Louis XIV (1643 To 1715)
The first eight years of this reign were under the Regency of Anne of Austria, the consort of Louis XIII, while French politics were dominated by Cardinal Jules Mazarin, who served as Chief Minister from 1642, and Louis XIV did not achieve personal rule until the death of Cardinal Mazarin in March 1661.
The French rating system was initially created in 1669; earlier vessels are shown under the rating they were given in 1669 - in the case of vessels deleted prior to 1669, these are included according to the rate they would have been given in 1669 had they not been deleted. Under this system, French major warships were divided into five ranks or "Rangs"; ships of the line (vaisseaux) were divided into the highest three ranks.
Vessels of the Fourth and Fifth Ranks were categorised as frigates (frégates) of the 1st Order and 2nd Order respectively; light frigates (frégates légères) were excluded from the rating system. All frigates are listed in the appropriate article.
The rating system was thoroughly reformed under Colbert's administration two years later, in June 1671, and numerous French warships were renamed at that date; vessels are listed below under their original name at time of launching, even if they subsequently were better known by the name they were given later.
Read more about this topic: List Of Ships Of The Line Of France
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