Memoirs of Louis XIV and His Court and of the Regency — Volume 02

In this richly detailed memoir, the chronicler paints a vivid picture of the final years of the Sun King's reign, where politics, religion, and personal ambition intertwine within the glittering walls of Versailles. Through careful observation of bishops, duchesses, and the king himself, the narrative reveals how a single death could ripple through the highest echelons of power, reshaping appointments and exposing hidden rivalries.

The account follows the sudden passing of the Arch‑bishop of Paris, whose fall from royal favor and quiet retreat with the Duchess de Lesdiguières set the stage for a swift reshuffling of ecclesiastical offices. Meanwhile, at the intimate pavilion of Marly, Louis XIV shows an uncharacteristic lightness, sharing jokes and olives with his guests, while court figures like Madame de Maintenon and the Princess de Conti watch with measured gravity. Saint‑Simon’s eye for detail brings the personalities to life, letting listeners hear the whispered ambitions and the occasional burst of laughter that echo through the corridors of power.