Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 40

[cahn]

I'm trying to use my other account at least occasionally so I posted about my Yuletide gifts there, including the salon-relevant 12k fic that features Fritz, Heinrich, Voltaire, Fredersdorf, Saint Germain, Caroline Daum (Fredersdorf's wife), and Groundhog Day tropes! (Don't need to know canon.)

Comments

Re: Voltaire: The Age of Louis XIV: 2

[mildred_of_midgard]

Indeed. I just saw I substituted "Richelieu" for "Voltaire" more than once. Neither of them would be amused. :)

Whereas we are greatly amused! :D

Voltaire presents is specifically in the Roman context and doesn't say it happened this way anywhere else.

Yeah, fair, I also have this impression of Rome.

Anyway, Louis saying that he doesn't follow other examples, everyone else should follow his example is just about the most Louis XIV statement ever, which was my main reason for including the story.

This is very true! It reminds me of the story I shared a while back:

Riva was almost in tears as he said that the good king had thought to provide him not only with a horse but an extra pair of riding boots. From Lauzun's perspective, on the other hand, it was just like James II to have nothing better to do at a time like this. Since James's cousin Louis XIV was of an entirely different caliber. He went walking in the rain, while being the only one allowed to wear a hat, because of his rank, and he asked his companions if it wasn't unpleasant, having to go without a hat in the rain. And precisely because of that attitude, France was now the greatest power in Europe.

It's good to be the (Sun) King.

long term modern style nationalism, and so it's no wonder that late 19th century man (and politician) Macauly pulls something like this.

Yes, indeed.