Louis XIV, the Real Sun King

by Jules Harper, Aurora von Goeth

Overview

Innovator. Tyrant. Consummate showman. Passionate lover of women.

After the death of King Louis XIII in 1643, the French crown went to his first-born son and heir, four-year old Louis XIV. In the extraordinary seventy-two years that followed, Louis le Grand - France’s self-styled ‘Sun King’ - ruled France and its people, leaving his unique and permanent mark on history and shaping fashion, art, culture and architecture like none other before. This frank and concise book gives the reader a personal glimpse into the Sun King’s life and times as we follow his rise in power and influence: from a miraculous royal birth no one ever expected to the rise of king as absolute monarch, through the evolution of the glittering Château de Versailles, scandals and poison, four wars and many more mistresses… right up to his final days.

Absolute monarch. Appointed by God.

This is Louis XIV, the man. We will uncover his glorious and not-so-glorious obsessions. His debilitating health issues. His drive and passions. And we will dispel some myths, plus reveal the people in his intimate circle working behind the scenes on the Louis propaganda machine to ensure his legacy stayed in the history books forever.

This easy-to-read narrative is accompanied by a plethora of little-known artworks, so if you’re a Louis XIV fan or student, or just eager to know more about France's most famous king, we invite you to delve into court life of 17th century French aristocracy, the period known as Le Grand Siècle– “The Grand Century”.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526726391
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	07/17/2018
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	733,778
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jules Harper is a former office manager, software and workplace trainer, and has published over ten novels world-wide under a pen name. She also teaches writing craft and workshops at national conferences, written articles on writing technique and process, and is currently plotting two fiction series set in 17th century France.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 6

Introduction 7

Chapter 1 The Gift From God 9

Chapter 2 The Boy King 21

Chapter 3 The Sun King 31

Chapter 4 Louis And His Loves 47

Chapter 5 The King, Art and Fashion 65

Chapter 6 The King At War 91

Chapter 7 The King and Versailles 105

Chapter 8 The King's Health 119

Chapter 9 The Last Days 125

Summary 135

Bibliography 136

Index 139