Louis XIV dies in 1647

BossaNova

Banned
Vallot’s big break came in the winter of 1647 when the then premier médecin, the aforementioned François Vautier, summoned Vallot to Louis XIV’s bedside alongside a host of court physicians. The nine-year-old king was suffering from smallpox. In his written account of the event, Vallot placed great emphasis upon his advocation of a specific course of treatment which involved a series of well-timed bleedings and purges. Although initially disapproved of by some of his colleagues, the treatment was eventually decided upon and administered to Louis XIV with successful results.

Suppose that Louis dies. What happens next?
 
How much of France's success in those 72 years of reign where due to the Sun-King's "genius" or his courtiers and circumstances? Would Philip (VII) be as eccentric and wasteful as OTL?
 
I would say a substantial amount was based directly on the Sun King's eminent capability. He was incredibly competent and had a dynamic personality. He chose courtiers and then was his own Prime Minister for the majority of his reign. His brother, Philippe, was more eccentric than Louis and had far more eccentric tastes and vices. I doubt he would have been able to have matched Louis's success.
 
Top