Who was Louis XV's regent?

• A. Cardinal Mazarin
• B. Duc d'Orleans
• C. Duke of Marlborough
• D. Duc de Berry

Answer: (B)

This question tests knowing who governed France during Louis XV’s minority, ruling in his name while he was too young to rule himself. The regent was Philippe II, Duke of Orléans—the Duc d’Orléans—who held power from Louis XV’s accession in 1715 until the king reached a suitable age around 1723. This period followed the long reign of Louis XIV and involved stabilizing the realm after years of war and financial upheaval, including the era of John Law’s financial schemes. The other figures played roles at different times or in different contexts: Cardinal Mazarin was regent for Louis XIV, not Louis XV; the Duke of Marlborough was a British military leader; and the Duc de Berry was a royal prince without regency over Louis XV.