December 1636

[Louis XIV]

The Social Whirlwind by Sieur Matheus Mallette

I can only wonder what energies drive His Majesty for once again the Royal Court is in the provinces, in Provence this time, to host foreign dignitaries. I am all but done in by all the travel this year and look forward to spending January and February in Paris. It seems that many of the court’s most distinguished are of a similar opinion (although Lord Bougiedure can be excused as he is leading troops at the front) and Lord Huillaume seems to have forgotten his duties as Commander of the Royal Foot Guards, sending the regiment to attend to the King whilst he remained in Paris to teach at the Military Academy and paint.

Lord and Lady Balls did catch up to the court in the third week of December long enough to attend the reception for the envoy from Naples and for August to receive a second barony in Aquitane. In manners, however, the newly styled Baron de Basse-Marche was outshone by his wife.

In Paris, Clement Cadieux along with Fathers William and Vincent attended the Debutante’s Ball in the first week of December. Both priests attended a party at the Fleur-de-Lys in the fourth week hosted by Lord De’Ath while Mssr Cadieux refined his artistic talents at the University de Paris.

[Louis XIV]

A Romantic Interlude by Comtessa Yvonne De Villepin

The heavy snows that descended upon Paris this month seems to have dampened the ardor of the young gentlemen of Paris. Lord Huillaume was withdrawn from society this month as one would expect after the appalling behavior of Mlle Bougiedure at court last month.

Sadly, the only event to report upon this month is the Debutante’s Ball at Madame Duschene’s Academy in the first week of December. Notable amongst the young ladies entering society this year are Jeanne-Baptiste de Lyon, daughter of the Viscomte de Montfort, Charlotte Favre, daughter of a wealthy gentleman from Aquitane, and Angélique Martel and Yolande Bertrand, daughters of more common stock. The widow Heloise d’Armagnac attended the event as well, hopefully to find a paramour more to her liking than her last.

I was rather bemused by the number of men of the cloth in attendance. Paris seems overrun with their ilk in recent months. All were ever vigilant as to the morality and propriety of the event and it took no little coaxing (and a bit of strong arming) to get them to dance even the most demure of promandes. Which in retrospect made not have been the wisest choice. The dancing at this year’s event was the most ghastly display of recent memory. None of the attendees showed any of the grace, save Father Vincent, which one would expect of the gentle classes. Indeed, Father William flattened his partner, leaving the poor lady senseless for most of the rest of the evening!

In discourse, Jeanne-Bapiste demonstrate the finest wit as is befitting a daughter of the nobility. The manners of the gentlemen at the event left much to be desired, however, especially the artist so recently arrived in Paris, Clement Cadieux.

[Louis XIV]

An Ecumenical Matter by Bishop Henry Defour

The cold weather has affected the spiritual fortitude of the clergy as this month’s sermons ranges from the merely adequate to the terrible to the horrendously bad.

Father William gave a sermon in praise to Saint Ambrose in the second week of December apparently forgetting that that the Saint’s feast day is in the first week of December. Perhaps the collision on the dance floor the previous week cause the good Father to forget the date.

Father Vincent sermon on everlasting life in the third week was better but one just.

Father Fabrice’s sermon was so bad that he end up putting himself to sleep before the homily! He was so deeply asleep that he could not be awaken and service had to be completed by an alter boy.

[Louis XIV]

Reports from the Front by General Georges Boulle (rtd.)

The Summer Division under the command of Lord Bougiedure deploys to the Savoy Front.


Flanders Frontier

The Flanders Frontier Regiment successfully defended Lille and will take to the field against Spanish force.


Lorraine Frontier

Desultory patrols by the frontier regiment were insufficient to deter Hapsburgian forces.


Savoy Frontier

The Savoyard rebels back by Milanese infantry were unsuccessful against Lord Bougiedure’s defense although their efforts were hampered by the weather. Lord Bougiedure received a second Croix de Roi, a mention in dispatches in lieu of promotion and a little loot.


Spanish Frontier

The Spanish Frontier Regiment is defeated by increased Spanish activity.



Next month:

Flanders Frontier HL 3 Alert Field Ops

Lorraine Frontier HL 2 Garrison Garrison

Savoy Frontier HL 7 Inclusion Field Ops

Spanish Frontier HL 4 Raiding Field Ops

[Louis XIV]

Court Circular


January

Location – Tuileries

Week 1 – Travel
Week 2 – Major Envoy from Prussia-Brandenburg
Week 3 – The Futurity
Week 4 – None


February

Location - Louvre

Week 1 – Government
Week 2 – Government
Week 3 – Government
Week 4 – The St. Denis Stakes

[Louis XIV]

Doctor Armand Livarot, FRAS

The Commissioner for Public Health announce that the outbreak of disease that so recently plagued Paris has been brought under control. Brothels are allowed to reopen in January.

[Father William Souris]

A letter written by Father William but never sent...

Bishop Henry Defour,

The saints day - 7th December - a Sunday in the year of our Lord 1636, is by my calculation the first day of the second week of December. The last day of November being the first day of the first week of December. As I gave my Sermon on the 7th... and had been forced to dance the day before, things can get confusing!

The weeks of the Calendar do not align with the days of the week. Indeed by some measures December had five weeks!

[Louis XIV]

The Racing Form by Lancelot Lémieux

The results of this year’s horserace auction

Name                 Winning Bidder
Royal Jester         Lord Balls
La Bagette           Mssr Devereu
Lady of Flanders   King Louis
Louis d’ Or           Lord Balls