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!
In 1667 in France, Louis XIV is a young king who wants to impose his power whereas he is traumatized by the Fronde (the revolt of nobility during Louis XIII's reign) and despite the attacks of conspirators. Then, Louis XIV decides to establish the seat of the power out of Paris, in Versailles. At that time, Versailles is just a hunting lodge but Louis XIV radically wants to transform this castle.
The episode was rated 7.35 from 691 votes.
The Queen gave birth to the first royal baby and it triggers some rumors. Besides, Louis XIV's counselors advice him to go to war in order to impose his power. Furthermore, Louis XIV's brother Philippe dreams of glory and want to be on the field of the future battles.
The episode was rated 7.52 from 556 votes.
Louis was furious on hearing the exploits of his brother Philip on the battlefield; some see it as the most valiant fighters of the army of His Majesty. Louis is furious to learn that the Parthenay family was assassinated on the road to Versailles, a powerful family of South nobles, who came to assure him of their support. If the roads leading to Versailles are not safe, no noble will venturer it. If Versailles is isolated, then the king should give up his plan. Inconceivable for the monarch who sends Fabien Marchal, the head of security, conduct the investigation into the murder of Parthenay and bring the head of the murderers.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 500 votes.
After the war, the soldiers were requisitioned to carry out the work on the palace of Versailles. But worn by the hardness of their task, their lives and broken promises, they revolt. Two thousand of them lay down their tools. Convinced by Madame de Montespan, the Duke of Cassel went to Versailles to attend the festivities. The king has just decreed that nobles that locate in the area will be relieved of their debts. No castle or land, the Duke of Cassel must resolve to stay.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 491 votes.
Louis has one thing in mind: Versailles. For the nobles to come to Versailles, the king demanded the representatives of high society bring him their noble titles, only guarantors of their privileges. First to be stripped of his title, Montcourt seeking the support of the Duke of Cassel, one of the North's most powerful nobles, who bears the king in high esteem. Louis asks the queen to leave the mourning to welcome his guest: Prince of Assini, able to open his trade routes in West Africa.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 516 votes.
Louis is struck down with fever and, whilst the official version is that he has had a hunting accident, the courtiers are suspicious and Philippe lets slip to Rohan that, if his brother dies, he will be regent. When the delirious Louis runs round the palace in his night shirt the facts become visible and the queen, Cassel and others meet secretly to plan ahead should he not survive but Louis recovers, thanks to Claudine Masson, daughter of the late court doctor whom Louis now appoints as his physician. Due to Fabien's spy network he also exposes the conspirators, in particular the CHevalier, and orders arrests to be made whilst finally releasing Mademoiselle de Clermont to become a nun on her request.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 469 votes.
With his lover in prison and his wife Henriette surviving a miscarriage Philippe is not a happy man but Louis, buoyant at overcoming his enemies, is keen for an alliance with England for an invasion of the Netherlands and sends Henriette to London to see her brother Charles II and negotiate terms. Cassel and others plot to kill her but the conspiracy is denounced to the king by Montcalm, anxious to be reinstated at court. Fabien survives an attempt to kill him whilst Louis has a job offer for Philippe.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 464 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 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.
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.
