination in 1610, yet his government under the stewardship of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, left significant achievements in finance, administration, and recovery from civil war. His reforms both strengthened royal authority and exposed limitations, creating a mixed legacy for Louis XIII.
Sully’s Achievements
Financial Reform
Sully, as Superintendent of Finances, undertook extensive fiscal reforms after decades of costly religious conflict.
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully (engraving by Jacob Matham, 1612). Shown in formal bust, this image evokes Sully’s authority as Henry IV’s chief financial minister. The engraving medium underscores the period’s dissemination of statesmen’s likenesses through reproducible prints. Source
Reduced expenditure by tackling corruption and cutting unnecessary court costs.
Improved revenue collection by enforcing stricter oversight of tax-farming (a system where private financiers collected taxes).
Promoted frugality in royal spending, often clashing with Henry IV’s taste for grandeur.
Repayment of royal debt stabilised France’s fragile credit and restored confidence among financiers.
Tax-farming: The practice by which the crown outsourced tax collection to private individuals or companies in return for fixed payments, often leading to corruption and inefficiency.
Financial prudence provided resources for administrative consolidation and limited military investment, although heavy taxation still fell disproportionately on the Third Estate.
Agricultural and Economic Policies
Sully pursued the vision of a kingdom rooted in rural prosperity. His maxim, “Labourage et pâturage sont les deux mamelles de la France” (ploughing and grazing are the two breasts of France), symbolised his priorities.
Encouraged agricultural revival by lowering internal tolls.
Restored farmlands devastated by civil war through loans and grants.
Promoted infrastructure: improved roads, bridges, and the canal system.
Equestrian statue of Henry IV on the Pont Neuf, Paris. Although installed in 1614 after the king’s death, it symbolises the urban renewal associated with Henry IV’s reign and Sully’s infrastructural priorities. The image includes post-1610 commemorative detail, which extends beyond the syllabus but usefully illustrates “legacy.” Source
Supported free trade in grain, opposing local restrictions.
These measures boosted the rural economy, though urban and mercantile interests often felt neglected.
Religious and Administrative Contributions
Although a Huguenot, Sully worked closely with the Catholic king Henry IV, particularly after the Edict of Nantes (1598) had settled religious strife.
As a Protestant minister, he symbolised Henry’s commitment to religious toleration.
Strengthened royal control over the provinces by enforcing fiscal discipline on governors.
Expanded venal office-holding to consolidate loyalty, while also limiting abuses where possible.
Sully’s personal integrity made him both respected and resented; many nobles saw him as overbearing and authoritarian.
Military and Foreign Policy
Sully was cautious in foreign ventures, focusing on domestic stability.
Rebuilt the royal artillery and improved fortifications.
Favoured a defensive posture rather than costly wars.
Promoted Henry IV’s long-term dream of a “Grand Design” to balance European powers, though this vision died with Henry.
By prioritising fiscal recovery over external campaigns, Sully helped France recover strength for future generations.
The Assassination of Henry IV (1610)
On 14 May 1610, Henry IV was assassinated in Paris by François Ravaillac, a Catholic zealot.
“Histoire de Paris” plaque for Rue de la Ferronnerie, the street where Henry IV was killed in 1610. The marker situates the assassination within the topography of early-seventeenth-century Paris. The plaque includes extra local-history detail beyond the syllabus but directly identifies the site. Source
The king’s death shocked France, destabilising a fragile peace.
Henry’s assassination ended ambitious reforms and halted planned intervention in European conflicts.
Sully lost his protector; his influence declined rapidly under the regency of Marie de’ Medici.
Regency: The system of government exercised on behalf of a monarch who is too young or otherwise unable to rule, often creating tensions with established ministers.
Marie de’ Medici distrusted Sully, removed him from office, and reversed much of his influence.
Sully’s Legacy
Successes
Sully’s legacy is defined by stability and recovery after decades of civil war.
Restored royal solvency through careful fiscal management.
Established infrastructural foundations for long-term economic growth.
Symbolised administrative centralisation and discipline.
Demonstrated the possibility of religious cooperation within government.
Limitations
Yet Sully’s reforms had inherent weaknesses.
Reliance on heavy taxation bred resentment among commoners.
Nobility and courtiers opposed his austerity and Protestant identity.
His reforms were closely tied to Henry IV’s authority and could not outlast the king’s assassination.
Sully’s fall from influence highlighted the fragility of ministerial reform when dependent on a strong monarch.
Historical Significance
Sully represents the broader trend of proto-absolutism: ministers strengthening the monarchy’s financial and administrative base. However, his Protestantism and unpopularity at court limited his capacity to forge a lasting system.
His dismissal under Marie de’ Medici shows the volatility of French politics before Louis XIII and Richelieu, who would continue the path of centralisation and absolutism.
Key Points for OCR Study
Sully’s reforms consolidated stability after the French Wars of Religion.
His financial prudence contrasted with Henry IV’s ambitions but ensured solvency.
His Protestant faith and austere style made him unpopular at court.
Henry IV’s assassination (1610) removed Sully’s power base, leading to his political eclipse.
His legacy was a foundation for later absolutist policies, but also a reminder of the dependence of ministers on royal protection.
FAQ
Sully’s austerity measures reduced court expenditure, angering nobles and courtiers who relied on lavish spending and patronage.
His Protestant faith also made him a target in a predominantly Catholic court, while his blunt, authoritarian manner alienated potential allies.
Many nobles saw him as an obstacle to their own ambitions, especially as he curbed corruption and sought tighter royal control over offices and finances.
Marie de’ Medici quickly sidelined Sully, removing him from financial office.
Some of his measures, such as reduced expenditure, were reversed in favour of greater court spending.
His departure allowed noble factions to regain influence, undermining central control.
Although some infrastructural improvements endured, the broader fiscal discipline weakened under the regency.
Sully and Henry IV shared a long-standing bond dating back to military campaigns.
Sully’s loyalty was unwavering, even during the Wars of Religion.
Henry valued his integrity and financial skill, relying on him to stabilise France.
Despite personal differences—Henry’s love of splendour contrasted with Sully’s frugality—their partnership was built on trust and mutual respect.
Sully’s Protestantism reinforced the idea of tolerance within Henry IV’s administration.
It gave symbolic weight to the Edict of Nantes (1598), demonstrating that a Protestant could hold high office without threatening the monarchy’s Catholic legitimacy.
However, his faith limited his popularity at court and among Catholic factions, fuelling resentment and contributing to his eventual removal after Henry’s death.
Sully’s emphasis on financial solvency and centralised control over provinces set a precedent for later reforms.
His focus on strengthening infrastructure foreshadowed Richelieu’s interest in national integration.
The use of ministerial authority to enforce royal will demonstrated how strong officials could underpin monarchic power.
Although his Protestantism prevented him from becoming a model in all respects, his methods of stabilising the state informed the development of early absolutism.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year was Henry IV assassinated, and who killed him?
Mark scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year 1610.
1 mark for correctly identifying the assassin François Ravaillac.
(Maximum 2 marks)
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two ways in which Sully’s financial or economic reforms contributed to the recovery of France after the Wars of Religion.
Mark scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each valid explanation (maximum 6 marks).
1 mark for identifying a reform, such as reduction of expenditure, reorganisation of tax-farming, promotion of agriculture, or investment in infrastructure.
1 additional mark for explaining how the reform functioned (e.g., cutting corruption, improving revenue collection, lowering tolls, supporting farmland restoration).
1 further mark for linking the reform to broader recovery or stability (e.g., restored royal credit, boosted rural economy, improved national infrastructure).
