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__NOTOC__[[File:3031d50934e64c0853bdb85c6e90004f.png|thumbnail|left|200px|Season 2 of <i>Versailles focuses on increasing tensions at court as the nobles have numerous feuds against each other as well as with the king. Meanwhile, new religious fervor, headed by the queen (Queen Maria Theresa of Spain). External threats are also present, with William of Orange becoming more powerful in Holland and threatening Louis XIV's hold on power</i>]]<i>This article contains spoilers.</i>

==Historical Background==The second series begins at around 1671, a few years after Season 1 ended. By this point, <i>Check out our article on the Dauphin (the eldest son and heir historical accuracy of Louis XIV) has been recovered and the plot against him by Protestants and the Dutch has been thwarted. There were continued unrest, stemming from earlier revolts against the King and French nobility in general, during the so-called Fronde rebellion that occurred during Louis' childhood. This led to courtiers to spy and sometimes attempt to thwart Louis' ambitions, including through poisonings. Many 1st season of the poisonings were also done between nobles, as they attempted to attain power or kill rival nobles, such as the killing of one of Louis' ministers (the Affair [[How Historically Accurate is season 1 of the Poisons)Versailles?|Versailles]]</i>.

Several main characters are killed in Season 2 of Versailles focuses on increasing tensions at court as the second season, including Claudine (the doctor) and nobles have numerous feuds against each other as well as with the chief gardener at Versaillesking. Meanwhile, Louis and his brother (Philippe I, Duke of Orléans) continue their feudingnew religious fervor, where finally headed by the Duke returns to court under the wishes queen (Queen Maria Theresa of his brother. In fact, a key event is the marriage of the Duke, after his wife (who was purported to be Louis' loverSpain), had died, allegedly from poisoning in Season 1. The new marriage, with Princess Palatine, seems to start at a difficult level for the two, but soon it evolves into a friendship with the Duke sometimes performing his duties in the marital bed despite his homosexuality. In fact, this causes tensions in the episodes, as the Chevalier, the Duke's lover, becomes jealous and increasingly worried he has lost his lover.

Conflict External threats are also present, with Holland erupts by 1672, the so-called Franco-Dutch War. This war allowed the Prince William of Orange, William III, to arise becoming more powerful in Holland and claim undisputed power of the Dutch. However, this war proved to be difficult, despite threatening Louis triumphing eventually in 1678, as numerous battles proved to be costly in material, men, and finances in particular. William III proved to be a cunning enemy and this was heavily portrayed in the series in manipulating XIV's hold on power within Holland and using the natural features and canals and dykes to make the terrain difficult to fight in.

===Historical Background===The second series begins at around 1671, a few years after Season 1 ended. By this point, the Dauphin (the eldest son and heir of Louis XIV: ) has been recovered and the plot against him by Protestants and the Dutch has been thwarted. This season shows kidnapping was creativity, which likely never occurred in Louis having more difficulties sleeping' reign. In part, he seems haunted by his image and whether or not he would make a good king and leave a lasting legacy. His affair with Madame de Montespan causes problems for himThere was continued unrest, particularly at courthowever, with stemming from earlier revolts against the queenKing and French nobility in general, and during the churchso-called Fronde rebellion that occurred during Louis' childhood. The church was known This led to courtiers to spy and sometimes attempt to have rebuked Madame de Montespanthwart Louis' ambitions, including through poisonings. Many of the poisonings were also done between nobles, by refusing as they attempted to give her communionattain power or kill rival nobles, and trying to get such as the killing of one of Louis ' ministers (the Affair of the Poisons). This event largely took places after Season 2 but seems to end make it as part of the affairseason. However<ref> For more background information on this period of Louis' reign, see: Sonnino, this never ultimately succeededP. He even eventually legitimises his children with his lover, a move that caused a lot (1988) <i>Louis XIV and the origins of anger the Dutch War.</i> Cambridge studies in the churchearly modern history. Louis still shows himself being a strong character when it counts and making decisive decisionsCambridge [England] ; New York, despite his worries and deep stressCambridge University Press.</ref>

Prince Several main characters are killed in the second season, including Claudine (the doctor) and the chief gardener at Versailles. Meanwhile, Louis and his brother (Philippe: While I, Duke of Orléans) continue their feuding, where finally the Duke returns to court under the princes' homosexuality is well known fact, other aspects wishes of his personality were more fictionalbrother. For instanceIn fact, it a key event is not clear that the king and Prince Philippe ever marriage of the Duke, after his wife (who was purported to be Louis' lover), had any open feuds died, allegedly from poisoning in Season 1. The new marriage, with Princess Palatine, seems to start at a difficult level for the extent they were depicted. Prince two, given Philippe was known to have great skill 's homosexuality complicating the relationship, but soon it evolves into a friendship with the Duke sometimes performing his duties in the battlefieldmarital bed despite his sexual preferences. In fact, which is discussed this causes tensions in season 2the episodes, as the Chevalier, the Duke's lover, where it was found surprising that becomes jealous and increasingly worried he has lost his lover.<ref>For more on the king did not send him to fight new marriage of Philipe and the Dutch political reasoning behind this, see: Barker, N.N. (even by William III1998)<i>Brother to the Sun King--Philippe, Duke of Orléans.</i> Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press. </ref>

Madame de Montespan: Her character was developed perhaps more than any other character Conflict with Holland erupts by 1672, the so-called Franco-Dutch War. This war allowed the Prince of Orange, William III, to arise and claim undisputed power of the Dutch. However, this war proved to be difficult, despite Louis triumphing eventually in season 21678, as she now fights numerous battles proved to be costly in material, men, and tries finances in particular. William III proved to maintain her be a cunning enemy and this was heavily portrayed in the series in manipulating power position as within Holland and using the chief mistress natural features and canals and dykes to make the king. Her hold on power is displayed, where terrain difficult to fight in as Louis' ministers begin attempted to question if she is having too much influence advance his interests in Holland.<ref>For more on the king and affecting his decision making war with the Dutch, see: Collins, J.B. (2009) <i>The state in political areasearly modern France. Her willingness </i> New approaches to use whatever means needed to hold onto her power have some accuracyEuropean history ; 42. 2nd ed. Cambridge, UK ; New York, as there is evidence she used her wit and charm to attain relatively high power for a period and was willing to poison her rivalsCambridge University Press. </ref>

Princess Palatine: She is A greater focus in Season 2 was on Madame de Montespan, who was Louis' lover despite being married. During this time, her influence on the king increased and there was much greater animosity between the main new characterqueen and Madame de Montespan. She is shown as a naive princess when she arrives in courtIn fact, dressed inappropriately historically we know Madame de Montespan had several children with Louis and sometimes made fun in the episodes one ofthese pregnancies was shown. HoweverThis caused much angst, it is clear she learns by the queen and finds the church, as Madame de Montespan continued to have a way high profile position within the court despite her evident pregnancy. While the queen turned to adjust the church to condemn her role as , Madame de Montespan turned to a fortune teller to help her navigate the politics of Versailles and keep the wife king's interest in her and thus maintain her power. The long-running Affairs of Phillipe despite knowing the Poisons also implicated her, as she will never find deep did attempt to poison potential love with himrivals that the king took interest in. In effectThis jealousy was a key focus in the episodes, she makes even though Madame de Montespan often tried to avoid her direct fingerprint on plots within the most out of a difficultcourt, political situation she was forced intobut we see potential new women in court closely watched by Madame de Montespan. There is some truth to this<ref>For more on Madame de Montespan, see: Petitfils, as Princess Palatine J.C. (2009). <i>Madame de Montespan and Phillipe were reported to be relatively happy together despite the apparent sexual incompatibilitiesLouis XIV</i>.Literary Licensing, LLC</ref>

Marie===Characters and Accuracy===[[File:Louis-Thérèse: Her character becomes xiv-lebrunl.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Louis XIV]]Versailles Season 2 takes far more religious, at least outwardlyliberty with historical accuracy relative to Season 1. In fact, some events begin to combine different periods in season 2Louis' reign. Generally, although this is suggested to bethe conflict with the Dutch, in partAffairs of the Poisons, as a way to go against her rivalcommon court feuds, including between Madame de Montespan. There is likely truth to thisand the queen, did occur, as but the queen details were often likely had relatively little different. Many characters are shown as jealous and power as Louis favored his mistresshungry, which is generally true from what we know. HoweverVarious characters, including Fabien Marchel, in realitywho is the chief investigator and private enforcer, are fictional.<ref>For more on events around the court of Louis did continue to perform his royal duties XIV, including conspiracies and slept with Marieevents, see: <i>Funck-Thérèse to produce legitimate heirsBrentano,Frantz and Maidment, George. She is depicted as a person trying to remove (2010)<i> Princes and Poisoners, Studies of the general debauchery found at VersaillesCourt of Louis XIV. </i> Nabu Press.</ref>

==Levels Louis XIV: This season shows Louis having more difficulties sleeping. In part, he seems haunted by his image and whether or not he would make a good king and leave a lasting legacy. His affair with Madame de Montespan causes problems for him, particularly at court, with the queen, and the church. The church was known to have rebuked Madame de Montespan, by refusing to give her communion, and trying to get Louis to end the affair. However, this never ultimately succeeded. He even eventually legitimizes his children with his lover, a move that caused a lot of Accuracy==anger in the church. Louis still shows himself being a strong character when it counts and making decisive decisions, despite his worries and deep stress.<ref>For more on Louis' reign from the 1670s to 1680s, see: Young, W.A. (2004)<i> International politics and warfare in the age of Louis XIV and Peter the Great: a guide to the historical literature.</i> New York N.Y., i Universe.</ref>

Prince Philippe: While the princes' homosexuality is a well known fact, other aspects of his personality were more fictional. For instance, it is not clear that the king and Prince Philippe ever had any open feuds to the extent they were depicted. Prince Philippe was known to have great skill in the battlefield, which is discussed in Season 2, where it was found surprising that the king did not send him to fight the Dutch rather than lead the battle(even by William III). Historically, Phillipe did often lead in many of the major conflicts France was involved in. <ref>For more, see Barker, 2008</ref>[[File:Beaubrun_workshop_-_Françoise_de_Rochechouart,_later_Madame_de_Montespan,_octogonal_portrait_(1).jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Madame de Montespan]]Madame de Montespan: Her character was developed perhaps more than any other character in Season 2, as she now fights and tries to maintain her power position as the chief mistress to the king. Her hold on power is displayed, where Louis' ministers begin to question if she is having too much influence on the king and affecting his decision making in political areas. Her willingness to use whatever means needed to hold onto her power have some accuracy, as there is evidence she used her wit and charm to attain relatively high power for a period and was willing to poison her rivals.<ref>See Petitfils, 2009</ref> Princess Palatine: She is the one major character who is new in this season. She is shown as a naive princess when she arrives in court, dressed inappropriately and sometimes made fun of. However, it is clear she learns and finds a way to adjust to her role as the wife of Phillipe despite knowing she will never find deep love with him. In effect, she makes the most out of a difficult, political situation she was forced into. There is some truth to this, as Princess Palatine and Phillipe were reported to be relatively happy together despite the apparent sexual incompatibilities. They managed to have several children, who went on to be the chief Catholic line of European kings and queens in the decades and centuries after them. Many letters left behind by the princess have allowed scholars to more effectively understand her life and legacy.<ref>For more on Princess Palatine's role in court and her relationship with Philippe, see: Orléans, C.-E. & Kroll, M. (1998) <i>Letters from Liselotte: Elisabeth-Charlotte, Princess Palatine and Duchess of Orléans, ‘Madame’ 1652-1722.</i> London, Allison & Busby.</ref> Marie-Thérèse: Her character becomes more religious, at least outwardly, in Season 2, although this is suggested to be, in part, as a way to go against her rival, Madame de Montespan. There is likely truth to this, as the queen likely had relatively little power as Louis favored his mistress. However, in reality, Louis did continue to perform his royal duties and slept with Marie-Thérèse to produce legitimate heirs. His many mistresses indicates that neither she, nor Madame de Montespan for that matter, were effective in fully controlling Louis. She is depicted as a person trying to remove the general debauchery found at Versailles.<ref>For more on Marie-Thérèse and her conflicts in court, see: Fraser, A. (2007)<i> Love and Louis XIV: the women in the life of the Sun King.</i> London, Phoenix.</ref> ===Summary===In the 1670s and 1680s, Louis XIV increased his influence not only in France but across Europe as well, as his reputation as the strong ruler of France began to be evident in the battlefield at through his grip on power. <i>Versailles</i> is more about the tensions that this caused, whether in Louis' court, or abroad, as rivals such as William III tried to thwart his plans in becoming the master of Europe. Season 2 takes more liberties with events, embellishing characters' personalities and not always following the timeline of when key events occurred. For instance, the Affairs of the Poisons was slightly later than many of the poisonings depicted, while characters being killed off, such as Louis' chief doctor, likely never happened. Nevertheless, some of the key personalities, their ambitions, desires, and weaknesses do reflect what happened. Influential characters historically, such as Louis and Philippe, have their key personalities that influenced their decisions shown in the episodes, but conflicts between the brothers and other disputes took likely liberty from historical accuracy.  <div class="portal" style="width:85%;">==Related DailyHistory.org Articles==*[[British Criminal and Legal History Top Ten Booklist]]*[[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in World War Two?]]*[[Was Elizabeth I Justified in having her Cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland Executed?]]*[[How does The Magna Carta influence the Modern Perceptions of Civil Rights?]]*[[Privateering during the War of 1812: Interview with Faye M. Kert]]*[[Did the Congress of Berlin create a more unstable Europe?]]</div>{{Mediawiki:French History}}===References===<references/> {{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:French History]] [[Category:Historically Accurate]] [[Category:Enlightenment History]]