Dangeau’s Diary, February 1689
3d. — Yesterday evening at the coucher, the King granted Monsieur de Lauzun the privilege of the grandes entrées, which he had previous to his imprisonment.
5th. — The King dined at an early hour and, upon rising from table, went to Saint-Cyr, about three o’clock. The King and Queen of England arrived there. The King received them in the chapter-house and then conducted them to witness the representation of the tragedy of Esther. There were three arm-chairs: the Queen of England was seated in the middle, the King of England on the right and the King on the left. Madame de Quélus performed the part of Esther, and never was any piece so successful.
9th. — The Prince of Orange has sent the King of England his coaches, horses, hunting equipage and plate.
12th. — This morning Monsieur de Maurevel, being at his town residence in Paris, was awakened by a great noise, which he heard in his court-yard and in the street. It was occasioned by bailiffs, who had come to seize his horses, for a pretended debt of his tailor. He got up in his robe de chambre and not being able to make this canaille, one of whom, seeing him at the window, fired at him, listen to reason, he took his pistols and killed two of them. The rest made a precipitate retreat. Monsieur de Maurevel came here to give the King an account of the affair and to ask justice and pardon from him, offering at the same time to go to prison. The King received him graciously and told him to remain at Versailles, till it was ascertained if the affair had happened as he related it. It is supposed that it will not be attended with serious consequences to him.
13th. — Monsieur de Maurevel received the King’s pardon and the necessary protections for himself and his people. He could not have been better treated.
20th. — The King left the council chambre about eleven o’clock, when he was informed that Monsieur was awake and went to him with the melancholy intelligence of the death of the Queen of Spain, who was only ill two days. She died the 12th of this month. The courier arrived yesterday at midnight, after the coucher. Before her death, she wished twice to see Monsieur de Rebenac and told him she felt she was going to die. She has made her will and died with great courage and piety. After dinner, the King returned to Monsieur, who found himself much indisposed. The King of England came to visit him about four o’clock and saw no one but him.The ballet for tomorrow has been countermanded, and there will be no more balls or masquerades this winter. It will be even some time before there is a play or a salon.
21st. — Monsieur, who is in the deepest affliction, has passed the whole day at Saint-Cloud, that he might be private, and only returned very late this evening.
24th. — Mailli will accompany the King of England as far as Brest. The King’s expedition to Ireland is no longer a secret. He will set off on Sunday or Monday. The King gives him twenty captains, twenty lieutenants and twenty cadets to serve in his troops. He has also given saddles, harness, pistols and all kinds of arms. In short, he has forgotten nothing that could be of service to him. Thirteen large vessels, six frigates and three sloops are waiting for him at Brest. The vessel in which he embarks, will hoist his standard. He desired it and the King acquiesced. Monsieur de Lauzun had been named to accompany him to Ireland, where he was to receive the appointment of captain-general, but before his departure, he made some proposals which have been rejected and he will not go.
25th. — This morning, at Saint Germain, the King of England made Monsieur de Lauzun a Knight of the Garter in the room of the Duke of Albemarle, who died a short time since. His Britannic Majesty then proceeded to Paris, alighted at Notre-Dame, where he performed his devotions, dined with Monsieur de Lauzun, then visited the English nuns and went to the Luxembourg to pay his respects to the Grande Mademoiselle, passed through Chaillot, where the heart of the Queen, his mother is, proceeded to Saint-Cloud, to see Monsieur and Madame, who had come there this morning for an airing, and arrived here about seven o’clock, where the King had been expecting him earlier. The two Kings were closetted a long time and then repaired to the Dauphine’s , where the King of England took leave of her. The King said to him “I wish, Sir, I may never see you again. Should fortune, however, decree otherwise, you will again find me, such as you have done.” The King will again take leave of him before his final departure. The court has gone into mourning for the death of the Queen of Spain. All the ladies have visited the Dauphine, Monsieur, Madame and Mademoiselle in deep mourning veils. They will also go in them to Saint-Germain. The two Kings were to day in violet coloured suits, the Kings of England wear violet, as Kings of France, which title they always assume.
26th. — Monsieur and Madame have been to Saint-Germain, to take their leave of the King of England. Madame and all the ladies wore mourning veils. The King of England received them in the apartments of the Queen, his consort, who, after standing some time, sat down, saying, she found herself rather indisposed. The King of England saluted Madame and all the Princes of the Blood.
27th. — The King and Monseigneur have gone to bid adieu to the King of England, who sets off tomorrow, without fail. They went after hearing the sermon of father La Rue. The King of England had requested the King to permit Saint Vians to accompany him to Ireland, but his Majesty would not consent, because the severe wounds which Saint Vians has received, would have made the fatigue too great for him.
28th. — The King of England set off this morning from Saint- Germain in his carriage, accompanied by Monsieur de Lauzun, Mailli, Lords Powis, Dumbarton, Milford and Thomas Stuart. He went through the Faubourgs of Paris, and at the Bourg de la Reine entered his travelling carriage. He will sleep tonight at Orleans, tomorrow at Tours, and will arrive at Brest on Saturday. Monsieur de Lauzun has returned, after conducting him as far as Bourg de la Reinc. Lady Milford follows her husband with four post chaises, which she has bought, for the conveyance of her waiting women.
