Antonia Fraser
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 Louisâ€™s accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women.,The kingâ€™s 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-ThÃ©rÃ¨se, 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 ValliÃ¨re, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant AthÃ©naÃ¯s, marquise de Montespan. Later, when AthÃ©naÃ¯sâ€™s reputation was tarnished, the king continued to support her publicly until AthÃ©naÃ¯s left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her childrenâ€™s governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical FranÃ§oise de Maintenon, had already won the kingâ€™s affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with AthÃ©naÃ¯s, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandsonâ€™s child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the kingâ€™s last yearsâ€”until tragedy struck.,With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of womenâ€™s religious livesâ€”as well as such practical matters as contraceptionâ€”into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.
History,Nonfiction,Biography,Cultural,France,Historical,Literature,17th Century,History,European History,Audiobook,Biography Memoir,Literature,18th Century
Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King