Chronologie de la vie de Louis XIV, February 1663
1 February, Monsieur de Montespan has sought the King’s permission to marry Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente. A contract has already been set up and his Majesty granted his permission, yet the royal family will not sign the documents, Montespan’s uncle being a prominent Jansenist. The Ballet des Arts is once again performed tonight.
2 February, Sainte Rencontre, accompanied by the Chevaliers de l’Orde, their Majesties and Monsieur attend the procession at the Louvre, then mass in the chapel. In the afternoon, his Majesty attends the sermon of the Bishop de Dax and evensong, after which his Majesty receives the Duc de Créquy.
3 February, their Majesties go with company to Versailles for a promenade. His Majesty will invite his guests to behold the new apartments in the evening and enjoy supper with them.
4 February, their Majesties go to the Oratoire for their devotions. Monsieur hosts a splendid ball, which his Majesty opens with Madame.
5 February, their Majesties go again to the Oratoire. Tonight, the Ballet des Arts will be performed again. There is plenty of talk about the upcoming marriage of the Marquis de Montespan and Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente. Him being a notorious gambler, her a witty beauty with not much means, who will forfeit her position as fille d’honneur to Madame once married.
6 February, their Majesties visit the Oratoire again for the sermon of Abbé Favre. Monsieur invites tonight to another splendid ball. Louis-Henri de Pardaillan de Gondrin, Marquis de Montespan, has today wed Françoise de Rochechouart de Mortemart, daughter of the Marquis de Mortemart.
11 February, their Majesties attend the sermon of the Bishop de Dax in the afternoon at the chapel of the Louvre.
12 February, his Majesty receives Ghiron Francesco Villa, ambassador of Savoy, after which he receives the Comte de Sanazar, envoy of the Duc de Mantoue, before the latter departs from Paris.
15 February, his Majesty receives the Cardinal d’Este.
16 February, their Majesties and company travel to Versailles to enjoy a promenade.
19 February, their Majesties receive Monsieur de Leyra, envoy of her Majesty’s father the King of Spain, who has come to bring his Most Catholic Majesty’s condolences on the demise of the Princesse Anne-Élisabeth.
20 February, the King grants an audience to Monsieur Alvise Grimani, ambassador of Venise.
21 February, his Majesty travels to Versailles in company of Monsieur, Madame, Monsieur le Duc d’Enghien, Monsieur le Duc de Beaufort, and many ladies of the court.
22 February, the Ballet des Arts is performed once more in presence of Cardinal d’Este.
23 February, his Majesty grants an audience to Père Jérôme Ari, the Général de l’Ordre des Carmes. In the afternoon, his Majesty accompanies her Majesty to the chapel of the Louvre, where they attend the sermon of the Bishop de Dax.
24 February, Monsieur de Cosnac has visited Monsieur Le Tellier over a dispute with Monsieur Saint-Ferréol, gouverneur de Die. His Majesty will decide in the matter.
25 February, their Majesties, in company of Monsieur, visit the Oratoire du Louvre for mass. In the evening, their Majesties and the royal family are present for the engagement ceremony, celebrated by Cardinal Barberini, of Mademoiselle de Valois and the Duc de Savoie, after which his Majesty signs the contract of marriage.
26 February, his Majesty travels to Versailles for a promenade in the gardens.
28 February, his Majesty rides to Saint-Germain to meet with the Prince de Danemark and enjoy the hunt.
