A real life Cinderella or scheming social climber? The story behind Louis XIV’s secret wife.

Few figures of France’s Ancien Régime are as enigmatic and divisive as the Marquise de Maintenon. She has been portrayed as ...
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Life of Marie Anne de Bourbon in the Court of Louis XIV

Born into the glittering but ruthless world of Louis XIV’s France, Marie Anne de Bourbon lived a life shaped by absolute monarchy, court intrigue, and her father’s iron rule.
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10 Tawdry Royal Scandals From King Louis XIV to Ann Boleyn | Smithsonian Channel

From mistresses to scandalous engagements and everything in between, here are 10 truly tawdry tales from the Royals. 0:00 - Intro to 10 Tawdry Royal Scandals 0:29 - Louis XIV's Many Mistresses 2:31 - ...