This book is a comprehensive history of France during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a period of great political and cultural change. The book provides a detailed account of the reigns of Henry IV, Louis XIII, and Louis XIV, as well as the intellectual and artistic movements of the time. It also includes maps, illustrations, and biographical information about key figures of the period. The book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of France and Europe. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.