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Cardinal Mazarin

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Cardinal Mazarin was a very important leader in France.

Simon vouet portrait du cardinal jules mazarin
Simon vouet portrait du cardinal jules mazarin

He was a diplomat and a politician. A diplomat is someone who travels to talk with leaders. They try to make deals to keep peace between lands. Mazarin was born in Italy on 14 July 1602. His family lived in Pescina and Rome. He was a very smart student. He even studied a comet when he was sixteen.

Jules Mazarin in 1632
Jules Mazarin in 1632

Later, he went to study law in Spain. He was known for being very charming and good at talking to people.

Mazarin learned how to be a diplomat by traveling a lot. He worked for the Pope in Rome first. He traveled between many cities like Milan and Mantua. He wanted to find solutions to problems before fighting started. One famous moment happened near the town of Casale. Two armies were ready to fight each other. Mazarin rode a horse toward them with a flag. He shouted "Peace! Peace!" to stop the battle.

Italian - Cardinal Mazarin Riding To Villafranca with the Treaty of Peace - Walters 371161
Italian - Cardinal Mazarin Riding To Villafranca with the Treaty of Peace - Walters 371161

This helped him find his first big success in diplomacy.

In 1640, Mazarin moved to Paris to work for France. He met Cardinal Richelieu, who became his mentor. After Richelieu died in 1642, Mazarin became the chief minister. He served King Louis XIII for a short time. Then he helped the young King Louis XIV.

Anne of Austria (Queen mother) with her two sons Louis XIV of France and Philippe, Duke of Orléans (unknown artist)
Anne of Austria (Queen mother) with her two sons Louis XIV of France and Philippe, Duke of Orléans (unknown artist)

Mazarin also worked with the Queen mother, Anne of Austria. She was the regent for the young king. He helped guide the government for nearly twenty years.

His time in power had many big events. There was a large uprising in Paris called the Fronde. This was a hard time where people fought against the government.

Mazarinade
Mazarinade

Mazarin had to lead the royal family away from the city for a while. He also helped France win during the Thirty Years' War. He helped create the Peace of Westphalia between 1646 and 1648. Later, he made a treaty with Spain in 1659.

Marriage of Louis XIV with Marie-Therese of Austria
Marriage of Louis XIV with Marie-Therese of Austria

He even arranged a marriage for Louis XIV to end a long war. These deals helped make France a very strong land.

Mazarin did not just work on politics. He also loved the arts and beautiful things. He brought Italian opera to the city of Paris. He collected many amazing works of art. Much of his collection is now in the Louvre museum.

He also started the Bibliothèque Mazarine. This was the first true public library in France. It is still found in the Institut de France today. Mazarin died on 9 March 1661 after many years of work.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Italian - Cardinal Mazarin Riding To Villafranca with the Treaty of Peace - Walters 371161.jpg
Italian - Cardinal Mazarin Riding To...
File:Jules Mazarin in 1632.jpg
Jules Mazarin in 1632.jpg
File:Simon vouet portrait du cardinal jules mazarin.jpg
Simon vouet portrait du cardinal jules mazarin.jpg
File:Anne of Austria (Queen mother) with her two sons Louis XIV of France and Philippe, Duke of Orléans (unknown artist).jpg
Anne of Austria (Queen mother) with her...
File:Mazarinade.jpg
Mazarinade.jpg
File:Louis, Grand Condé.PNG
Louis, Grand Condé.PNG
File:Combat de deux cavaliers lors de la Fronde, faubourg Saint-Antoine, sous les murs de la Bastille.jpg
Combat de deux cavaliers lors de la...
File:Portrait Nicolas Fouquet par Charles Le Brun.jpg
Portrait Nicolas Fouquet par Charles Le Brun.jpg
File:Colbert1666.jpg
Colbert1666.jpg
File:Carlo II, Duke of Mantua.jpg
Carlo II, Duke of Mantua.jpg
File:Feste teatrali per la Finta pazza – Gallica bpt6k15118548 f17 (set design for act 1, scenes 1 and 2) cropped.jpg
Feste teatrali per la Finta pazza –...
File:Boiserie sculptee aux armes de Mazarin Bibliotheque Mazarine Paris.jpg
Boiserie sculptee aux armes de Mazarin...

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