Dangeau’s Diary, December 1689

3rd. — It is the King’s pleasure, that throughout his Kingdom, all silver articles used for ornament or use, such as looking-glasses, girandoles, vases, etc. should be melted down and brought to the mint. And, to set the example, he has caused all his beautiful plate to be melted down, notwithstanding the beauty of the workmanship. Even his exquisite fillagree-worked plate has gone to the crucible. The toilettes of all the maids of honour have been melted down likewise, the Dauphine’s even not excepted.

14th. — The King has altered all the coin of the Kingdom. His effigy is still on one side and on the reverse of the louis d’or, he has had the mark affixed which was on the silver louis and the silver louis he has marked with the stamp of the louis d’or. When this new coin is made, the crown will be worth three livres, six shillings and the louis d’or twelve livres, ten shillings and as now the louis d’or is only worth eleven livres, twelve shillings, the King will gain eighteen shillings upon each pistole and four shillings upon each crown.

15th. — Mademoiselle Moreau, daughter of Monseigneur’s nurse, quitted Versailles without saying a word to any one, hired a calash, and went to Saint-Germain, to the convent of the Urselines, saying she was determined to take the veil.

16th. — The Dauphine has sent for little Moreau, knowing that it was a pique, not a call, that had determined her to this step. The Dauphine has promised to pardon her. Little Moreau waited upon her this evening, as usual.

31st. — After dinner, the King rode out in the new-fashioned sledges, which have not answered, the ice had become much thinner and many accidents happened. Monsieur le Prince fell into the water up to his neck and the Princesses fell upon their backs. There were many cries of terror, but no bones broken.