The Correspondence of Madame, Princess Palatine, Mother of the Regent; of Marie-Adélaïde de Savoie, Duchesse de Bourgogne; and of Madame de Maintenon, in Relation to Saint-Cyr

In this richly compiled collection, three remarkable women of the late‑seventeenth and early‑eighteenth centuries share their private thoughts across more than two decades of letters. From the outspoken Princess Palatine, born into a turbulent German court, to the poised Duchess of Bourgogne and the ever‑practical Madame de Maintenon, each voice shines with its own blend of candor, affection, and political awareness.

Their correspondence weaves together daily life at Versailles, family anxieties, and the ambitious project of Saint‑Cyr, the royal school for girls founded by Maintenon. Readers hear intimate discussions of marriage alliances, artistic patronage, and the challenges of raising children under the watchful eye of Louis XIV’s court, while also catching glimpses of the cultural exchange between French and German sensibilities that shaped their world.

Thoughtfully translated and introduced by contemporary scholars, the letters retain the immediacy of handwritten conversation. Listeners will find a vivid portrait of an era where personal sentiment and public duty intersect, offering a rare, human‑scaled view of the grand tapestry of early modern European history.