Most of the works I
have read on Louis XIV have been written by Anglophone historians who are
writing history from a British or an American perspective.
This was the first time I had read a book on
Louis XIV by a leading French historian. He deeply understands his subject and immerses himself in the attitudes
of France during the Ancien Regime. It is a profoundly insightful account that challenges common perceptions
of absolutism.
He brings Louis XIV to
life in such exquisite detail, showing Louis XIV's intelligence and compassion
towards others, which is at odds with the absolutist monarch of the popular imagination.
Traces the long, intrigue-filled, and opulent life of the Sun King, during whose seventy-three year reign France became the leading power of Europe and celebrated a golden age of culture
This
is an extremely detailed and comprehensive account of the French bodyguard to
the King of France under Louis XIV.
Chartrand is a leading expert in his field but conveys the subject
in a lively and accessible way. Although
geared towards military enthusiasts, it is an enjoyable read for audiences of
all interests.
Highly recommended if you
want to know what the King’s Musketeers (as made famous by Alexandre Dumas)
were really like!
The reign of Louis XIV of France had a great impact on the course of European and world military history. The years 1643 to 1715 were a defining epoch for western military, diplomatic and economic matters. Most of those years were marked by conflict between major European powers and the Sun King’s forces. This four volume series is the first that present an extensive account of the many facets of the French army and the wars it fought.
It was an era during which the Sun King’s and eventually all armies saw extraordinarily significant changes such as: the advent of…
I spent time with family who were Scottish
expats in France, and this is a subject close to my heart.
I used to visit
Versailles regularly, and I quickly learned about the Scottish
communities in France during the reign of Louis XIV.
This work focuses on Scottish soldiers who
served Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Many years later, while exploring my
family history, I discovered that an ancestor, George Gordon, 2nd Marquis of Huntly, raised a unit of Gendarmes for King Louis XIII.
This volume examines the role and significance of Scottish soldiers in France in the age of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The study examines the complex relationship of expatriate Scottish soldiers to their homeland and native sovereign, within the context of a changing environment for military employment. The amity of the so-called 'auld' alliance meant little in an age of rapid development in the relationship between armies and the states they served. Caught in the middle were a number of Scots, attempting to perpetuate traditional modes of employment abroad. They found themselves the target of increasing pressures to commit wholeheartedly…
A secret war rages between Louis XIV and
William of Orange, a conflict that threatens the stability and security of
France and a fight that will determine the future of Europe. Only John Hamilton and his men in La Garde
Ecossaise can protect the French realm.
It is time for the secret history of La
Garde Ecossaise to be told and the stories of those men who dedicated their
lives to protect innocents from certain death. These are their stories and the chronicle of the lives they saved.
This is the story of Lieutenant-General John
Hamilton, the head of an elite group of soldiers in La Garde Ecossaise tasked
with keeping France safe from its enemies.
