The Exchange of Princesses by Chantal Thomas translated by John Cullen
from the amazon listing
Philippe d’Orléans, the regent of France, has a gangrenous heart-the result of a life of debauchery, alcohol, power, and flattery. One morning in 1721, he decides to marry eleven-year-old Louis XV to the daughter of Philippe V of Spain, who is only four. Orléans hopes this will tie his kingdom to Spain. But were Louis to die without begetting an heir-the likeliness of which is greatly increased by having a child bride-Orléans himself would finally be king. Orléans tosses his own daughter into the bargain, the twelve-year-old Mlle de Montpensier, who will marry the Prince of Asturias, the heir to the Spanish throne.
The Spanish court enthusiastically agrees and arrangements are made. The two nations trade their princesses in a grand ceremony in 1722, making bonds that should end the historical conflict. Nothing turns out as expected.
a historical fiction telling of true events it was a vaguely interesting subject, but i didn't like the....deviations into what the dolls were thinking. i guess because it was originally written in french, that it went of into flights of fancy (i guess that's the right term)
Philippe d’Orléans, the regent of France, has a gangrenous heart-the result of a life of debauchery, alcohol, power, and flattery. One morning in 1721, he decides to marry eleven-year-old Louis XV to the daughter of Philippe V of Spain, who is only four. Orléans hopes this will tie his kingdom to Spain. But were Louis to die without begetting an heir-the likeliness of which is greatly increased by having a child bride-Orléans himself would finally be king. Orléans tosses his own daughter into the bargain, the twelve-year-old Mlle de Montpensier, who will marry the Prince of Asturias, the heir to the Spanish throne.
The Spanish court enthusiastically agrees and arrangements are made. The two nations trade their princesses in a grand ceremony in 1722, making bonds that should end the historical conflict. Nothing turns out as expected.
a historical fiction telling of true events it was a vaguely interesting subject, but i didn't like the....deviations into what the dolls were thinking. i guess because it was originally written in french, that it went of into flights of fancy (i guess that's the right term)