Crisis of French Sea Power, 1688-1697

The French navy that fought in the Nine Years War was essentially Colbert''s creation. Earlier in the century Richelieu had given France the beginnings of a navy: ships, ports, a corps of officers and an administra­ tive structure. But most of his work was undone by neglect in the years after his death, and the task of making France a maritime power had to begin again under Louis XIV. Colbert''s e...