The Fronde was a series of civil wars in France between 1648-1653 in the midst of the Spanish war (1635). The nobles whose power had been weakened by the policies of Cardinal Richelieu rose in rebellion against Mazarin and the court during the Minority of Louis XIV. The word Fronde means Sling, which Parisian mobs used to smash windows of supporters of Cardinal Mazarin. The original goal of the insurrection was to protect the ancient liberties from the royal encroachments.
