“What is all this?” Captain Marchal is not in a good mood. He removes his hat and gloves and throws his muddied cloak on a chair upon entering his office. He and his men have just returned from Royaumont riding all night in freezing rain, the roads treacherous, all slush and dirt. The pile of … Continue reading Chapter TwentyThree- Tempting Venus, by Mordaunt
Gatherings of Equal Minds: Ruelle, Salon, and the Chambre Bleue of Madame de Rambouillet
Réunion de dames, Abraham Bosse, 17th century The kind of gathering called “salon” first appeared in Italy in the 16th century, but developed in France throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Alongside fostering political and social alliances and exchanges, the purpose of such gatherings of “equal minds” adhered to Horatio’s definition of the purpose of … Continue reading Gatherings of Equal Minds: Ruelle, Salon, and the Chambre Bleue of Madame de Rambouillet
The Guest List of the Duchess de Chevreuse!
The Luynes Staircase at the Musée Carnavalet "Pandora" (Chapter 13), lists several guests from the gathering, at the townhouse of the Duchess de Chevreuse who have historical counterparts, besides Marie Cessette, M. de Rohan, and Sylvine Mercier, who are fictional. Below is a.... "who is who" from the duchess' guest list! Click here, find out why … Continue reading The Guest List of the Duchess de Chevreuse!
Duchess de Chevreuse
1. Attributed to Claude Deruet , Portrait of Marie de Rohan, Duchess of Chevreuse (1600-1679) as Diana the Huntress (circa 1627), Palace of Versailles; 2. Marie with her son Louis Charles; she poses as Diana and her son as Hercules; 3. Entourage of Daniel Dumonstier , Portrait of Marie de Rohan, Duchess of Luynes (circa … Continue reading Duchess de Chevreuse
Which Hôtel de Chevreuse?
Hôtel de Chevreuse, (later Hôtel d'Épernon, then Hôtel de Longueville) vs. Hôtel de Chevreuse (later Hôtel de Luynes). Street front of the Hôtel de Chevreuse (later Hôtel d'Épernon, and later Hôtel de Longueville) before 1655, engraved after Jean Marot and published in Topographia Galliae. This is great example of how aristocrats owned several mansions in Paris. … Continue reading Which Hôtel de Chevreuse?
Chapter Fifteen-Pandora, by Mordaunt
“Madame is in her salon…” the footman at the door barely has time to speak. M. de Rohan is already running up the stairs two at a time, hat in hand. He flings open the door of Marie Cessette’s private salon, where she sits at her writing desk finishing her daily correspondence. She springs to … Continue reading Chapter Fifteen-Pandora, by Mordaunt
Twelve Years After 