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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:11:28 GMT
For Honour by Chevalier Zacharie Grosjean
Purveyors of the art of the killing were treated to an unexpected affair in the second week of May. It seems that two gentleman, Mssr Cadieux and Subaltern Fabrezan of the French Guard, arrived at the doorstep of the lusty Mlle Bertrand intent upon gaining an audience with the young woman. The surprise (of all three parties) was quite evident. Each gentleman demanded that the other stand down, Mssr Cadieux owing to his higher social standing and Subaltern Fabrezan to his “purer intentions”, but neither would yield. Swords were drawn.
The affair was much longer than the one between two certain Grand Ducs in March due to the fact that the impromptu duel wasn’t to merely first blood. Mssr Cadieux used his rapier in a pedantic yet effective series of lunges whereas Subaltern Fabrezan used a combination of slashes and parries with his own rapier. Mssr. Cadieux’s attacks were quicker and struck home more often but in the end it was the Subaltern’s greater strength and endurance that carried the day. Several minutes into the affair, Mssr Cadieux must have realized that he was outmatched and yielded the field to Subaltern Fabrezan.
Unfortunately, the young lady that was the object of the duel had fled leaving the two potential suitors to seek succor elsewhere.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:12:18 GMT
The Social Whirlwind by Sieur Matheus Mallette
May brings a close to a rather uneven social season at times eventful and at others a total bore. The army deploys for the summer campaign next month and I doubt that we will see much of interest until September.
Two Royal Balls were scheduled early in the month. At the first, Lord Bougiedure was elevated to his third (!) Grand Duchy. This lofty achievement may have been weighing heavily on the Grand Duc’s mind as neither his wit nor his dancing were exceptionally sharp. Lord and Lady Balls made up for any lack of conversation to the delight of the King. Their evening, however, was marred by a fainting spell that overcame Lady Balls during a quadrille.
His Holiness, Pope Urban VIII, was the guest of honor at the Royal Ball in the second week of May, along with the Parisian clergy which in retrospect might not have been the wisest choice the Royal Steward could have made. The tension between the nobility and the clergy was evident and no few slights were made. Lord Balls took exception to a comment from a Noble of the Sword about the presence of those of common birth, causing a scene that almost resulted in a duel. Lord and Lady Bougiedure were unusually mute at the event not surprising, perhaps, given the Grand Duc’s purported wild youth and the absence of Lord de Bearne was commented on by the King. The true star of the evening, however, was Father Vincent de Pooh. He was very eloquent and well informed on clerical matters, impressing both Pope and Cardinal.
The Theatre Royal was the other hot bed of social activity with much of Paris attending the performance of Dionysus in Diana’s Grove. Lord de Bearne was observed alone in a private box on opening night while Subalterns Fabrezan and Buisson sat in the general audience. The two Subalterns tried to crash the Opening Night party at the Fleur-de-Lys but were turned away for lacking sufficient social standing to attend. The Grand Duc de Deols suffered no such indignity and attended without incident or escort.
The Grand Duc and Duchess de Chevreuse hosted their friends the Viscomte and Viscomtessa de Torcy in a private box at the Theater Royal in the third week of May. Father Vincent was also in attendance. A good time was had by all.
Elsewhere, Mssr Cadieux arrived at the Fleur-de-Lys in the first week of the month to meet with a potential patron, Lord De’Ath, only to be denied entrance as the Viscomte de Ploërmel was en route to attend to a family matter in Picardy.
The spring social season ended quietly in the fourth week of May as Parisians attended to military or religious duties or spent time at home doing God know what.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:12:35 GMT
A Romantic Interlude by Comtessa Yvonne De Villepin
The duel between Subaltern Fabrezan and Mssr Cadieux while swoon worthy cast a pall over affairs of the heart this month. I was so hoping that the young army officer would succeed in his attempts to woo Mlle. Betrand before departing for the front. And though I applaud the up and coming artist for wadding in to debutante scene I have reports that his intentions were less than honorable.
Lord Bougiedure fully paid any arrears of attention to his wife as he escorted her to two Royal Balls and to the theater. Lord Balls was equally attentive to his lady despite not needing to be.
I have reports that Lord de Bearne was seen loitering outside of Viscomtessa de Lyon’s mansion hoping for an audience in the third week of May and that the lady was disinclined to acquis. She did, however, decided that he had been punished long enough and the couple made up at the end of the month.
The Ladies of Paris gave a sigh of relief as Lord De’Ath was out of town most of the month although I expect that he will put himself back on the market very soon. Mdm d’Armagnac meanwhile has once again dropped out of sight.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:13:01 GMT
Limelight
The Archduke’s Men production, Dionysus in Diana’s Grove, was a raunchy and hilarious good time. It will undoubtedly go down as one of their greatest works ever. The bawdy comedy follows the adventures of Dionysus, presumably before he became a Greek god, in debauching the maiden servants of the goddess Diana. He isn’t always successful but his failures were often funnier. The best scene had to be when he was juggling the seduction of three of the maidens at the same time without each of them finding out! The only critique that I have of the production is that the Archduke rarely employs beautiful actresses but the revealing nature of the ladies’ gown ensured that the audience wasn’t spending much time focused on their faces.
5/5– Gerard Bushell
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:13:18 GMT
La Gallerie Veritie by Celeste Lundenburg
After what seems like an age there is finally a new artist in Paris to write about. Mssr Clement Cadieux presented his first work, Bridge Crossing the Seine on a Beautiful Spring Day. Though I am no mason, the bridge looked accurately depicted in a light and airy environment. In my mind, though, it would have better done had the artist portrayed the bridge under dark skies with a heavy rain.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:13:32 GMT
An Ecumenical Matter by Bishop Henry Defour
Father Adam de la Bassee appears to have suffered some sort of relapse and spent the month in the care of the Sisters of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
The visit of His Holiness, Pope Urban VIII, was very successful. Both he and Cardinal Richelieu were very impressed with Father Vincent de Pooh. That young priest bears watching.
My condolences go out to Father William on the passing of his sister.
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:15:36 GMT
Reports from the Front by General Georges Boulle (rtd.)
The Siege of Lille is broken by a Spanish relief force and Hapsburgian forces increased activity in Lorraine. Both Ministers of Foreign Affairs decide to focus on France’s eastern border with Lord Lyon increasing hostilies in Flanders and the Hapsburgian in Lorraine. Cardinal Richelieu has announced that the Campaign Army will deploy to Lorraine at the beginning of June.
Flanders Frontier
The Royal Cravattes are broken in their attempt to ward off a Spanish brigade relieving the siege of Liege. The Frontier Brigade commander is forced to break off the siege and return to friendly territory.
Lorraine Frontier
Probing attack by both sides foreshadow an increase in hostilities next month.
Savoy Frontier
The Savoyard rebels attack against the frontier regiment fails to gain anything substantial.
Spanish Frontier
The Spanish Frontier Regiment has a peaceful month in garrison.
Next month:
Flanders Frontier HL 5 Guerilla War Siege
Lorraine Frontier HL 10 War Defense
Savoy Frontier HL 1 Peace Garrison
Spanish Frontier HL 1 Peace Garrison
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Post by Louis XIV on Jul 27, 2023 1:18:23 GMT
Court Circular
June
Location – Flanders Frontier
Week 1 – Travel to Flanders
Week 2 – Government
Week 3 – None
Week 4 – Address Troops
July
Location – Burgundy
Week 1 – Travel to Burgundy
Week 2 – Royal Envoy from Naples (with Royal Ball)
Week 3 – Hunt
Week 4 – Provincial Parlement
August
Location – Fontainbleu
Week 1 – Travel to Paris
Week 2 – Royal Ball
Week 3 – Hunt
Week 4 – Royal Ball
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