Memoirs of the Courts of Louis XV and XVI. — Volume 5

audiobook

Memoirs of the Courts of Louis XV and XVI. — Volume 5

by Mme. Du Hausset, princesse de Marie Thérèse Louise de Savoie-Carignan Lamballe

EN·~2 hours

Chapters

Description

Step inside the glittering yet precarious world of the French royal court through the eyes of a trusted lady‑in‑waiting. The memoir offers vivid, intimate snapshots of the queen’s pregnancies, the frantic rush of courtiers at the moment of birth, and the delicate dance of favour and rivalry among figures like the Princess de Lamballe and the king’s confidants. With a blend of personal anxiety and sharp observation, the narrative captures how a single delivery could shift public sentiment and reshape alliances.

Beyond the drama of the delivery rooms, the account reveals the quiet power struggles that simmer behind palace doors—whispers of jealousy, the weight of expectation on a young queen, and the subtle ways loyalty is tested. Listeners will hear the same rooms echo with whispered prayers, hurried steps, and the occasional misplaced word that could alter fortunes. The memoir’s blend of personal detail and broader court intrigue offers a compelling glimpse into a pivotal moment before the storm that would later reshape France.

Details

Full title

Memoirs of the Courts of Louis XV and XVI. — Volume 5 Being secret memoirs of Madame Du Hausset, lady's maid to Madame de Pompadour, and of the Princess Lamballe

Language

en

Duration

~2 hours (116K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2004-12-03

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the authors

MD

Mme. Du Hausset

1713–1801

A close observer of life at the court of Louis XV, she is remembered for memoirs that offer a lively, intimate glimpse of Madame de Pompadour’s world. Writing under the name Madame du Hausset, she became linked with one of the most enduring first-hand portraits of 18th-century Versailles.

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princesse de Marie Thérèse Louise de Savoie-Carignan Lamballe

princesse de Marie Thérèse Louise de Savoie-Carignan Lamballe

1749–1792

A close friend of Marie Antoinette, she moved from courtly luxury to the terror of the French Revolution, and her life ended in one of its most shocking episodes. Her story blends intimacy, politics, loyalty, and tragedy in a way that still grips readers today.

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