Memoirs of Louis XIV and His Court and of the Regency — Volume 14

A bitter rivalry erupts at the English court, pitting King George against his own son, the Prince of Wales. Their feud spills into Parliament and the wider aristocracy, with accusations of betrayal, scandalous rumors, and a desperate struggle for power. The Princess of Wales, noted for her intelligence and grace, steps in as a peacemaker, using her influence to broker a fragile reconciliation that temporarily eases the tension. Yet ministers and foreign observers watch nervously, aware that any shift in the royal balance could ripple across Europe.

Across the Channel, French intrigue intertwines with the English drama. The ambitious Abbé Dubois, seeking favor and a cardinal’s hat, orchestrates a grand gesture of goodwill that is swiftly withdrawn to avoid further provocation. Meanwhile, a darker tale unfolds in Lyon: a miserly merchant’s son disappears, leading servants to uncover a heavily fortified cellar where the old man’s secret hoard lies—and where his lifeless body is eventually found. This blend of high‑court politics and grim domestic mystery sets the stage for a turbulent era.