This is the fourth and last book in the series devoted to Giulio Mazarini. After Mazarini's arrival in France Richelieu sends him to negotiate a peace agreement between France and Spain whose armies face each other in Savoy. Mazarini finds an ingenious way to obtain cessation of hostilities. For bringing peace to Northern Italy Mazarini is rewarded by the Pope of Rome with the rank of cardinal. Richelieu, on his deathbed, recommends to Louis XIII that he make Mazarini a member of the Royal Council. The king agrees and when he dies the queen keeps Mazarini in her Regent's Council. Feeling that Mazarini is her staunch supporter, the queen appoints him prime minister to the consternation of most aristocrats. As a result a civil war starts known in history as the Fronde. But Mazarini defeats his enemies and becomes the uncontested ruler of France.

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