French society, 1589-1715

"French Society presents a bird's eye view of social change in France during 'the long seventeenth century' from 1589 to 1715, covering the reigns of the first three bourbon kings, Henri IV, Louis XIII and Louis XIV. It provides an original perspective on social change by examining the shifts in social solidarities, the personal bonds and loyalties acting as forces that hold society together and counteract instability and fragmentation."--BOOK JACKET.