Note 17 — I LOUIS XIV[14]

Nicolas Fouquet (1615-1680), the well-known surintendant des finances, aspired to succeed Mazarin, but his ambitions were thwarted by Louis announcing his intention to be his own chief minister. He was arrested on September 5, 1661, and his trial for malversation of the finances began in the following November. The verdict was not given till December, 1664, when the majority of the judges condemned him to perpetual banishment with confiscation of his property. This was changed by Louis with extrême dureté to imprisonment for life. (See J. Lair, Nicolas Fouquet, 2 vols. 1890, and Mme de Sévigné’s letters.)