Fronde

The Fronde was a series of civil wars in France during the mid-17th century, roughly from 1648 to 1653. It involved conflicts between the French nobility, the Parliament of Paris, and the royal government, led by Cardinal Mazarin, who was the chief minister to the young King Louis XIV. The Fronde arose from discontent over high taxes and the centralization of power. The term "Fronde" itself originates from the French word for "sling," symbolizing resistance. Ultimately, the conflict reinforced royal authority, leading to Louis XIV's absolute monarchy and shaping the future of French governance.