Régence

Quick Facts: Who was Régence?

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Régence

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The period in French history (1715–1723) when the Duke of Orléans governed for a minor king.

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Origins & Early Life

The Régence (French pronunciation: [ʁeʒɑ̃s], Regency) was the period in French history between 1715 and 1723 when King Louis XV was considered a minor and the country was instead governed by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (a nephew and son-in-law of Louis XIV) as prince regent. This was not the only regency in French history, but the name is nevertheless associated with this period. Philippe was able to take power away from Louis-Auguste, Duke of Maine (illegitimate son of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan) who had been the favourite son of the late king and possessed much influence. From 1715 to 1718 the Polysynody changed the system of government in France, in which each minister (secretary of state) was replaced by a council. The système de Law was also introduced, which transformed the finances of the bankrupted kingdom and its aristocracy.

Career & Major Achievements

Both Cardinal Dubois and Cardinal Fleury were highly influential during this time. Contemporary European rulers included Philip V of Spain, John V of Portugal, George I of Great Britain, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, and Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia, the maternal grandfather of Louis XV. 29 July 1714: the Duke of Maine and the Count of Toulouse, Louis XIV's bastard sons, are made Princes of the Blood. 1 September 1715: Louis XIV dies, his will entrusts the government of France to a regency council, with Philippe II, Duke of Orléans as an honorary president and the Duke of Maine as the real power, until his great-grandson and successor, the five-year old Louis XV, reaches his majority (13 years old) in 1723. 2 September 1715: the Duke of Orléans allies himself with the Parlement of Paris, who cancelled Louis XIV's will.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As a Prince of the Blood, Philippe of Orléans had been a member of the Parlement. 9 September: Body of Louis XIV taken to the Basilica of Saint-Denis; Louis XV sets off for Château de Vincennes with the Regent, Madame de Ventadour, Villeroi, Toulouse and Maine; Philip V of Spain hears of his grandfather's death; 12 September: Philippe of Orléans recognised Regent by order of the Parlement; 15 September: Parlement claims the Droit de remontrance, the right to revoke a law made by a King who had died, further supporting the Regent's claim to power. 1 October 1715: Polysynody was held in Paris; it was composed of the highest nobility of the country. 30 December: Removal of Louis XV from the Château de Vincennes to the Tuileries Palace; Louis XV put under the care of François de Neufville, Duke of Villeroi; Guillaume Delisle and the Cardinal Fleury are put in charge of Louis' education. 2 May: Philippe d'Orléans allows John Law to found the Banque générale; 27 June: Birth of Louise Diane d'Orléans at the Palais-Royal; she was the last child of the Regent; 9/10 October: Alliance with Great Britain; Triple Alliance (1717); a treaty between the Dutch Republic, France and Great Britain, against Spain, attempting to maintain the agreement of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; 31 March: The Regent's second surviving daughter Louise Adélaïde takes the veil and becomes a nun under the name of Sœur Sainte-Bathilde.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1714: 1714 Milestone — 29 July 1714: the Duke of Maine and the Count of Toulouse, Louis XIV's bastard sons, are made Princes of the Blood.
2. 1715: 1715 Milestone — The Régence (French pronunciation: [ʁeʒɑ̃s], Regency) was the period in French history between 1715 and 1723 when King Louis XV was considered a minor and the country was instead governed by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (a nephew and son-in-law of Louis XIV) as prince regent.
3. 1717: 1717 Milestone — 2 May: Philippe d'Orléans allows John Law to found the Banque générale; 27 June: Birth of Louise Diane d'Orléans at the Palais-Royal; she was the last child of the Regent; 9/10 October: Alliance with Great Britain; Triple Alliance (1717); a treaty between the Dutch Republic, France and Great Britain, against Spain, attempting to maintain the agreement of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; 31 March: The Regent's second surviving daughter Louise Adélaïde takes the veil and becomes a nun under the name of Sœur Sainte-Bathilde.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Régence

True or False: “The period of the Régence was solely characterized by financial mismanagement and aristocratic excess.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While excesses occurred, the period also saw major governmental reforms like the introduction of the système de Law to transform national finances.

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