This is a collection of essays on many of the main Historical controversies in the reign of Louis XIV. The first hundred and ten pages discuss general problems in Louis' policy. This includes essays on how much priority Louis XIV interacted with other rulers and what consideration he gave to his Royal dignity. The rest of the book consists of case studies examining different specific issues that occured during Louis' reign. Most of these articles deal with the middle period of Louis' reign ( 1668 - 1695 ). The article about the 'secret' treaty between Louis and the Habsburg Emperor Leopold dividing the Spanish territories is a very important new Historical discovery. Until this was written most Historians assumed that there were no peaceful attempts to solve the Spanish succession prior to Louis later attempt with William III after the Nine Years War.
