Old Court Life in France, vol. 1/2

Step into the glittering yet turbulent world of the French monarchy, from the Renaissance brilliance of Francis I to the majestic reign of Louis XIV. Frances Elliot guides listeners through the ornate salons, hunting lodges, and palace gardens where power was as much a matter of charm as of sword. Along the way, the narrative introduces the decisive influence of royal favourites—ladies whose whims could sway the fate of nations.

The story also shines a light on the towering statesmen who shaped the era: the iron‑handed Cardinal Richelieu, the diplomatic genius Mazarin, and the rebellious yet talented de Retz. Their ambitions, alliances, and personal intrigues are woven into vivid portraits that reveal how courtly love and political maneuvering were inseparable. Listeners will come away with a richer sense of how the passions and personalities of a handful of individuals set the course of French history.