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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 22, 2022 2:34:50 GMT
The Racing Form by Lancelot Lémieux
The Downs, held in the second week of March, turned into the most thrilling race of the season! Black Rose was fastest out of the starting gate, hotly pursued by La Grand Rue and Silvermane. Black Rose maintained the lead through the clubhouse turn but Lady Arabella quickly closed the distance and took the lead through the backstretch. Madam Ludenberg’s horse appears to stumble going into the far turn, permitting the majority of the field to overcome her and continue the pursuit of Lady Arabella. Coming into home stretch, there was a pack of five horses all vying for the fleur-de-lys garland. In the end, Silvermane’s speed overcame Lady Arabella’s lead, with Wilting Thistle, Sir Coco, and Five Livres crossing the finish within a horse length of each other.
Results
Win – Silvermane
Place – Lady Arabella
Show – Wilting Thistle
4th – Sir Coco
5th – Five Livres
6th – Black Rose
7th – La Grand Rue
8th – White Gold
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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 22, 2022 2:36:04 GMT
The Social Whirlwind by Sieur Matheus Mallette
The first week of March saw the proper sending off of Lord Bougiedure, Grand Duc de Chevreuse, into the land of marital bliss with a proper stag party hosted by Lord Legarde de Bearne at the Fleur de Lys, attended by members of the Grand Duc’s former regiment, The Dragoon Guards, including Lieutenant Hans Hoffman. Also in attendance were noted financier Lord Balls and renowned physician Sieur Bastion. Much wine was consumed and the tales of battlefield prowess grew longer as the evening went on.
The Downs horserace was held in the second week of March. Lord Bougiedure hosted his sister Brigette and her gentleman, Sieur Bastion, in the owner’s box. Fortune certainly smiled upon the Grand Duc as in addition to Silvermane winning the race, the King and Queen stopped by his box to wish he and Mlle leBeau great felicitations on their upcoming wedding. Meanwhile in the Pavilion, Lord and Lady Legarde de Bearne and Lord and Lady Balls enjoyed the race although they rather inexplicably did not consort with each other. Mdm d’Armagnac again drank prodigiously but not, regrettably, to such an extent as to cause a scene.
Their Majesties hosted Bishop Salvatori Giordano, the envoy from the Papal States, in a Royal Ball at the Louvre Palace in the third week. At the ceremony, Lord Legarde de Bearne was elevated to that most prestigious rank of Grand Duc. Witty conversation flowed freely from both Lord Legarde de Bearne and Lord Bougiedure, but it was Mlle leBeau who commanded the attention of the entire court by her graceful performance on the ballroom floor.
Also in the third week was the marriage of Hans Hoffman to Susana Lahey. The small Lutheran ceremony was attended by Lord and Lady Balls, Sieur Bastion and a rather vexed Mlle Bougiedure, and Mdm d’Armagnac. Lord Balls stood up with Lieutenant Hoffman. The reception at the Rose and Crown was similarly intimate. As expected, Mdm d’Armagnac was observed seeking out additional refreshment.
In contrast, the marriage of Lord Bougiedure and Mlle leBeau was a tour-de-force, demonstrating the full grandeur and authority of the Catholic Church. Everyone who is anyone in Paris were in attendance, including Lord and Lady Legarde De Bearne, Lord and Lady Balls, Sieur Bastion escorting Mlle Bougiedure, Lieutenant and Mdm Hoffman, and Mdm d’Armagnac. Even the Queen attend, although she declined to attend the reception. Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu lead the Mass and united the couple in holy matrimony, as the Grand Duc de Deols as best man looked on. The Dragoon Guards provided a guard of honor and escorted their former regimental commander’s coach before and after the ceremony.
The reception afterwards at the Fleur-de-Lys was sumptuous affair impressive to noble and commoner alike. One must wondered what the father of the bride, Mssr leBeau, must have paid to awe his new in-laws in addition to what must have been a very hefty dowry. Mdm d’Armagnac, never one to conform to propriety, got so inebriated that she got into a drunken row with Lady Legarde de Bearne and the constabulary had to be summoned. The widow will spend a week in gaol for drunken and disorderly conduct. Best. Wedding Present. Ever.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 22, 2022 2:36:44 GMT
A Romantic Interlude by Comtessa Yvonne De Villepin
Gentle Reader, I am so overcome with emotion at two (!) weddings in the last weeks of this month that I can scarce find the strength to write my column but I shall endeavor!
The two brides, both radiant on their special days, were a study in contrasts. Mdm Hoffman was dressed in a sensible, albeit subdued, wedding gown befitting her protestant faith. Mdm Bougiedure’s wedding gown was a splendid green and gold with yards of lace. The selections were both appropriate to their venues with the more somber outfit justly keeping the attention on the vows being exchanged and the more extravagant needed to ensure that the bride was not overshadowed by the splendor of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and the Cardinal. We wish long life, deep love, and many children for both brides.
Sieur Bastion seems intent to pay off arrears of incivility and poor treatment of his former companions in his gracious attentions and behavior toward Mlle Bougiedure. Had it not been for Lord Bougiedure’s stag party at the beginning of the month, perhaps the good docteur would have spent the entire month in Mlle Bougiedure’s company.
Jean d’Eau was observed at the bawdyhouse twice this month. It is said that he met with ruffians on the way home after one evening. Perhaps he should seek the stability of a more permanent arrangement.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 22, 2022 2:37:19 GMT
Financial News by Comte de Money
The winter expedition to the Holy Lands has safely returned to the port of Marseille and cargos of exotic spices, Egyptian cotton, coffee and chocolate have arrived in Paris. Investors received a 30% return on their capital. I hope that the spring expedition to the New World launched earlier this month meets with similar success
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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 23, 2022 2:43:45 GMT
Reports from the Front by General Georges Boulle (rtd.)
The Minister of State has authorized two Armies and nine regiments for the Summer Campaign which is good because the Spanish have begun increasing pressure on several fronts.
Flanders Frontier
The Flanders Frontier Regiment lackluster patrols fail to bring the Spanish to battle.
Lorraine Frontier
The Lorraine Frontier Regiment subdued enemy forces in the Siege of Toul. Several key positions were taken. Private Aloys Gauthier was in the vanguard of an attack and personally seized the enemy colors. He is mentioned in dispatches, promoted to Subaltern, and gained a sizable amount of Spanish loot.
Savoy Frontier
Milanese forces crossed the Savoyard frontier to besiege the fortress of Briançon. The gallant Savoy Frontier Regiment fought an effective defense and broke the enemy forces by sending companies and smaller detachments in multiple sorties
Spanish Frontier
Despite deployment of the Royal North Highlander Brigade and the Queen’s Own Carabiners, the Spanish manage to elude our troops in the field.
Next month:
Flanders Frontier HL 3 Alert Field
Lorraine Frontier HL 4 Raiding Field
Savoy Frontier HL 4 Raiding Field
Spanish Frontier HL 7 Incursion Field
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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 23, 2022 2:45:24 GMT
Court Circular
Lord Lagarde de Bearne and Lord Bougiedure are elevated to Comte (second titles)
April
Location - Tuileries
Week 1 – The Paris Derby
Week 2 – Royal Ball (including the titling ceremony of Lord Bougiedure)
Week 3 – Major Envoy
Week 4 – Royal Ball (including the titling ceremony of Lord Lagarde de Bearne)
May
Location - Louvre
Week 1 – Government
Week 2 – None
Week 3 – Government
Week 4 – Government
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Post by Louis XIV on Jun 30, 2022 0:49:17 GMT
The Racing Form by Lancelot Lémieux
Entries to the Paris Derby, scheduled for the first week in April, have been finalized. Odds for the upcoming race are as follows
Silvermane 2 to 1 (Favorite)
Five Livres 3 to 1
Silver Kitten 4 to 1
Lady Arabella 5 to 1
Big Brown 5 to 1
Black Rose 5 to 1
Morning Blossom 7 to 1
Athena 7 to 1
The Belle of Languedoc 10 to 1
Sir Coco 10 to 1
Wilting Thistle 25 to 1
Wildflame 50 to 1
Sea Fury 50 to 1
La Grand Rue 100 to 1
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