Chronologie de la vie de Louis XIV, January 1665

1 January, his Majesty, wearing the collier de l’Ordre, travels to the Feuillants for grand mass, in company of many Chevaliers de l’Ordre, Monsieur, the Prince de Condé, the Duc d’Enghien and Cardinal Barberini. In the afternoon, his Majesty and her Majesty, la Reine-Mère, as well as Monsieur and Madame, travel to the Jesuites of the rue Saint-Antoine for mass and evensong.

3 January, on the occasion of the feast day of the patron saintess of Paris, Sainte-Geneviève, his Majesty, in company of Monsieur, Mademoiselle, and the Duc d’Enghien, travels to her church to attend mass.

5 January, a academic journal by Monsieur de Sallo, a writer and lawyer, is being published under the name Journal des sçavans.

6 January, Epiphanie, his Majesty and the court attend a performance of Astrate, Roi de Tyr, written by Monsieur Quinault and performed by the Troupe Royale in the salon of her Majesty. After which his Majesty invites her Majesty, la Reine-Mére, Monsieur and Madame to a splendid supper in his salon. Also present are Mademoiselle, Mademoiselle d’Alencon, the Princesse de Bade, the Comtesse d’Armagnac, Mademoiselle d’Elbeuf, and the Duchesse de Créquy.

7 January, Mademoiselle de La Vallière gave birth to a boy today. It was a difficult birth and the Mademoiselle, it is said, will need some time to recover.

12 January, His Majesty decrees new regulations for the Ordre de Saint-Michel, which, among other things, limit the number of Chevaliers to one hundred.

15 January, his Majesty receives the nuncio, Monsieur Roberti, for his audience of leave. After which his Majesty receives the ambassadors of Spain, Venice and Savoy, who all come to give their condolences upon the demise of the Princesse Marie-Anne.

16 January, his Majesty receives the ambassador of Mantua, as well as envoys of Denmark and the Palatine, who wish to state their condolences upon the death of the Princesse Marie-Anne.

18 January, his Majesty receives thirty Chevaliers de l’ordre de Saint-Michel, presented to him by the Marquis de Sourdis, who come to thank his Majesty for the recent reforms regarding their status.

22 January, his Majesty receives Monsieur le Comte de Coligny, who has just returned from Hungary, where he commanded 6000 men to aid his Imperial Majesty against the Turks and had a crucial role in the victory of the Battle of Saint Gotthard. In the evening, Monsieur invites to a splendid ball, featuring “snacks worthy of his courteousness and his magnificence“, at the Palais-Royal. His Majesty is in attendance.

26 January, his Majesty plays the role of Alexandre in the Ballet Royal de la Naissance de Vénus, featuring twelve entrées, written by Monsieur Benserade and with music by Monsieur Lully.

28 January, his Majesty reviews two companies of his mounted mousquetaires, after which he entrusts the command of the second company to Monsieur Colbert (Édouard-François Colbert) and the sub-lieutenancy to Monsieur de Montborn. The Cornette is entrusted to the Comte de Marsan.

29 January, the Ballet Royal de la Naissance de Vénus is performed again in presence of the court.

31 January, his Majesty visits Madame, who feels indisposed, at the Palais-Royal. It is whispered among Madame’s ladies that Madame shows early signs of being with child.