Power and Reputation at the Court of Louis XIII : The Career of Charles D'Albert, Duc De Luynes (1578-1621) Paperback / softback

by Sharon Kettering

Part of the Studies in Early Modern European History series

Paperback / softback

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Description

This book seeks to rehabilitate the reputation of Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes, the controversial favourite of Louis XIII often maligned by historians. Kettering argues that the traditional historical interpretation of Luynes is significantly influenced by the testimony of Richelieu, who subjected Luynes to a devastating character assassination in his memoirs. Richelieuâ€™s malice and the bias in histories based upon his memoirs justify another look at Luynesâ€™ career.

This book sifts through the historical evidence to offer a new perspective on Luynes, arguing that his contributions to the early years of Louis XIIIâ€™s government have been insufficiently appreciated, and in the process throws light upon a dark, unpleasant corner of Richelieuâ€™s personality often ignored by historians. As well as advanced students and historians of early modern France, this book should interest those specialising in the history of the European courts, power politics, patronage and printed pamphlet literature. -- .