17 February 1688

From the Journal of the Marquis de Dangeau

On this day, memories of Charles II, Louis XIV’s English cousin and ally who died in 1685, are evoked at Versailles.

First, there is news of his widow:

“We have learned that the Dowager Queen of England wishes to retire to Portugal. The reasons that oblige her to set such a course are unknown. She has a dower income of 50,000 pounds.”

Then a reminder of th…