Love and Louis XIV : The Women in the LIfe of the Sun King (Unabridged ed)

"Love and Louis XIV" centres around the Sun King and his relationships with numerous and fascinating women.

His mother, Anne of Austria, to whom he was devoted; his first important mistress, Louise de la Valliere, who bore him several illegitimate children; Athenais Marquise de Montespan, who acted as unofficial Queen of Versailles; Madame de Maintenon, governess to the illegitimate royal children, and of course, Marie Therese, his wife.

Also examined are his relations in old age with his daughters, granddaughters and the wife of his grandson.

It vividly brings to life the vast edifice of Louis XIV's court - the magnificence, artistic splendour, elaborate ritual and in some cases, absurdity and misery.