
audiobook
by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon
Produced by David Widger
MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV AND HIS COURT AND OF THE REGENCY - BY THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON - VOLUME 9. - CHAPTER LXI
CHAPTER LXII.
CHAPTER LXIII
CHAPTER LXIV
CHAPTER LXV
CHAPTER LVI
CHAPTER LXVII.
CHAPTER LXVIII
CHAPTER LXIX
In these memoirs the Duke of Saint‑Simon paints an intimate picture of life at the Sun King's court, where every gesture can become a statement of power. He recounts a seemingly routine journey to Fontainebleau that turns into a test of royal will, as the king orders a pregnant duchess to travel by boat despite her fever. The episode reveals both the meticulous protocol of Versailles and the monarch’s exacting demand for obedience.
Beyond the palace walls, Saint‑Simon links these personal dramas to the wider turmoil of Europe, noting news of the Ottoman victory over the Russian czar at the Pruth. The contrast between courtly ceremony and the stark realities of war offers listeners a layered understanding of the era’s politics. Through sharp observations and candid anecdotes, the memoir invites you to hear the rhythms of power, intrigue, and the fragile humanity that lived beneath the gilded surface.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (179K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-12-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1675–1755
A sharp-eyed observer of life at Versailles, he turned court gossip, politics, and ceremony into some of the most vivid memoirs in French literature. His writing opens a close, memorable view of the world of Louis XIV and the Regency that followed.
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by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon

by duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon