Richelieu

Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal of Richelieu, was 39 years old when he became Chief Minister of King Louis XIII in 1624. His main successful efforts in domestic policy were the fight against the upper nobility and the Protestant political privileges. He also supported overseas trade, colonial expansion and the constitution of a permanent royal navy. Its most notable achievement remained the diplomatic game he played during the Thirty Years War, pushing with French gold the Swedish intervention in 1630 and ultimately joining the war in 1635. His aims had been the reduction of the House of Habsburg and the extrication of France from encirclement by enemy lands. He is considered as the inventor of the concept of Real Politik.