Research Catalog

The exchange of princesses / Chantal Thomas ; translated from the French by John Cullen ; foreword by Martha Saxton.

Title
The exchange of princesses / Chantal Thomas ; translated from the French by John Cullen ; foreword by Martha Saxton.
Author
Thomas, Chantal, 1945-
Publication
New York, NY : Other Press, [2015]

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextRequest in advance PQ2680.H493 E2413 2015Off-site

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Details

Additional Authors
Cullen, John, 1942-
Description
xii, 332 pages; 22 cm
Summary
"Set in the French and Spanish courts of the eighteenth century, this novel is based on a true story about the fate of two young princesses caught in the intrigues and secrets of the moment Philippe d'Orleans, 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. Orleans 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--Orleans himself would finally be king. Orleans 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. "--
Uniform Title
Échange des princesses. English
Alternative Title
Échange des princesses.
Subject
  • Orléans, Philippe, duc d', 1674-1723 > Fiction
  • Orléans, Philippe, duc d', 1674-1723
  • Regency (France : 1715-1723)
  • 1715-1723
  • Arranged marriage > Fiction
  • FICTION / Historical
  • FICTION / Literary
  • Arranged marriage
  • France > History > Regency, 1715-1723 > Fiction
  • France
Genre/Form
  • Historical fiction.
  • Regency fiction
  • Fiction
  • History
  • Fiction.
  • History.
  • Historical fiction
Note
  • Translated from the French.
Processing Action (note)
  • committed to retain
Contents
"Set in the French and Spanish courts of the eighteenth century, this novel is based on a true story about the fate of two young princesses caught in the intrigues and secrets of the moment Philippe d'Orleans, 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. Orleans 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 -- Orleans himself would finally be king. Orleans 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. "
ISBN
  • 9781590517024
  • 1590517024
  • 9781590517031 (canceled/invalid)
LCCN
^^2014043505
OCLC
  • 893016783
  • SCSB-12654267
Owning Institutions
Harvard Library