May 1638

[Louis XIV]

The Social Whirlwind by Sieur Matheus Mallette

The Court returned to the Louvre this month but the Royal Steward kept the schedule light in consideration of Her Majesty’s impending confinement

Lords Bougiedure and de Bearne attended the Royal Ball in the first week of May. Both Grand Ducs were their usual shining examples of nobility and grace but Chevreuse was the master of the dance. Both Lords attended private audiences with the King but His Majesty appeared to be bored by both.  The King did, however, invest Lord Bougiedure with the title Baron de Meaux and awarded him a substantial estate in Ile-de-France.

Across town Lord Balls attended the opening night of the The Italian Governess at the Theatre Royale with his wife. The couple also attended the after party at the Rose and Crown.

Lord Bougiedure escorted his very pregnant wife to the performance of The Italian Governess in the second week.

Lord de Bearne participated in the Parlement of Paris in the final week of May but failed to generate a groundswell of enthusiasm from the other city officials.

[Louis XIV]

A Romantic Interlude by Comtessa Yvonne De Villepin

Lady Bougiedure has given birth to a healthy baby boy. I have advance information that the child is to be named after Lord Bougiedure’s deceased boyhood friend and fellow officer in the Dragoon Guards, Renald de al Azur.

Lady Balls returned to society, attend the theater and dance classes with her husband.

Mdm De’Ath also attended dance classes at Madam Duschene’s

The right virtuous Mlle des Marais has attracted the attention of no one other than the Father William Souris who was seen attending to the good lady’s religious needs at her home then escorting her to church in the third week of May!

[Louis XIV]

Limelight

The Archduc’s Men performance of The Italian Governess, was an acceptable diversion but the lack of any birds of quality made the romantic escapades of the titular foreign au pair more farcical than enticing.

[Louis XIV]

An Ecumenical Matter by Bishop Henry Defour

Father William gave a confused sermon at his parish in the second week of May. There are whispers that it was due to his very personal attentions to the religious needs of one Mlle de Marais.

[Louis XIV]

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

Orders have been given for the Summer Campaign. The First Army under the command of Lord Bougiedure will deploy to Lorraine, the Second Army to Flanders, and the Third to the Spanish Frontier.


Flanders Frontier

A strong Spanish incursion from the Neatherlands forces the Fronter Regiment to withdraw.


Lorraine Frontier

The assault of the Hapsburg forces is relentless and catches the Frontier Brigade Commander in a ruse that leads him to expose a flank and costs him his life. The Brigade was forced from its defensive position but excellent coordination between the troop of the Dragoon Guards led by brevet Brigadier Buisson and Lord Bougiedure’s Chevreuse Guard Company allowed the Frontier Regiment to withdraw in good order to new defensive works. For his efforts, Sieur Nobert was promoted to full Brigadier, awarded the Croix de Guerre medal, mentioned in dispatches, and received a bit of loot.


Savoy Frontier

The Savory Frontier Brigade won a skirmish against the Savoyard rebels.


Spanish Frontier

Field operations against the Spanish are inconsequential.



Next month:

Flanders Frontier HL 10 WAR     Defense

Lorraine Frontier HL 10 WAR     Defense

Savoy Frontier    HL 1  Peace    Garrison

Spanish Frontier HL 10 WAR     Field Operations

[Louis XIV]

Court Circular

June

Location – Louvre

Week 1 – Envoy (with Titling Ceremony for Lord Bougiedure)
Week 2 – Parlement
Week 3 – None
Week 4 – Government


July

Location – Savoy Frontier

Week 1 – Travel
Week 2 – Government
Week 3 – None
Week 4 – Travel


August

Location – Fontainebleau

Week 1 – Hunt
Week 2 – Hunt
Week 3 – Hunt
Week 4 – None