New insights on the growth of the territorial state in early modern Europe, the nature of the French absolute monarchy, and the political legacy of the Sun King.

Introduction
Franche-Comté before the French
The Conditions of Conquest: Louis XIV and the Free City of Besançon
The Politics of Integration: Franche-Comté as Pays Conquis
The Nine Years' War and the Transformation of Crown-Elite Relations
Managing Elites: the Monarchy and the Parlement of Besançon, 1699-1705
War Finance in Franche-Comté, 1701-1714
Wartime Government in Franche-Comté and the French Royal State
Conclusion
Appendixes