The story of a young Louis XIV on his journey to become the most powerful monarch in Europe, from his battles with the fronde through his development into the Sun King. Historical and fictional characters guide us in a world of betrayal and political maneuvering, revealing Versailles in all its glory and brutality.
Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 08, 2022.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Louis welcomes a defeated royal relative to the palace, but with unforeseen personal consequences. Philippe stumbles upon a mystery man. Madame de Montespan finds how to hurt a former friend, the King's prim companion Francois de Maintenon.
The episode was rated 7.76 from 220 votes.
Little can be taken at face value as Louis negotiates with Leopold over Spain, the Bastille governor has a sorry tale for Philippe and Sophie surprises Marchal.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 210 votes.
Hero of the battlefield, Philippe returns from the front transformed. The French soldiers admire the Duke of Orleans, all wreathed in glory. This recognition begins to overshadow Louis. The roads are still not safe just outside Versailles and convoys of attacks are increasing. To celebrate the peace treaty he just signed with the Spanish, the King decides to invite the biggest noble families in Versailles for great entertainment. He invites the Duke of Cassel.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 505 votes.
Louis hopes diplomacy will hide his duplicity as he works to undermine Leopold while winning over severe cardinal Leto. Marchal helps Philippe learn a family secret, and is troubled by a command from the king.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 186 votes.
Louis believes to triumph diplomatically when his queen Henriette negotiates an alliance with England against the Dutch for cash and a guard for her brother, English king Charles II, but when William of Orange personally comes question the Stuart 'reunion', Charles offers him a princess's hand. Rohan continues to elude Marchal's efforts to dismantle the secret society in Orange's service, even arranges the escape of a traitor locked up for torture. Marchal, who is losing Louis' confidence, proves the Pau ladies frauds, discretely executes the mother, his 'lover' and the poison monger, and chases the daughter. Chevalier convinces Philippe not to resent Louis' demand to devise elaborate court etiquette but to enjoy becoming the aristocracy at court's puppeteers, while Louis proudly radiates as a heliocentric sun.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 456 votes.
Seeking retribution, Louis lashes out at the Parisian rebels though Philippe urges a more reasoned response. Word from Spain casts doubt on Marie-Thérèse's intentions. Sophie's loyalties are tested.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 200 votes.
A betrayal by one of the women closest to the king has unforeseen consequences, while a graphic revelation results in a fall from grace for another. Philippe gets dangerously close to the mystery prisoner. Reprisals against the protesters in Paris place Fabien Marchal in peril.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 192 votes.
As Louis starts to doubt his divinity, devilish behaviour tempts some courtiers. Rejected Madame de Montespan hopes a dark ritual will restore her status, while Philippe toys with Thomas, prompting jealous Chevalier to respond recklessly.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 411 votes.
His resolve reinforced, Louis is dismissive of the pain his plans will cause others, be they Philippe or Protestants of all classes. Cardinal Leto is confident of making the king marry Isabella of Portugal.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 180 votes.
Has Louis finally learnt the identity of the man in the iron mask? Cardinal Leto is still determined to use his knowledge against the king. Fabien Marchal is in pursuit of fugitive Sophie and the young woman he must kill.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 188 votes.
Can Louis' longed-for loving touch help the ailing queen? An engraved blade holds a clue to who Philippe has antagonised. Jeanne challenges her brother's business-minded betrayal.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 186 votes.
Suffering an identity crisis, Louis gets moody, unable to reveal the reason. Jeanne's protest pamphlets in Paris bring reprisals led by Marchal.
The episode was rated 7.97 from 184 votes.
Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles.
The episode was rated 8.01 from 473 votes.
Looking to the future, King Louis XIV seeks to reconnect with his people, and reconcile his family. As some oppressed Parisians plan a violent welcome for Louis, has one of his friends become a foe?
The episode was rated 8.02 from 172 votes.
Louis and Philippe each face a foe in the bedroom, but the traitors strike back. Even in chains, poisonous Madame Agathe threatens the king. Sophie is torn emotionally.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 417 votes.
