Tag Archives: France

The one where I write something for Philippe de France’s birthday

Philippe de France, Duke of Anjou, wearing the clothes to his brother's coronation and holding the crown of a son of France. Unknown artist, c1654, Château de Versailles

The 21st of September marks the 377th birthday of Philippe de France, duc d’Orléans, and brother to Louis XIV.  And so I wrote a little something in his honour.  Enjoy xx Philippe de France, frère unique de roi   I stand here, just like all the others, a mere observer to the glorious miracle that is our Sun King. Louis Dieudonné…. Read more »

Versailles season 2, episode 10 – deaths, downfalls and departures

So here we are. The finale of Season 2. I hope you’re sitting down because there is A LOT to unpack in this ep. So let us get right to it without further ado. We begin with Montespan in her rooms, in tears, topless and furiously scrubbing herself from a basin. It is clear she is frantic and upset, and… Read more »

Versailles S2, Ep9 – The one with the sacrificing

Bonjour, amis! Before we start on this recap, there’s a few things I have to draw your attention to. It appears to me (correct me if I’m wrong) that Season 2 plays out over a few months. I mean, I don’t see any winter scenes/change of season, any person looking visibly older or any other indications of the massive passing… Read more »

Versailles S2, Ep8 – the one with the royal snub

EPISODE 8 Huzzah! We are on our way back to Versailles! Louis is gonna kick some ass now! The salons will be reopened, the wine will flow, the queen will have to relinquish her little despot ways and things will be joyous again. Right? ….right….? Well, we open with a lovely galloping horses sequence, through water and woods and with… Read more »

Versailles Series 2, Episode 7 – the one with Louis in a nunnery

I must remember, it is 1674. I have absolutely NO CLUE why I thought it was 1670… maybe one of the cast members in an interview? No Idea. But four years later on from Henriette’s death puts us firmly in 1674. We left Louis and William of Orange together in an abbey, didn’t we? And here we are again, in… Read more »

The one with the glorious return, the victory party and Philippe going off the rails – Versailles episode 5

After earlier reviews of Versailles? Read them in order, they’ll make more sense: Episode One, Two, Three and Four. EPISODE FIVE The scene opens on a bloody battlefield, Philippe cradling his dead horse. Everyone slain. He is clearly shellshocked, with dead eyes and a blank expression, staring off into space. Interspersed with this desolate scene is another – Louis in his tent, dressed… Read more »

The one with the massive war, the porridge and more dead people – Versailles episode 4

If you haven’t already, read my reviews of Episode One, Two and Three. EPISODE FOUR Enter Louis (with a cut on his forehead – “from a hunting accident” we learn later.  Very curious but we never actually find out how/why this happened).  He is absolutely livid with the news that his friends, the Parthenays have been brutally murdered on his… Read more »

The one with the African prince, the shooting and mucho sass – Versailles Episode 3

You can read my reviews of Episodes One and Two here.  *WARNING – all of these are major spoiler-y. EPISODE THREE We open with Louis talking of reflections and a rather substandard mirror in which he dresses. This is the first mention of what is called the Power of Three, which is basically a subliminal way to get something of importance… Read more »

The one with the baby, the punch up in a dress and hey, ‘Let’s GO TO WAR!” – Versailles Episode 2

Read all about my review of Episode 1 here. EPISODE TWO So now we have the worst possible outcome for King Louis  – his Queen not only slept with another man, but the resulting child is black.  Let that sink in….. The King of France, the man who fancies himself the most powerful in all of Europe. Cuckolded by his… Read more »

The One Where I Talk Versailles (the series) and Writing

What better way to start my new blog than to talk about Canal+ new series spectacle, Versailles?  And as I do this I will discuss certain aspects that are within my realms of experience – mainly, the writing. So let’s get the major issue aside right now – the history. Yes, it is a show about historical figures –  Louis… Read more »