| Contents |
| List of maps |
xiii |
| Acknowledgements |
xiv |
| List of abbreviations |
xviii |
| |
|
| General introduction: 'Absolute monarchy', dynasticism
and the standing army |
1 |
| |
|
| PART 1 'Patrimonial bureaucracy': The Le Tellier dynasty
and the Ministry of War |
|
| |
| |
|
Introduction |
27 |
| |
| |
1 |
The Secretary of State for War and the dynastic interests of
the Le Tellier family |
32 |
| |
2 |
The ebb and flow of Le Tellier power, 1661-1701 |
51 |
| |
3 |
The use and abuse of servants: the Ministry of War, venality and
civilian power in the army |
73 |
| |
4 |
Financing war: the treasury of the Extraordinaire des Guerres |
109 |
| |
5 |
Corruption and the pursuit of self-interest in the Ministry of
War |
135 |
| |
|
| PART II The forging of the French officer corps and
the standing army under Louis XIV |
|
| |
| |
|
Introduction |
153 |
| |
| |
6 |
In the name of sustainability: reforming the structure of the
standing army and the officer corps |
161 |
| |
7 |
The business of a regiment |
200 |
| |
8 |
The pressures and temptations of service |
232 |
| |
|
| PART III The high command of the French armies |
|
| |
| |
|
Introduction |
269 |
| |
| |
9 |
The commanders-in-chief and the delegation of royal authority |
275 |
| |
10 |
The appointment of general officers |
296 |
| |
11 |
The summits of ambition and the rewards of good service: the bienfaits
du roi and the high command |
318 |
| |
| Conclusion: The preservation of the dynasty |
336 |
| |
| Appendix 1 : Defining the grands |
363 |
| Appendix 2: The proportion of revenue generated
by the Extraordinaire des Guerres as a 'primary receiver' |
365 |
| Bibliography |
367 |
| Index |
388 |
