The Death of Louis XIV

Louis XIV refused amputation because he chose to accept his mortality rather than undergo the drastic procedure. Despite his chief physician Georges Mareschal's recommendation to amputate the gangrenous leg to potentially save his life, the King refused. He instead focused on spiritual preparation and organizing his affairs for death, demonstrating his acceptance of his fate.

Louis XIV died from gangrene that spread throughout his body. The infection originated from an embolism in his leg that became gangrenous. Despite medical attempts by various physicians, including the four doctors from the University of Paris, the gangrene continued to spread, causing his condition to deteriorate until he slipped into a coma on August 30 and died on September 1, 1715.

The hunting expedition on August 9 that triggered the embolism was the initial event that led to his eventual death.

Louis XIV was succeeded by his great-grandson, Louis XV, who was only five years old at the time of the King's death. Since Louis XV was a minor, Louis XIV had already organized a regency to govern the kingdom until the young heir came of age.

Louis XIV appointed Louis Auguste, Duke of Maine, one of his older illegitimate sons, as regent because he trusted him to oversee the kingdom until Louis XV reached adulthood. This choice was significant because it placed royal blood, albeit illegitimate, in a position of power during the succession crisis, with Francois de Villeroy designated as Louis XV's legal guardian.

Louis XIV requested that his heart and intestines be separated from the rest of his body after death. This was revealed during the post-mortem examination. The request reflected his personal contemplation of mortality and his desire for a specific burial arrangement, separate from the traditional royal entombment.

The royal family attempted to suppress information about the King's declining health. As rumors began circulating within the Court of Versailles, the royal family censored the flow of information to control the narrative and maintain their reputation. The chief physician also forbade any further travels, keeping the King confined to Versailles as his condition worsened.

Madame Maintenon was Louis XIV's mistress, and she played a key role in his final days. The King enlisted her help in organizing the regency for his great-grandson Louis XV, indicating her influence and trusted position within the royal household during his declining health.

In a poignant gesture, Louis XIV imparted wisdom on governance to his successor while dying. He shared guidance about ruling the kingdom, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the throne and his concern for France's future even as he faced his own mortality.

A post-mortem examination was performed on Louis XIV to document the cause of death and to fulfill his specific wishes regarding the disposition of his body. The examination revealed his desire to have his heart and intestines separated from the rest of his body, which was carried out as part of his burial arrangements.

Louis XIV's decline was rapid despite a brief rally in his condition. After returning from hunting on August 9, 1715 with an embolism in his leg, he deteriorated quickly over approximately three weeks. His condition worsened from the initial embolism to gangrene, then fever, coma, and finally death on September 1, 1715.

The hunting trip that triggered the embolism set in motion the rapid decline that followed.

Louis XIV was buried at the Basilica of Saint-Denis on September 9, 1715, after lying in state for public mourning. This royal necropolis had been the traditional burial site for French monarchs for centuries, marking the final resting place of the Sun King.