'Women of Versailles: the Court of Louis XIV' Summary

In the resplendent palace of Versailles, the Sun King, Louis XIV, presided over a glittering court filled with women vying for his favor and influence. Among them was the neglected Queen Maria Theresa, whose gentle nature stood in stark contrast to the imperious mistress, Madame de Montespan, who wielded immense power over the monarch. The king's illegitimate daughters, legitimized by royal decree, played significant roles in court politics, while the pious Madame de Maintenon, his final consort, wielded substantial religious and political influence. Through a captivating narrative, the author weaves together the stories of these remarkable women, revealing their ambitions, rivalries, and the hidden vexations that lay beneath the glittering facade of Versailles. The book delves into the complexities of court life, where betrayals, love affairs, and power struggles unfolded amidst the grandeur and opulence.