Pacte de Famille
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The Pacte de Famille is one of three separate, but similar alliances between the Bourbon kings of France and Spain. As part of the settlement of the War of the Spanish Succession that brought the House of Bourbon of France to the throne of Spain, Spain and France made a series of agreements that did not unite the two thrones, but did lead to cooperation on a defined basis.
Philip V, first Bourbon king of Spain
Elisabeth Farnese, Philip V's second wife, who exerted strong influence over her husband
Louis XV of France
Charles III of Spain
Louis XV
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Louis XV, known as Louis the Beloved, was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity in 1723, the kingdom was ruled by his grand-uncle Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, as Regent of France. Cardinal Fleury was chief minister from 1726 until his death in 1743, at which time the king took sole control of the kingdom.
Portrait by Louis-Michel van Loo, c. 1763
The infant Louis with his governess, grandfather, great-grandfather and father, and the busts of Henry IV and Louis XIII in the background. Madame de Ventadour holds her charge's reins. The portrait, painted for her, commemorates her part in saving the dynasty.
Cours des principaux fleuves et rivières de l'Europe, or "Courses of the main rivers of Europe", composed & printed by Louis XV, aged 8. Education of the young king included geography and printing.
Lit de justice held by young Louis XV; his governess, the only woman in the assembly, sits next to him