I'm watching Versailles, which is obviously a tv drama and not something I would hold to a high standard of historical accuracy, but (spoilers?) King Louis XIV has just ordered the Duke of Cassel to marry Sophie de Clermont, and it's making me wonder if he can actually force such an issue (neither of the involved parties like the idea). The king isn't closely related to either of these people (so he wouldn't have rights as their head of household, as he does over Philip, who was also ordered to (re)marry this episode) and in u/Lilac1399's FAQ response regarding women's role in marriage negotiations she mentions that a legal age of consent was established in the 12th century, and that marriage was only considered legal if it was between consenting parties - but also that people could be pressured to consent to an undesired marriage.
So my question is threefold: 1) Did Louis XIV have the power to command his nobles to marry, 2) did other kings of the early Modern Period have this power, and 3) if so, how commonly would it have been used?
Marriages are consented by the King. He may or may not approve of a marriage especially with nobles and royals.
A marriage suggested or arranged by the king is actually an honor. It's highly unlikely to be denied by whoever were arranged. He is a monarch after all.
Nobles and royals especially who resides in Versailles are the official guests of the king. Anything and everything they do is according to the king's rules. They cannot leave Versailles without his approval, and they cannot marry someone if the king does not approve.
I watched Versailles too, and both couples were nobles. So when he arranged the marriage, even when Sophie showed objection, there was nothing she could've done since the king's power is above everyone else's. You displease the king, you're in trouble.
The king may gift his loyal servants with jewels, money, estates, spouse, and even official mistresses. He may take it all away, or may add more.
His influence is so important since he claimed to be the "Sun King", the son who was sent by God to rule France and its people.