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==Characters and Accuracy==Versailles season 2 takes far more liberty with historical accuracy relative to season 1. In fact, some events begin to combine different periods in Louis' reign. Generally, the conflict with the Dutch, Affairs of the Poisons, common court feuds, including between Madame de Montespan and the queen, did occur, but the details were often likely different. Many characters are shown as jealous and power hungry, which is generally true from what we know. Various characters, including Fabien Marchel, are fictional.<ref>For more on events around the court of Louis XIV, including conspiracies and events, see: <i>Funckdh-Brentano,Frantz and Maidment, George. (2010)<i> Princes and Poisoners, Studies of the Court of Louis XIV. </i> Nabu Press.<ad/ref>
Louis XIVPrince Philippe: This season shows Louis having While the princes' homosexuality is a well known fact, other aspects of his personality were more difficulties sleepingfictional. In partFor instance, he seems haunted by his image and whether or it is not he would make a good clear that the king and leave a lasting legacy. His affair with Madame de Montespan causes problems for him, particularly at court, with Prince Philippe ever had any open feuds to the queen, and the churchextent they were depicted. The church Prince Philippe was known to have rebuked Madame de Montespangreat skill in the battlefield, by refusing to give her communionwhich is discussed in Season 2, and trying where it was found surprising that the king did not send him to get Louis to end fight the Dutch rather than lead the affairbattle(even by William III). HoweverHistorically, this never ultimately succeeded. He even eventually legitimizes his children with his lover, a move that caused a lot Phillipe did often lead in many of anger the major conflicts France was involved 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, seeBarker, 2008</ref>[[File: YoungBeaubrun_workshop_-_Françoise_de_Rochechouart, W.A. _later_Madame_de_Montespan,_octogonal_portrait_(20041)<i> International politics .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 warfare in tries to maintain her power position as the chief mistress to the age of king. Her hold on power is displayed, where Louis XIV ' 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 Peter the Great: charm to attain relatively high power for a guide period and was willing to the historical literaturepoison her rivals.</iref> New York N.Y.See Petitfils, i Universe.2009</ref>
Prince PhilippePrincess Palatine: While She is the princes' homosexuality one major character who is new in this season. She is well known factshown as a naive princess when she arrives in court, other aspects dressed inappropriately and sometimes made fun of his personality were more fictional. For instanceHowever, it is not clear that the king she learns and Prince Philippe ever had any open feuds finds a way to adjust to her role as the extent they were depictedwife of Phillipe despite knowing she will never find deep love with him. Prince Philippe was known to have great skill in In effect, she makes the battlefieldmost out of a difficult, which political situation she was forced into. There is discussed in season 2some truth to this, where it was found surprising that as Princess Palatine and Phillipe were reported to be relatively happy together despite the king did not send him apparent sexual incompatibilities. They managed to have several children, who went on to fight be the chief Catholic line of European kings and queens in the Dutch (even decades and centuries after them. Many letters left behind by William III)the princess have allowed scholars to more effectively understand her life and legacy. <ref>For moreon Princess Palatine's role in court and her relationship with Philippe, see Barker: Orléans, 2008C.-E. & Kroll, M. (1998) <i>Letters from Liselotte: Elisabeth-Charlotte, Princess Palatine and Duchess of Orléans, ‘Madame’ 1652-1722.</i> London, Allison & Busby.</ref>
Madame de MontespanMarie-Thérèse: Her character was developed perhaps becomes more than any other character religious, at least outwardly, in season Season 2, although this is suggested to be, in part, as she now fights and tries a way to maintain go against her rival, Madame de Montespan. There is likely truth to this, as the queen likely had relatively little power position as the chief Louis favored his mistress to the king. Her hold on power is displayedHowever, in reality, where Louis' ministers begin did continue to perform his royal duties and slept with Marie-Thérèse to question if 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 having too much influence depicted as a person trying to remove the general debauchery found at Versailles.<ref>For more on the king Marie-Thérèse and affecting his decision making her conflicts in political areascourt, see: Fraser, A. Her willingness to use whatever means needed to hold onto her power have some accuracy, as there is evidence she used her wit (2007)<i> Love and charm to attain relatively high power for a period and was willing to poison her rivalsLouis XIV: the women in the life of the Sun King.<ref/i>See PetitfilsLondon, 2009Phoenix.</ref>
Princess Palatine: She is ===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 main new characterbattlefield at through his grip on power. She <i>Versailles</i> is shown as a naive princess when she arrives more about the tensions that this caused, whether in Louis' court, dressed inappropriately and sometimes made fun or abroad, as rivals such as William III tried to thwart his plans in becoming the master ofEurope. HoweverSeason 2 takes more liberties with events, it is clear she learns embellishing characters' personalities and finds a way to adjust to her role as not always following the wife timeline of Phillipe despite knowing she will never find deep love with himwhen key events occurred. In effectFor instance, she makes the most out Affairs of the Poisons was slightly later than many of a difficultthe poisonings depicted, political situation she was forced into. There is some truth to thiswhile characters being killed off, such as Princess Palatine and Phillipe were reported to be relatively happy together despite the apparent sexual incompatibilitiesLouis' chief doctor, likely never happened. Many letters left behind by Nevertheless, some of 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 Philippekey personalities, see: Orléanstheir ambitions, C.-E. & Krolldesires, Mand weaknesses do reflect what happened. (1998) <i>Letters from Liselotte: Elisabeth-CharlotteInfluential characters historically, Princess Palatine such as Louis and Duchess of OrléansPhilippe, ‘Madame’ 1652-1722.</i> Londonhave their key personalities that influenced their decisions shown in the episodes, Allison & Busbybut conflicts between the brothers and other disputes took likely liberty from historical accuracy.</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. 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>
==References=={{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:French History]] [[Category:Historically Accurate]] [[Category:Enlightenment History]]
Admin moved page How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Versailles? to How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Versailles
__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>
<i>Check out our article on the historical accuracy of the 1st season of [[How Historically Accurate is season 1 of Versailles?|Versailles]]</i>. Season 2 of 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. ===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 kidnapping was creativity, which likely never occurred in Louis' reign. There was continued unrest, however, 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 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 of the Poisons). This event largely took places after Season 2 but seems to make it as part of the season.<ref> For more background information on this period of Louis' reign, see: Sonnino, P. (1988) <i>Louis XIV and the origins of the Dutch War.</i> Cambridge studies in early modern history. Cambridge [England] ; New York, Cambridge University Press.</ref>
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 queen and Madame de Montespan. In fact, historically we know Madame de Montespan had several children with Louis and in the episodes one of these pregnancies was shown. This caused much angst, by the queen and the church, as Madame de Montespan continued to have a high profile position within the court despite her evident pregnancy. While the queen turned to the church to condemn her, Madame de Montespan turned to a fortune teller to help her navigate the politics of Versailles and keep the king's interest in her and thus maintain her power. The long-running Affairs of the Poisons also implicated her, as she did attempt to poison potential love rivals that the king took interest in. This jealousy was a key focus in the episodes, even though Madame de Montespan often tried to avoid her direct fingerprint on plots within the court, but we see potential new women in court closely watched by Madame de Montespan.<ref>For more on Madame de Montespan, see: Petitfils, J.C. (2009). <i>Madame de Montespan and Louis XIV</i>. Literary Licensing, LLC</ref>
===Characters and Accuracy===[[File:3031d50934e64c0853bdb85c6e90004fLouis-xiv-lebrunl.pngjpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Louis XIV]]Versailles Season 2 takes far more liberty with historical accuracy relative to Season 1. In fact, some events begin to combine different periods in Louis' reign. Generally, the conflict with the Dutch, Affairs of the Poisons, common court feuds, including between Madame de Montespan and the queen, did occur, but the details were often likely different. Many characters are shown as jealous and power hungry, which is generally true from what we know. Various characters, including Fabien Marchel, who is the chief investigator and private enforcer, are fictional.<ref>For more on events around the court of Louis XIV, including conspiracies and events, see: <i>Funck-Brentano,Frantz and Maidment, George. (2010)<i> Princes and Poisoners, Studies of the Court of Louis XIV. </i> Nabu Press.</ref> 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 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>VersaillesInternational 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>
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