Louis XIV : The Real King of Versailles Hardback
by JOSEPHINE WILKINSON
Hardback
Description
Intelligent, authoritative, and often surprising, a biography of the most famous of French monarchs, by an acclaimed biographer and historian. Louis XIV's story has all the ingredients of a Dumas classic: legendary beginnings, beguiling women, court intrigue, a mysterious prisoner in an iron mask, lavish court entertainments, the scandal of a mistress who was immersed in the dark arts, and a central character who is handsome and romantic, but with a frighteningly dark side to his character. Louis believed himself to be semidivine. His self-identification as the Sun King, which was reflected in iconography of the sun god, Apollo, influenced every aspect of Louis's life: his political philosophy, his wars, and his relationships with courtiers and subjects. As a military strategist, Louis's capacity was debatable, but he was an astute politician who led his country to the heights of sophistication and power - and then had the misfortune to live long enough to see it all crumble away.
As the sun began to set upon this most glorious of reigns, it brought a gathering darkness filled with the anguish of dead heirs, threatened borders, and a populace that was dangerously dependent upon - but greatly distanced from - its king.
Information
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Less than 10 available - usually despatched within 24 hours
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:352 pages, 8 Plates, color
- Publisher:Amberley Publishing
- Publication Date:15/03/2019
- Category:
- ISBN:9781445691732
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Information
-
Less than 10 available - usually despatched within 24 hours
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:352 pages, 8 Plates, color
- Publisher:Amberley Publishing
- Publication Date:15/03/2019
- Category:
- ISBN:9781445691732
