Which French king reigned longer than any other European monarch?

Which French king reigned longer than any other European monarch?

• A. Louis XIV
• B. Louis XV
• C. Henry VIII
• D. Charles V

Answer: (A)

The idea here is how long a monarch held the throne. Louis XIV became king in 1643 and remained on the throne until his death in 1715, a span of about 72 years. That makes his reign longer than any other European monarch. Even though his early years involved a regency, the crown stayed with him from accession to death, and that full period counts toward the length of his reign. For perspective, other long European reigns were shorter—Henry VIII ruled about 38 years, Charles V about 37, and Louis XIII about 33.

The idea here is how long a monarch held the throne. Louis XIV became king in 1643 and remained on the throne until his death in 1715, a span of about 72 years. That makes his reign longer than any other European monarch. Even though his early years involved a regency, the crown stayed with him from accession to death, and that full period counts toward the length of his reign. For perspective, other long European reigns were shorter—Henry VIII ruled about 38 years, Charles V about 37, and Louis XIII about 33.