Description
The self-proclaimed Sun King, Louis XIV ruled over the most glorious and extravagant court in seventeenth-century Europe. Now, Antonia Fraser goes behind the well-known tales of LouisÂs accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women.
The kingÂs mother, Anne of Austria, had been in a childless marriage for twenty-two years before she gave birth to Louis XIV. A devout Catholic, she instilled in her son a strong sense of piety and fought successfully for his right to absolute power. In 1660, Louis married his first cousin, Marie-Thérèse, in a political arrangement. While unfailingly kind to the official “Queen of Versailles,” Louis sought others to satisfy his romantic and sexual desires. After a flirtation with his sister-in-law, his first important mistress was Louise de La Vallière, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan. Later, when AthénaïsÂs reputation was tarnished, the king continued to support her publicly until Athénaïs left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her childrenÂs governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Françoise de Maintenon, had already won the kingÂs affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with Athénaïs, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandsonÂs child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the kingÂs last yearsÂuntil tragedy struck.
With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of womenÂs religious livesÂas well as such practical matters as contraceptionÂinto her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.
There has long been he need for an authoritative biography of France’s last Queen
Hard Cover. Condition: Good . Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good . 1st US. (1st US, 1st) Large book, brown cloth spine, smooth brown boards, gilt lettering very bright on spine, genealogical chart inside covers and adjacent end papers, 388 pages, illustrations throughout. DJ glossy beneath mylar, colorfully designed and illustrated with portraits of king and women on front,
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