1648... the Thirty Years' War is about to end and it's possible to see the balance of power slowly shifting in Europe. Spain, great rival to the House of Bourbon, is soon to cede her place at the forefront of European power. The conflict weights painfully on the finances of the French kingdom. The years which follow the victory of the young count over His Most Catholic Majesty, at Rocroi, do nothing but aggravate a delicate financial situation. The regent, his prime minister, and the King's Council set fire to their country in order to pay their debts. This could easily plunge the kingdom into chaos...TEXT IN FRENCH