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![]() | Love and Louis XIV (2006) The Women in the Life of the Sun King A non fiction book by 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 Louis's accomplishments and follies, exploring in riveting detail his intimate relationships with women.
The king'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-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 Athénaïs's reputation was tarnished, the king continued to support her publicly as Athénaïs left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her children's governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Françoise de Maintenon, had already won the king's 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 grandson's child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the king's last years—until tragedy struck.
With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of women's religious lives—as well as such practical matters as contraception—into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.
The king'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-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 Athénaïs's reputation was tarnished, the king continued to support her publicly as Athénaïs left court for a life of repentance. Meanwhile her children's governess, the intelligent and seemingly puritanical Françoise de Maintenon, had already won the king's 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 grandson's child bride, the enchanting Adelaide of Savoy, came to Versaille she lightened the king's last years—until tragedy struck.
With consummate skill, Antonia Fraser weaves insights into the nature of women's religious lives—as well as such practical matters as contraception—into her magnificent, sweeping portrait of the king, his court, and his ladies.
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Used availability for Antonia Fraser's Love and Louis XIV
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
October 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-385-66062-6 / 978-0-385-66062-4 (USA edition) Publisher: Doubleday Canada Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
October 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-385-50984-7 / 978-0-385-50984-8 (USA edition) Publisher: Nan A. Talese Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
August 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-297-82997-1 / 978-0-297-82997-3 (UK edition) Publisher: W&N Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
Paperback Editions
November 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-385-66063-4 / 978-0-385-66063-1 (USA edition) Publisher: Anchor Canada Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
November 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 1-4000-3374-8 / 978-1-4000-3374-4 (USA edition) Publisher: Anchor Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
August 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of The Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-7538-2293-8 / 978-0-7538-2293-7 (UK edition) Publisher: Phoenix Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
July 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-297-82998-X / 978-0-297-82998-0 (UK edition) Publisher: Phoenix Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
2006 : Paperback
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser Publisher: Anchor Availability: Amazon More details... |
Audio Editions
June 2008 : Audio CD
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the LIfe of the Sun King (unabridged audio book) Author(s): Antonia Fraser, narrated by Julia Franklin ISBN: 1-4074-6038-2 / 978-1-4074-6038-3 (UK edition) Publisher: Whole Story Audio Books Availability: Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
October 2006 : Audio CD
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-7393-3957-5 / 978-0-7393-3957-2 (USA edition) Publisher: Random House Audio Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
August 2006 : Audio CD
| Title: Love and Louis XIV Author(s): Antonia Fraser ISBN: 0-7528-7514-0 / 978-0-7528-7514-9 (UK edition) Publisher: Orion Availability: Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
Audio CD
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): ISBN: 1-4159-3289-1 / 978-1-4159-3289-6 (USA edition) Publisher: Books on Tape Availability: Amazon Amazon CA More details... |
Other Editions
December 2008 : Kindle edition
| Title: Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser Publisher: Anchor Availability: Amazon More details... |
September 2008 : Kindle edition
| Title: Love And Louis Xiv: The Women In The Life Of The Sun King Author(s): Antonia Fraser Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
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