Old Court Life in France, vol. 2/2

A sweeping, illustrated tour of France’s golden courts, this volume stitches together vivid portraits of power, romance, and rivalry from the reign of Louis XIII through the Sun King’s era. Each chapter unfolds around a well‑known figure—cardinals, dukes, queens, and daring courtiers—offering a mosaic of daily life, political maneuverings, and the art that decorated their world. The many engravings bring the opulent galleries, grand palaces, and intimate chambers to life, letting listeners picture the very rooms in which history was made.

The opening scene, “Tempted,” follows a young Mademoiselle de Lafayette as she watches Louis return from a triumphant campaign. Her excitement for the king’s newfound vigor mixes with a private longing, hinting at the personal stakes hidden beneath grand state affairs. Through her eyes the listener feels the electric blend of public celebration and private desire that defined courtly existence in this vibrant age.