King Louis XIV

[Mili]

Until when was this commonly practiced?!  

[elena_maria_vidal]

I think that the Revolution and Napoleon brought some minimal sanitation; the Bonapartes were known to be very clean. However, the same unsavory situation existed in the Tuileries under the Bourbon restoration.

[Mili]

Holy Moly! Antoinette must have been appauled! I cant imagine that being done back home in the Austrian court, i'm pretty sure they observed strict court procedures on just about everything.

[elena_maria_vidal]

Probably! That is why she went to her Trianon so often.

[Angie_H]

Does anyone know about Louis XIV's daughter? This was an actual legitimate one that he had with Maria-Teresa of Austria and she died around the age of five? I have only read one book that references her

[Prince_Lieven]

I think she was Marie-Therese, born Jan 2 1667 and died March 1 1672, but that's all I know.

[Agneschen]

Sadly it was to late to go to the gardens, so in my next trip to Paris, I'll return to Versailles!

You will have to devote a whole day to the gardens exclusively umigon for they are so huge and there is so much to see.
I am lucky enough to live in Paris and go and see them every year during the summer and am always amazed at their beauty and magnificence ! Besides a lot of work is done by the gardeners and there frequently new things to see.
For all those who plan to visit Versailles gardens, I recommend you to do it in spring or during the summer and during the week end to see les grandes eaux (all the fountains are working) - almost magical !

[Sissi]

You will have to devote a whole day to the gardens exclusively umigon for they are so huge and there is so much to see.
I am lucky enough to live in Paris and go and see them every year during the summer and am always amazed at their beauty and magnificence ! Besides a lot of work is done by the gardeners and there frequently new things to see.
For all those who plan to visit Versailles gardens, I recommend you to do it in spring or during the summer and during the week end to see les grandes eaux (all the fountains are working) - almost magical !

 Agneschen is right visiting the gardens during Les grandes Eaux is something spectacular..... there is also music.... Versailles is so beautiful, an dif you wait for sunset it is even more beautiful it gives a sensation of mistery.

[Sissi]

[susana]

I believe it's established that Louis XIV and Phillipe his brother were the issue of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria--but the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask was revealed only to Louis XIV, XV, and XVI--no queens. It makes sense that Louis XV's regent would have been told so he could pass it on to Louis XV when he came of age. Louis XIV was initially very popular with his people, leading his armies in battle and an exceedingly polite and considerate man--not as portrayed in the book and movies. I believe the 'man' was some relation--possibly a twin--of Louis XIV; he had to have the possibility of upsetting the rule of France to have had such extreme measures taken to keep him and his identity secret.

If Anne and Mazarin had had a child, it would simply have been spirited away into a household dedicated to raise the child and would have been an open secret as with all the other royal bastards. They were historically well-taken care of.

[dmitri]

The Man In The Iron Mask was pure fiction.

[Mari]

This is what Mme Campan says in her memoirs:

dangerous character, in consequence of his disposition for intrigue.

 

Bell, this is very interesting! When you get into the realm of intrigue would that not be open for a lot of Possibilities.

 

He was a subject of the Duke of Mantua,

 This is the only Prisoner Mentioned that might fit that Possibility!

Count Ercolo Antonio Matthioli: An Italian who worked for the Duke of Mantua. The French wished to buy the fortress of Casale from the duke, but Matthioli mishandled the negotiations and was imprisoned at the order of Louis XIV. Matthioli is said to have worn a mask voluntarily because it was an Italian tradition.

However, he certainly doesn't fit the role of Intrigue or dangerous.

[susana]

The Man in the Iron Mask is a true historical figure--Dumas wrote a novel, but it was based on fact. I believe a source is the book The Sun King which mentions the secret was passed down from Louis XIV to Louis XV to Louis XVI. Corrobation is possible for anyone willing to look for it.

I love these fascinating threads. Thanks for provocative thoughts and opinions.

[ivanushka]

I remember watching a documentary about the Man in the Iron Mask years ago which put forward the theory that he was in fact Louis XIV's half brother.  If I remember correctly, the theory was that because Louis XIII couldn't/wouldn't impregnate Anne of Austria she was encouraged to have an affair with a courtier who fathered Louis XIV and his brother Phillippe.  This courtier remained close to the royal family and his sons by his wife were quite friendly with the new King and his brother.

One of these sons was a wild character who discovered that he and Louis were related and made threatening noises about revealing it.  In order to safeguard his position Louis had the man arrested with the orders that he was to be well treated but that his face must be kept hidden at all times - hence the Iron Mask.

I keep meaning to buy a book on this subject as it is one of the most fascinating mysteries in history!

[beladona]

I am reading a biography of Luis XIV. written by Anthony Levi and in this book he says, that Queen Anne of Austria and Mazarin had a long-standing love relation (probably ended with a secret marriage!?) and Mazarin is the real father of King Luis XIV. Levi has some "proofs" for it (based mostly on homosexuality of Luis XIII. and his hate towards Queen Anne and on one document with false date, supporting that Mazarin was in Paris in time of Queen Anna´s unexpected impregnation).
Is it serious theory supported by any other historians with some credible proofs or is it just Levi´s wild idea based on a rumours? I am very surprised with this book and I don´t know anything about Anthony Levi - is he hictorian or journalist looking for sensation?