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The Women in the Life of the Sun King
Nan A. Talese
November 2006
On Sale: October 24, 2006
416 pages
ISBN: 0385509847
EAN: 9780385509848
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction Biography
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 Louisβs accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women. The kingβs 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-ThΓ©rΓ¨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 ValliΓ¨re, who bore him several children before being replaced by the tempestuous and brilliant AthΓ©naΓ―s, marquise de Montespan. Later, when AthΓ©naΓ―sβs reputation was tarnished, the king continued to support her publicly until AthΓ©naΓ―s left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her childrenβs governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical FranΓ§oise de Maintenon, had already won the kingβs affections; in a relationship in complete contrast to his physical obsession with AthΓ©naΓ―s, Louis XIV lived happily with Madame de Maintenon for the rest of his life, very probably marrying her in secret. When his grandsonβs child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the kingβs last yearsβuntil tragedy struck. With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of womenβs religious livesβas well as such practical matters as contraceptionβinto her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.
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