Royal Religion

The Bourbon line of the French monarchy began with Henri IV, Louis XIV’s grandfather, who was descended from the youngest son of Louis IX (St. Louis). The elaborate manuscript hymn honoring St. Louis at left—a presentation copy for Louis XIV—traces the familial connection to the saint and thereby underscores the Bourbons’ divine authority to rule.

At right is a volume of religious texts reissued annually for Holy Week (semaine sainte), the week before Easter. The engraved frontispiece
depicts Louis XV and Marie Leszczyńska in prayer before a vision of the Christian Trinity. Such illustrations helped printers to market their yearly editions in a competitive market.