3,257
edits
Changes
→Historical Background
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 I, Duke of Orléans) continue their feuding, where finally the Duke returns to court under the wishes of his brother. In fact, a key event is the marriage of the Duke, after his wife (who was purported to be Louis' lover), 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 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 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 power within Holland and using the natural features and canals and dykes to make the terrain difficult to fight in.
==Characters and Accuracy==
