France should have been Europe's great power at this time. The size of the country, its large population, the fertility of its soils and its advantageous geographical position in Europe could have been expected to encourage rapid economic growth, great prosperity and military strength. However, in 1600 France had just emerged from the Wars of Religion (1562-1598). This vicious conflict had seriously damaged the country's economy as well as the unity of its people.

©  Shirley Burchill, Nigel Hughes, Richard Gale and Keith Woodall 2007