Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu was a powerful French statesman and chief minister in the early 17th century. He strengthened France’s central government, reducing the power of nobility and promoting national stability. Richelieu aimed to make France a dominant European power, supporting policies that expanded the king’s authority. He also played a key role in the arts and diplomacy, aligning France against Austria and Spain in Europe’s wars. His leadership is viewed as instrumental in consolidating royal power and shaping France’s future as a centralized, modern state.