The superb historian and biographer Antonia Fraser, author of Marie Antoinette, casts new light on the splendor and the scandals of the reign of Louis XIV in this dramatic, illuminating look at the women in his life.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 Louiss accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women.The kings 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-Thrse, 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 Vallire, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant Athnas, marquise de Montespan. Later, when Athnass reputation was tarnished, the King continued to support her publicly as Athnas left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her childrens governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Franoise de Maintenon, had already won the Kings affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with Athnas, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandsons child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the Kings last years until tragedy struck.With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of womens religious lives as well as such practical matters as contraception into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.From the Hardcover edition.
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