Investigating the calm inside a hurricane
Louis XIV, the son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, was born in 1638, during a period of great wealth for the French monarchy.
At the tender age of five, he assumed the throne while his mother acted as regent. Under her guidance, he was deeply ingrained with the conviction of his absolute and divine authority as king.
The courtiers of Louis XIV adhered to the wishes of their "divine ruler" without exception. An example of this was observed in the way male courtiers were required to sit. They had to carefully place their left foot in front of their right, position their hands on the chair's sides, and smoothly lower themselves down.
Visitors were required to lightly scratch the door with their pinkie finger to request entry when calling upon the King, as it was deemed inappropriate to knock on his door.
Louis XIV was famous for his extravagant spending habits. He had a great passion for the arts and exquisite cuisine. A nightly dinner for the entire court took place at 10 pm, necessitating the participation of 500 staff members to cater and serve.
Not surprisingly, when an autopsy was conducted following his passing, doctors discovered that his stomach was three times larger than the average person's.
Louis XIV enlisted the services of a renowned culinary artist by the name of François Vatel, often hailed as the "Prince of Cooks" for his extraordinary culinary skills. However, even Vatel, with his exceptional talents, found himself unable to withstand the immense pressure of catering to the King's extravagant banquets. The breaking point came during a three-day extravaganza when he was left humiliated by his inability to accurately estimate the colossal food requirements to satisfy 5,000 hungry guests. The final straw was when the fish delivery failed to materialize for the following day's feast, pushing Vatel to his limits.
Vatel met a tragic end, taking his own life with a sword, just before the arrival of the fish delivery.
The dress code was highly formal, with men obliged to carry swords. Louis XIV placed great emphasis on fashion, and it is rumored that members of the court had to diligently follow the latest trends in order to maintain his favor.
Nobles often accumulated significant debt due to the ongoing need to update their wardrobes and attend formal events. During the Baroque period, opulent clothing made from vibrant fabrics, gold decorations, delicate lace, ribbons, and pearls was the dominant style of the nobles.
In the 17th century, doctors had different opinions regarding hygiene practices. They argued against bathing, as it was thought to make the pores susceptible to illness. This stood in stark contrast to the prevailing ideas of indulgence and opulence.
There are many historical accounts that claim that Louis XIV only took a bath three times in his life, although this is likely an exaggeration! Most people at that time would only bathe once a year, but royals and aristocrats would change their linen shirts regularly to keep themselves “fresh.” It's said that Louis XIV changed his three times a day.
Although Louis XIV is believed to have avoided bathing, he was apparently an avid believer in enemas. Enemas were a common practice during this period in history, as they were thought to be good for one's health. Some accounts say Louis XIV was a bit of a fanatic and had more than 2,000 enemas in his lifetime!
During this period, individuals employed perfume as a method to conceal the foul odor generated by their lack of hygiene. Nonetheless, it is doubtful if this approach yielded any significant results in combating the unpleasant smells.
There are rumors that Louis XIV had severe migraines caused by strong perfumes.
According to a tale, the King's lover resorted to drenching herself in potent fragrances in an attempt to conceal the unpleasant odor emanating from him during their encounters. Consequently, a heated dispute ensued due to their mutual abhorrence towards each other's scent.
Louis XIV, despite having mistresses, was a devoted Catholic who attended mass daily and aimed to unite France with one religion. However, during that era, cleanliness and godliness were not well acquainted.
Louis XIV's strong faith was inherited from his mother, Anne of Austria, who occasionally prioritized 'practicality' over religion.
When Louis XIV reached the age of 15, Anne made the decision to seek a suitable woman who could introduce him to the concept of procreation. Her pursuit for the ideal candidate commenced.
Historians say she wanted someone experienced, discreet, lacking in ambitions, and who would not be too beautiful or enchanting. She chose one of her ladies-in-waiting who was known as "One-eyed Catherine" for obvious reasons. The Queen was satisfied with her efforts and gifted her with a title, several estates, and a hotel.
Maria Theresa of Spain was married to Louis XIV in 1660, at the ages of 22.
According to historical records, it is believed that the King remained loyal to Maria Theresa during the first year of their marriage, but subsequently engaged in multiple extramarital relationships.
In 1661, there were rumors circulating that Louis XIV had formed a close bond with Henrietta Anne of England, who had recently married his brother. Over time, she became his official mistress and gave birth to four children.
After Henrietta Anne came one of his most famous mistresses, another married woman called the Marquise de Montespan, formerly a lady-in-waiting to his wife. She was known to be ambitious, and many of the courtiers were scared of her.
According to reports, she allegedly sought the assistance of sorcerers and magicians in acquiring love potions, which she subsequently administered to the King. These efforts to win his affection proved successful, resulting in a prolonged affair and the birth of seven children.
The Marquise de Montespan wasn't the only one making use of these underground services. Apparently, these alchemists and sorceresses were selling potions and spells to many enterprising members of the court who wished to use them on the King to further their positions.
The French police were alerted to a potential plot to poison the King, sparking a large-scale investigation involving numerous nobles and potion sellers. As a result, 36 individuals were condemned to death, 34 were banished, and additional punishments were bestowed upon many others.
As the charm of the Marquise de Montespan started to fade, Louis XIV developed an attraction towards another individual. The object of his affection turned out to be her governess, recognized as the Marquise de Maintenon.
Louis XIV was advised by the Marquise de Maintenon to refocus his attention on his wife, Maria Theresa, rather than on herself. Despite this advice, he remained unconvinced, leading Maria Theresa to develop an affinity for his newfound mistress.
When Maria Theresa died at the age of 44, Louis XIV decided to marry the Marquise de Maintenon. However, she came from a very poor background and her family could not be allowed to inherit the crown, so they were married in secret. They had a religious marriage, but it was not recognized by the state so she was never officially made queen.
Sources: (BBC) (Britannica) (Listverse) (Ranker)
Louis XIV stands out as one of Europe's most memorable monarchs, renowned for commissioning the magnificent Palace of Versailles, indulging in an extraordinarily lavish lifestyle, and establishing an absolute monarchy in France. His era was marked by peculiar beliefs and behaviors, often considered outrageous by contemporary standards. Yet, even more intriguing was Louis XIV himself, a figure of exceptional eccentricity.
Those who inhabited his inner circle bore witness to his extravagant lifestyle and often found themselves compelled to partake to retain his favor. His reign serves as a compelling illustration of what happens when one man's whims become gospel.
Explore the following gallery to uncover some of the most astonishing revelations about life inside Louis XIV's court.
Louis XIV: The truly eccentric monarch who redefined royal extravagance
The French king had a minor obsession with enemas...
LIFESTYLE Royal history
Louis XIV stands out as one of Europe's most memorable monarchs, renowned for commissioning the magnificent Palace of Versailles, indulging in an extraordinarily lavish lifestyle, and establishing an absolute monarchy in France. His era was marked by peculiar beliefs and behaviors, often considered outrageous by contemporary standards. Yet, even more intriguing was Louis XIV himself, a figure of exceptional eccentricity.
Those who inhabited his inner circle bore witness to his extravagant lifestyle and often found themselves compelled to partake to retain his favor. His reign serves as a compelling illustration of what happens when one man's whims become gospel.
Explore the following gallery to uncover some of the most astonishing revelations about life inside Louis XIV's court.