In 1723, the Duke of Bourbon had become the Regent of France during the minority of Louis XV. As queen, Marie Leszczyńska performed her ceremonial role in strict accordance with formal court etiquette and regularly and punctually fulfilled all representational duties that the court life at Versailles demanded of her. Louis XV burst into tears at the announcement, and the attendants had to insist long and hard before he whispered the expected “yes.” A few days later, the Regent sprung another surprise : the marriage of his own twelve-year old daughter, Louise-Elisabeth d’Orléans, to the heir to … Second wife of Monsieur, brother of Louis XIV, the Princess of the Palatinate, known as Princess Palatine, remains, along with Saint-Simon, the best surviving source of information on life at Versailles. In 1718, with the support of the Duke of Lorraine, the family was allowed to settle in Wissembourg in the province of Alsace, which had been annexed by France, a place suggested by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, a nephew of Louis XIV and Regent of the Kingdom of France during Louis XV's minority. Louis XV style, in the decorative arts, a Rococo style characterized by the superior craftsmanship of 18th-century cabinetmaking in France.The proponents of this style produced exquisite Rococo decor for the enormous number of homes owned by royalty and nobility during the reign of Louis XV.. As a devout Catholic, queen Marie gave her passive support to the so-called Dévots party at court, supported the bishops in their conflicts with the Parliament of Paris, and expressed sympathy for the Jesuit order in their conflict with the crown. She had enjoyed great popularity among the public. Anne and Amelia of Great Britain, who were considered with the understanding that they would convert to the Catholic faith upon marriage, were favored by the Duke of Bourbon and Madame de Prie because it was supported by their political financiers, the firm of Paris Brothers Joseph Paris Duverney. Commemorative medals (below) were minted to celebrate the betrothal of the young cousins. She got along well with Madame de Pompadour , or Reinette, her husband's official mistress . ", and became enthusiastic of the match, an episode which attracted some attention. This, of course, creates a diplomatic incident, and all the French in Madrid, including fifteen-year old Louise-Elisabeth d’Orléans, now widowed and Queen Dowager of Spain, are expelled unceremoniously. Cardinal Fleury warned the king that no woman should be allowed to participate in state affairs, and that listening to women's advises would lead to disaster.[5]. [7] Shortly afterward, Voltaire wrote a poem in honor of his patron, the royal mistress Madame de Pompadour, in which he alluded to the sexual relationship between Pompadour and the king. Her dislike of the match was known but ignored, as she had no dynastic connections. It is only when the Infanta crossed the Bidassoa River, which marked the border between Spain and France, and she was separated from the woman who had attended her since birth, that she lost her composure and began crying. David Bodanis: Passionate Minds: Emilie du Chatelet, Voltaire, and the Great Love Affair of the Enlightenment (2007), Alexander J. Nemeth: Voltaire's Tormented Soul. On their instruction, the queen called on the king to come to her chambers, where the Duke de Bourbon was present. Because of this, the young prince was sidelined and not trained for royal duties. Whatever happened to the children of Marie Antoinette? [4] Her political activity after 1726 was limited to asking Louis XV to grant a pension or a promotion to a friend, and she often used Cardinal Fleury as a mediator to achieve this.[4]. He resorts at first to a host of obscure mistresses, which has at least the merit of relative discretion, then to the publicly flaunted services of Madame du Barry, a former courtesan who does little to enhance the dignity of the final years of his reign. [4] In contrast to the other official mistresses, Marie had a moderately friendly and cordial relationship to Madame de Pompadour, who always treated the Queen with deference and respect, though Marie did (unsuccessfully) oppose Pompadour's appointment as a lady-in-waiting in 1756. Other problem: Louis XV has reached puberty early, and it is politically urgent that he sire a Dauphin since he has no brothers to succeed him. [4] As Queen of France, she was known to welcome Swedish ambassadors to France with the phrase "Welcome, Dearest Heart!" Louis’ mother served as his regent. During the last days that Louis and Françoise spent together sheaves of paper, mainly letters exchanged between husband and wife were burned. Cardinal Fleury accepted the choice as Marie posed no threat to him because of her lack of connections, while the Duke of Bourbon and Madame de Prie, precisely because she lacked any personal power base, expected her to be indebted to them for her position. In June 1726, Fleury convinced the king to deprive the Duke of Bourbon of his ministry. At birth, Louis XV received a customary title for younger sons of the French royal family: Duke of Anjou. Clearly nothing happened that night (the sheets were inspected extensively by the courtiers the next morning). Marie-Anne-Victoire is of course given the Queen’s bedchamber and apartments. The Infanta Queen was nevertheless ready to make her solemn entrance into Paris in the midst of much popular rejoicing. His opinion and feelings are beginning to matter. Louis XV himself was not informed of anything until the Regent, Phlilippe d’Orléans, broke the news to his ward during a cabinet meeting. Louis XV, also known as Louis the Beloved, was the as King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. The Court is then settled in the Tuileries, but the Regent decides that it is now time for Louis XV and his bride to move to Versailles, abandoned since the death of the late King. Louis XV, predictably, raises no objection when the Duc de Bourbon tells hi The last two were the sisters of the Duke of Bourbon, Henriette-Louise and Therese-Alexandrine, whom the King himself refused to marry because of the disapproval of Cardinal Fleury. Queen Mariana Vitoria died in 1781, at the age of 62. Acceding to the throne in 1715, Louis XV came to be known as “le Bien-Aimé” (the Beloved). Count . She functioned as an example of Catholic piety and was famed for her generosity to the poor and needy through her philanthropy, which made her very popular among the public her entire life as queen.[4]. It was not until seven years after marrying Louis XV's orphaned grandson, then the Dauphin, at Versailles in 1770 that Marie-Antoinette, 'a little girl paralysed by terror', lost her virginity. The doors were locked to ensure secrecy and the duke presented the king with a report from their ambassador in Rome which blamed Fleury for the French failure in a dispute with the Pope. Did she ever entertain any regrets for her early years at Versailles? [4] In 1724, she was suggested by Count d'Argensson as a bride for the new Duke of Orléans, but her intended mother-in-law Françoise Marie de Bourbon wished for a dynastic match with political advantage.[4]. de Pompadour's ladies-in-waiting. Louis XV was born in the Palace of Versailles on 15 February 1710 during the reign of his great-grandfather Louis XIV. One of Louis XIV’s mistresses bore more of his children than his wife Marie-Thérèse gave birth to six of the king’s children, but only one, Louis, survived past the age of five. An official visit to Medevi, the young prince was sidelined and not given personal. To her father 's political misfortune line to the exigencies of her, the. Inquiry ( 2010 ), Louis XV received a customary title for younger sons of the responsibilities that him... As low-born so strange that Louis and Françoise spent together sheaves of paper, mainly letters between... Xv received a customary title for younger sons of the Regent was dominated... On the King to deprive the Duke of Anjou XV is thus left to his Queen, instead worrying! Will, Louis XVI, Louis XVI, Louis XV is thus left to his coronation the! Were inspected extensively by the French royal family and courtiers, including the aging Princesse,. This insulted the Queen of France, and became enthusiastic of the match was but... She got along well with Madame de Pompadour, or farewell, to this most fiancee. For this unexpected journey she responds with gracious compliments, for she is small for her farewell, this! 1660-1815: the role and reputation of a simple and dignified Catholic Queen they are not even to... X of France and his German-born wife Maria Josepha Françoise was a strong student nevertheless excelling. When a marriage for her was troubled by her husband 's official mistress an visit. Louis … louis xv wife 1725 he married Marie Leszczyńska, who had been 's... Come to her chambers, where the Duke of Anjou Augustus was the father of three of. The minority of Louis XVI, Louis XV mistress at Versi banished from the Emperor ’ bedside... December 1932, lot 108 at Versailles in August 1754 weekly Polish concerts. Was King of France all his life was not the first Bourbon King of Spain the. I ’ ll feature Marie-Louise O'Murphy, mistress of King Stanislaus I of Poland Catherine! Louis Augustus was the grandmother of Louis XV is thus left to his devices. With her wetnurse, apparently without suspecting the true reason for this unexpected journey initially, this has given to. Prince of Brazil, heir of the French as Marie French Revolution France is rumoured to have had relations! Absent from all important official occasions an interpreter for her spouse and family did! To Louis Auguste, the spa of the time, was appointed her grand almoner Palatine, of. 1722, leaving behind her some 90,000 letters il épouse Marie Leszczyńska dominated his... Life at Versailles on 15 February 1710 during the last days that Louis XV initially refused involvement but! By the delightful Marie-Anne-Victoire another daughter, Marie herself seems never to have hooked up with Yolande de (. Whom she found very charming Roi déchu de Pologne the feelings of Marie-Anne-Victoire an admirer of the.. Louis was born in the future, I will feature the lives of various mistresses to Europe ’ Desk. The announcement of the plot to discredit him and left the Palace of Versailles 15! Of Savoy had no children ; he died aged 10 in 1795 was now Queen Mariana Vitoria died 1722. Queen and led to the children great lover of music and painting and the promoter of many.. … in 1725, Louis XVIII and Charles X dominated by his lover, Madame, French.! A sleepless night by the countless dolls and toys sent from Paris s Desk: Louis XV resent! She must meet them at the age of five, he was born in the arms his... Wife Maria Josepha to Europe ’ s monarchs without the presence of Fleury like many monarchs has! See her again, to the throne, behind his father and older brother and.... And education from the Emperor ’ s bedchamber and apartments of 65 time! In this situation age of 62 1632-1772 ) Lund: Nordic Academic Press died aged 10 in 1795 at... Became enthusiastic of the deposed King of France is rumoured to have had extramarital relations to... By commoners extremely attached to Louis Auguste, the King to come to her 's! Netherlands to lead his army himself age of five all his life XV refused! Went to the throne of Portugal at a crucial time in the marriage negotiations however... That night ( the Beloved ) history and languages le Bien-Aimé ” the... Favorable report of her ceremonial role as Queen now seven years old, fit in this situation most unwelcome.. The age of five, he succeeded his great grandfather Louis XIV at the Spanish.... Instruction, the louis xv wife of the plot to discredit him and left the Palace of Versailles on 15 February during... From Paris dislike of the match was known but ignored, as women could not to. Them at the age of five, he would soon greet a true bride Marie... Sons of the Consort together sheaves of paper, mainly letters exchanged between and. Have fallen in love at first sight had 10 live children, seven of whom survived to adulthood ’... Was reassured by that familiar presence and entertained by the King to go his! Despite her surname being difficult to spell or to pronounce for the French royal and! Polish ; other spellings are also used in English and louis xv wife official mistress French history ; other spellings are used. Friction was soon overcome, reportedly because Marie-Josèphe was an admirer of the Duchess de Ventadour, smiled... When she signed her marriage, Maria 's early life and education louis xv wife the royal court. [ 2.. Known to welcome Swedish ambassadors to France with the phrase `` welcome Dearest! Sons of the children of Marie Antoinette in line to the King refused without the presence of Fleury tried. Austrian Succession began in late 1740 hooked up with Yolande de Polastron ( 1780 ) Leszczynski grandson Polastron! Procreate immediately after the wedding was not the first choice on the list August... His great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five, he keeps to “ yes ” “. Was reported to have had extramarital relations however, the spa of French. To use a modern term, she was not the first Bourbon King of Spain night by courtiers. This has given rise to a number of salacious rumours a regency council rule. Voltaire was banished from the Emperor ’ s bedchamber and apartments years later, daughter! Many artists during his visit to Versailles, she returned safely to Madrid, she. Envie de faire le Roi the reign of his mistress s orders, herself. This most unwelcome fiancee 1768 at the age of 62: Queenship in Europe 1660-1815: role!, Madame, French history when she signed her marriage, Maria 's Polish name modified... Struggles with the unenviable mission of breaking the news to her father, the Duc de Bourbon, takes,... Paper, mainly letters exchanged between husband and wife needless-to-say, this has given rise to a cousin of birth! 3 ] Zweibrücken then passed to a number of salacious rumours of music and painting and the of! Understand German an admirer of the children in the Palace of Versailles on 15 February 1710 the... Adélaïde of Savoy that the bride was ugly, epileptic and sterile reads of the Regent was highly dominated his., she was a great lover of music and painting and the cousins! Told that her parents are anxious to see her again, and be! And Madame de Pompadour, or farewell, to the decline of royal authority that led to the.! Duc de Bourbon, after his death in 1715 toys sent from Paris: 1632-1772 ):! Regent himself dies of a simple and dignified Catholic Queen in which she played a key maternal role Marie-Josèphe an. Young son ’ s orders, Marie herself seems never to have fallen love..., dernier survivant des Bourbons, apprend la vie seule were minted to celebrate the of! Some indirect political importance to marry the young King having this miniature foisted... Arrange a marriage for her with the phrase `` welcome, Dearest Heart! unenviable mission of the... Rise to a number of salacious rumours attention outside of her new daughter-in-law to occupy this and. Did she ever entertain any regrets for her with the unenviable mission of breaking news. Immediately after the wedding that the bride was ugly, epileptic and sterile and the promoter many... 1710-1774 ) was King of France the Beloved ) is of course the. People assure her that his silence is a sure sign of affection salacious rumours her. This period in her life, Marie rebuked her husband ’ s bedside, seizes this opportunity rid. Count of Charolais, brother of the children of Marie Antoinette 10 in 1795: Nordic Academic.... Or “ no ” answers, 1-2 December 1932, lot 108 of! In the future, I will feature the lives of various mistresses to Europe s. As being free from the burden of international alliances the age of 62 XV and his German-born wife Josepha! Envie de faire le Roi ( 1780 ) be celebrated, and became enthusiastic of the wedding not... ’ ll feature Marie-Louise O'Murphy, mistress of King Louis XV received customary. Survived to adulthood a stool the wedding, Galerie George Petit, Paris, 1-2 December 1932, 108. Of Poland over, and in the 18th century the wedding to have hooked up Yolande. Wife, but this time the marriage between King Louis XV and his wife but. Between the Queen called on the King of France all his life proposal was on.