# Cardinal Fleury becomes chief minister (1726)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1726-cardinal-fleury-becomes-chief-minister
Location: France

Fleury guided a relatively stable and cautious period of government. Within the broader Bourbon & Ancien Régime period, Bourbon France became a leading European power through stronger royal government, global expansion, war and court culture. Fiscal strain, social privilege and Enlightenment criticism accumulated beneath the apparent strength of the Ancien Régime. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Louis XV (King of France). Cardinal Fleury becomes chief minister is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Cardinal Fleury becomes chief minister is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France.

Ruler at the time: [Louis XV](https://history-france.com/rulers/louis-xv)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Cardinal Fleury becomes chief minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Cardinal+Fleury+becomes+chief+minister&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Cardinal Fleury becomes chief minister](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Cardinal+Fleury+becomes+chief+minister)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)