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This is the first in a two-volume series that describes the period of her regency, which lasted from 1643 to 1651 while her son, King Louis XIV, was in his minority. Queen Anne ruled alongside Italian Cardinal Mazarin, who served as Chief Minister. This volume begins with the early days of Anne's reign upon the death of her husband, Louis XIII, when she had his will changed to allow her and Mazarin primary rule during her son's youth.

"Anne of Austria (22 September 1601? 20 January 1666) was Queen consort of France and Navarre, regent for her son, Louis XIV of France, and a Portuguese and Spanish Infanta by birth. During her regency (1643?1651) Cardinal Mazarin served as France's chief minister. Accounts of French court life of her era emphasize her difficult marital relations with her husband Louis XIII, her closeness to her son Louis XIV, and her disapproval of her son's marital infidelities."--Wikipedia.