On this day, Mme de Maintenon writes to Mme de Brinon:
“I have passed your compliments on to the King about the good fortune of his arms and the personal merit of the Duc du Maine; he has commanded me to thank you for them and also for your great interest in these matters. For me, it is true that I rejoice in both the one and the other, and that I am delighted to be able to hope for peace, which, it seems to me, is all that is left for us to desire…”
Commentary:
Louis XIV’s secret, second wife is wildly optimistic in her hopes for peace. They could fairly be described as wishful thinking. The war, currently in its first full calendar year, will in fact drag on for another 7 years. It is remembered as the Nine Years War, among other names.
Pictured: Louis-Auguste de Bourbon (1670-1736), Duc du Maine, Louis XIV’s elder son by Mme de Montespan, circa 1690 by Troy.
The 20-year-old Duc du Maine is Mme de Maintenon’s favourite among her step-children, Louis XIV’s legitimated offspring by Mme de Montespan. Her ascent to her present lofty position began as their governess. Maine is presently at the front with the King. Mme de Brinon’s compliment on his “personal merit” may regarded as flattery to his father. Bestowed with the rank of lieutenant-general in his teens, he never actually performs any useful or noteworthy service in the field, unlike his younger brother the Comte de Toulouse, who eventually turns out a competent naval commander.
Pictured: Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon (1678-1737), Comte de Toulouse, Louis XIV’s younger son by Mme de Montespan, in 1693 by Boulogne.
Mme de Brinon, nominally the superior of the school at Saint-Cyr, an appointment supposedly for life, has resided at the abbey of Maubuisson since being replaced by Mme de Loubert, formerly Mme de Maintenon’s secretary, after a falling out. Nonetheless, she remains one of Mme de Maintenon’s regular correspondents.
The translation from the French is my own, as it always is unless I credit someone else. If you have questions that I have not addressed, please ask in the comments.
Louis XIV had a special feebleness for le Duc de Maine, thing that can't be said for Mdm de Montespan. Fine fellow and had quite a leading role during la Régence. I think he should be more prominently studied on the Bourbon Dinasty.
Disappointing silver spoon born offspring. An age old theme in this European era (snd every other)!