#Madame de Clermont

[margothecreator]

Versailles [S1:E8]

[ravravix]

✨Beatrice de Clemont & Chevalier de Lorraine✨

✨Chevalier de Lorraine✨

[sgiandubh]

Dear 'Hi, darling' Anon

You are so polite and I am so sorry. But I am not going to publish your ask here. The question has been asked before, in many different ways, which tells me a lot about this fandom's - maybe understandable - impatience. The reason I will not answer it in here is simple: as tempted as I might be, I will not write the damn script.

I am an optimist and I believe these two are good people. It is as simple as that.

However, what I can and will do for you, is to tell you a real French story I will try to sum up as best as possible. You take out of it whatever you want. I am just the narrator, here.

I suppose you are not very familiar with this guy, are you?

His name was François Mitterrand, and from 1981 to 1995 he was the President of the French Republic. A cunning, even ruthless politician, he managed the feat of uniting a French Left in shambles and leading it back to power after more than twenty years on the opposition benches. He truly was the master of all combinations, with an almost diabolic sense of human nature and a cult for secrecy and privacy. So much so, that even in a country like France (where people are rather fond of gossip and backstage gaming, provided all of this is masterfully executed) he was nicknamed both 'The Florentine', in an expected parallel to Machiavelli, by politicos & pundits, and 'Tonton' (Uncle), by all the rest of the nation.

His only weakness was to have led a double life for 30 years.

A scion of a deeply Catholic bourgeois family of vinegar distillers from Jarnac, Mitterrand married the atheist and radical Danielle Gouze in 1944. They met in harsh times, while he was one of the chiefs of the French Résistance, after being an underling of Marshal Pétain's Nazi collaborating puppet regime, based in Vichy. They never divorced, even if the couple became increasingly estranged after the birth of three sons, in rapid succession. She found solace in the arms of a Corsican sports instructor and he, by now a rising star of French politics, went his merry way with probably hundreds of affairs. I bet you couldn't tell, by simply looking at his official portrait, but hey - never judge a book by its cover.

By the autumn of 1965, Mitterrand started his lifelong affair with Anne Pingeot, an Art History student at the fabulous Ecole du Louvre, hailing from a well-heeled family in Clermont-Ferrand. She met him in 1957, while vacationing with her parents in Hossegor, a posh summer resort on the Atlantic coast. Both families stroke up a polite holiday friendship, so when Anne went to study in Paris, Madame Pingeot naturally asked 'François' to keep an eye on her daughter. It took him two years to seduce her, with flowers, daily letters, books, midnight walks, art exhibitions, concerts, lies, stories, restaurants and drama - Frenchmen really, really are unparalleled at this cat and mouse game. They never broke up and if Mitterrand never was exclusively attached to her, she remained the love of his life until his very last day on Earth.

The only real crisis moment in this stars aligned story came in 1973, when Anne really wanted out of the whole charade. She wanted a younger partner, an easier plot and (of course) a child. He relented. Mazarine was born in December 1974, in the deepest possible secrecy, somewhere in Southern France (this is a well-known plot device in any good French Nineteenth century novel, by the way). Her father legally recognized her only in 1984, via a simple notary statement. From 1981 to 1995, the second family shared an apartment in a building reserved for the Elysée Palace top level public servants, on Quai Branly, in Paris. At the same time, Mitterrand kept his usual home on rue de Bièvre, steps away from Notre Dame cathedral, on the Left Bank and made sure he was regularly seen there by the press, the paparazzi and the odd passerby. Anne and Mazarine were always monitored by the President's security detail, of course.

Did people know? Many did and at least as many didn't have a clue. Mitterrand was a master at separating his social life into concentric zones, but even as such, lots of people in his intimate circle had no idea he was a new father to that little girl whose toys they sometimes saw in the trunk of his official car, or who happened to be around at political gatherings. They simply assumed the toys belonged to his grand-daughters, the fugitive appearance was a relative and in general, they knew better than asking questions. Sometimes, he joked in interviews, as in 1986, when he told, on a very relaxed tone, to French TV star journalist Yves Mourousi "a certain little miss of my acquaintance told me I have to be more chébran (slang for also slang branché - trendy) and as you see, I am doing my best". Nobody batted an eyelid. When Mazarine dutifully wrote on her first day at school, sometime around 1983, "President of the French Republic" under the Father's job entry on the yearly data sheet every pupil must fill in, the headmistress thought she was joking and never brought it up again. Some of her school friends were even invited for pajama parties at Souzy-la-Briche, at the time the week-end residence of the French President, and even met Mitterrand. Nobody ever spoke.

But some people did know and could not exactly remain silent. When Françoise Giroud, a legend of French journalism, published, in 1983, at the Mazarine publishing house (!), her roman à clef (novel with a key), Le bon plaisir (As He Saw Fit), heavily alluding to the Mitterrand situation, she was forced by her editor to write a very clear frontpage disclaimer. She also had to tinker a bit with details: it was a boy, not a girl, etc. But when venomous polemist Jean-Edern Hallier, disgruntled that his support efforts were left unrewarded, wrote a tell-all pamphlet  L'Honneur perdu de François Mitterrand (François Mitterrand's Lost Honor), in 1984, the manuscript mysteriously vanished without a trace (the book appeared, however, after Mitterand's death, in 1996).

All was revealed in 1995, by a paparazzi photograph being published by the reliable people's magazine Paris Match, with no intervention of the French Presidency administration to stop it. On its cover, a by now terminally ill with cancer Mitterrand was seen standing with Mazarine in front of the (wonderful) fish restaurant Le Divellec, in Paris, under the caption (I will never forget it): La fille cachée du Président (The President's Hidden Daughter). Body language was very clear (another caption: The tender gesture of a father):

And the good people of France could finally see Anne and Mazarine mourning him, on January 11, 1996, after he let himself die upon finding out that the disease attacked his brain:

First row, near the official family.

As I said, draw your own conclusions, Anon. I am not implying anything and I do not think, by any means, this is a copycat scenario. Two fifi la plume (= scoundrel, but also naïve) B-listers are not a powerful French politician, with a decisive influence on the country's society, media and secret services. The UK or the US are not France, never will be. The Eighties had no Facebook, no Twitter, no Internet and no cell phones, able and willing to turn just about anybody into a paparazzo. Mitterrand's fandom, if you want, was the Socialist Party and its army of ambitious technocrats, not the considerable mess that is the OL circus.

What I am implying, is that no secret, no matter how deeply buried, stays forever in the shadows. Have a little more patience and, damn it, faith.

I rest my case.

PS: Anne Pingeot is a Taurus. Don't mind me. I am just babbling, as usually. ;)

[baldwin-montclair]

Baldwin’s Nightingale (Part 20)

Characters: Baldwin Montclair/OC

Timeframe: Can safely say AU at this point, after Matthew and Diana go back in time and before they return

Summary: After escaping Benjamin (and Gerbert) with help of Rebecca’s magic, the trio arrive in Sept Tours. Questions demand answers, secrets are revealed and the newlyweds encounter a serious challenge to their marriage.

Spoiler Warning: TV Show canon S1-S2, goes AU after that, some Book of Life

Tag requests: @christi14 @poemfreak306 @pookie-cleary @hofficoffi @stormyheart326 @wonderlander594 @madamquacklemore @thereadersmuse @kynthiamoon @ordinarymom1 @fuzzyflowervoid @maybelightning @lady-lazarus-declermont @whoa-studymuch @shugensha

The Story So Far

Alisha swallowed hard as nobody moved for several seconds. Baldwin and Marcus had been interrupted mid-fight and the rest of the gathered creatures stood in reflex to the vampire brawl about to blow through the room.

“Becca,” Miyako grabbed her cousin’s arm, pulling her back, and putting herself between the bright-born and, potentially, her father.

Understanding what was possibly about to happen, Alisha joined Miyako in front of Rebecca.

Baldwin released Marcus and carefully regarded the three women.

“I see you returned my wife, safely, thank you Miyako,” Baldwin’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “I’m sure she simply got lost when this witch abducted her from the safety of her home.”

“You know she didn’t kidnap me,” Alisha answered back, causing both Miyako and Marcus to regard her with wide eyed fear, the latter even shaking his head in the hope to discourage her from provoking him.

“You know who I am,” Rebecca spoke up, drawing Baldwin’s ire from his wife and his daughter.

“I’ve known both who you are and where you have been for the last two weeks.”

“You let us think our friend was lost and in danger for all that time?” Nathaniel fumed.

“It was for their safety, the decision had nothing to do with you.”

“Stop this,” Ysabeau interjected calmly, regarding Rebecca with a flash of warm familiarity that Baldwin luckily did not see.

“That magic, I know it,” Sarah shook her head in confusion.

“You called her Rebecca.” Emily addressed Miyako.

“And Montclair called her a witch.” Sarah agreed.

“A witch and a vampire,” Marcus added, “with Matthew’s blood.”

“Papa,“ Miyako started carefully.

“Stop talking,” he warned and fixed his gaze upon Marcus.

“Take Madame de Clermont to our rooms, do whatever checks you need to do to ensure she is well.”

Marcus took a breath to argue but the look on Baldwin’s face was one he knew well.

Disagreement would not be productive.

“I’m fine,” Alisha argued, “and I’m staying with Rebecca and Miyako.”

“Miyako, escort our guest to my office,” Baldwin continued, ignoring Alisha’s protest, “I suggest the smaller reception room for your gathering Ysabeau, this one is much too draughty for warmbloods.”

“Wait-“ Sarah started but was led away by Em and followed behind by Nathaniel.

“Alisha, please,” Marcus held out his hand to gesture she lead the way and follow Baldwin’s directions.

Annoyed but with Baldwin, not Marcus, and not wishing him trouble, she relented and led Marcus and Phoebe to the turret.

Ysabeau glanced at her granddaughter then to Baldwin when the others had left.

“You know who she is?” He challenged.

“She has my blood, of course I know who she is.”

Baldwin sighed deeply crossing his arms and leant against the table.

Ysabeau recognised the exasperated, exhausted look as one frequently displayed upon his father when the strain of holding everything together became apparent.

She knew why he was struggling but would never say it as it would not be constructive.

He needed Matthew.

Alone, he was one half of the equation, the rod. Matthew was the carrot, Philippe had told her so himself, only together could they make things work.

Now, she believed for the first time that even Philippe failed to foresee the effect both of their mates would have on this equation.

“I will speak with her and Miyako, then, if you wish, you may converse with her.”

“What about Marcus and her aunts?”

“Of course Marcus can, but there is no way I’m telling my sisters about this.”

“Nor would I but I meant Diana’s aunts.”

“This is a family matter, the witches aren’t family.”

“They’re her family!” She told him firmly but carefully.

“Very well,” he grumbled and stood.

Ysabeau smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, leaving before he could process the caring gesture and before she could see the almost imperceptible quirk of a smile.

“Here,” Phoebe handed Alisha a glass of water from a nearby carafe, “drink this, you’re white as a sheet.”

Alisha noted her giving a concerned look to Marcus, in the process of him checking her pulse and blood pressure.

“Thank you,” Alisha took the glass gratefully, “Phoebe.”

“Vitals are fine and since I value my life I won’t ask what got you so afraid.”

“I’m not…” she trailed off as she saw Marcus regard her with doubt, “it’s best for both of us if you don’t.” Alisha agreed quietly.

“You’re concerned your husband would harm you?” Phoebe prompted.

“Phoebe,” Marcus warned.

“I know vampires have their rules, Marcus, but I won’t just sit back and let that…fucking brute abuse her.”

“Baldwin has never harmed me, and he wouldn’t,” Alisha assured her warmly, “but if I were ever in that situation I’d want a friend like you.”

“We’ll be family soon,” Phoebe corrected reaching out a comforting hand towards her shoulder, stopped only by Marcus catching her wrist firmly but gently.

“She’s been gone for two weeks, any new scent near her could set him off.”

“Your sister is a new scent.”

“No, she’s not, I can’t explain it but she seems to have my grandfather’s blood as well.”

“I thought vampires couldn’t have children biologically.”

“There’s a lot we’re still learning but it has happened before.”

Marcus looked questioning at Alisha.

“I can’t, anything I might say could change how things are supposed to play out. Only Rebecca knows what’s safe to tell. I hope you understand.”

He nodded with reluctance.

Gallowglass hadn’t answered his call when Baldwin sought to tell him about the appearance of the trio.

It was not like him but Baldwin hadn’t the time to ponder before Gallowglass called him back.

“Something happened,” Gallowglass started as soon as Baldwin accepted his call, “I followed them to Venice but they’re just gone-“

“Stop, Gallowglass,” he sighed, “they’re here, they’re safe! And you didn’t answer when I called you!”

“I was busy. How did they get there?”

“You told me about the witch, seems she inherited her mother’s abilities.”

Gallowglass heaved a deep sigh of relief and chuckled.

“I should have known that wee pissant Benjamin wouldn’t have gotten the best of Miya.”

“Benjamin,” Baldwin fumed, “Fuchs, Matthew’s fuckup that keeps on giving was near my wife and my daughter?”

“According to Domenico, who’s still alive but barely. His children are looking after him.”

“Leave now, go to the airport, my plane will be waiting for you!”

“I’m not afraid of Benjamin, or that decrepit old pope Gerbert.”

“Gerbert is working with Fuchs?”

“Aye, but I can handle it!”

“If Gerbert and Fuchs are working together it’s not safe, they probably killed Peter.”

“I’ve seen off more Christians in my time than you have, Uncle, I can handle this one.”

“I’m not arguing with you, come home!”

“You know France has never been my home, not after-“

“I know, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re right, France may not be home but we are, I expect you here by the morning.”

There was an audibly furious silence on the other end of the line.

“Yes Sieur.” Gallowglass hung up.

Baldwin sighed with relief.

Even in death, Hugh would never forgive him if he let anything happen to Gallowglass on his watch.

Shaking the thought off, he strode towards the office where his daughter and the witch awaited him.

“Is everything alright?” Rebecca prompted.

“Of course,“ he took his seat opposite them, “so just how far ahead in the future are you, exactly?”

“Eighteen years.” Rebecca answered.

She knew her uncle, he could be kind, affectionate and generous with his time but she also knew of his impatience when information was critical.

He nodded solemnly.

“I suppose I already got two thousand years, I probably shouldn’t lament a shortness of time.”

“There are things we cannot tell you about the future-“ Miyako started.

“And yet I know if I was there I’d never have let this happen.”

“Father-“

“Does this future include Benjamin Fuchs?”

Miyako and Rebecca glanced at one another, shocked.

“Gallowglass was following you, at my behest but he lost the trail when you appeared here.”

“Is he alright, did Fuchs attack him?” Miyako asked.

“He’s fine, apparently Domenico was forthcoming with his version of events.”

“He’s alive?” Rebecca asked hopefully.

“He’ll live,” Baldwin regarded her curiously, “Gallowglass will be back soon but in the meantime, you’re going to tell me why you sought out Domenico.”

“Father, your rules, as you said-“

“I am aware of what I said, but I am also aware that you already changed things by removing Catarina from her time!”

“You know-“ Rebecca started.

“No, I suspected,” he answered sharply “now I know!”

“We saved her to prevent something worse happening in the future,” Rebecca admitted, “we didn’t know then that she was your mate and our intention was not to reunite you. Obviously fate intervened.”

“I suppose Michael was someone from your time you could trust?”

“One thing changed since he won’t be there now.” Rebecca confirmed.

“Anything else drastically different?”

“Knox, he shouldn’t be dead yet.”

“But there’s not too big a jump.” Miyako countered.

“Keep going!” Baldwin warned and noted Rebecca’s anxious expression.

“Emily,” she admitted, “Knox was killed because he killed her first.”

“I’m sorry Papa, I know I’m not your Miyako-“

“Stop talking,” he warned her, “you tried to act the same and your effort was commendable, cbut I know when my daughter is behaving strangely.”

“I wasn’t behaving strangely.” Miyako frowned, offended by the insinuation her cover wasn’t sufficient.

“I can count on one hand how often you called me Papa before you visited for the wedding, I estimate you came to this time just after I sent you to Seoul?”

“Yes.” She said in quiet defeat.

“Never tell me you are not my daughter because in anywhere at anytime, you will always be my Miyako. Is that understood?”

“Yes,” she paused, “Papa.”

He smiled warmly and turned to Rebecca.

“Gallowglass couldn’t tell me much more than what you shared when you first arrived.”

“And I knew you would understand the danger of messing with the timeline, as Grandad did when Mum and Dad visited him.”

“Messing with the timeline,” he huffed, “you have done a lot of that already. Does my wife know, who she was?”

“There’s knowing and there’s remembering. She knows she was Catarina but doesn’t remember being her.”

“Alright, what doesn’t she know that I have to?”

“Something happens in the future that forced us to go back to fix things. Because it’s related to future events, we can’t tell you.” Miyako explained.

“We got Catarina to make this video before the spell, insurance policy.” Rebecca placed a memory stick on his table.

“She agreed to you taking her memory?”

“Suppressed. She wanted a complete wipe, to protect you and what she knew about our family. I convinced her to do it this way instead.”

“She’s started remembering her ability to understand written and spoken language.”

“Michael’s elixir,” Miyako agreed, “he had it created so that if anything happened to him, she would remember who she is. It wasn’t part of our deal.”

“So she’ll gradually remember?”

“In time.”

“Is she a threat to herself or to others?” He asked pointedly.

“No.” Rebecca assured

“Absolutely not.” Miyako echoed her cousin’s sentiment.

“Very well,” he confirmed, feeling slightly more assured, “I would encourage you both to remain here although I suppose I cannot prevent your leaving, given your talents.”

“As the head of this family and with my father absent I ask for sanctuary, Sieur.”

“Granted. I suppose you will enjoy spending time with your Grandmother, brother and cousin, when he shows up.”

“And you?”

“Me, what about me?”

“If you have time I was hoping you’d take me on a hunt. I am half vampire.”

“Matthew actually allows you to hunt?”

“No, he didn’t teach me.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t question her further.

“Marcus can supply you with bagged blood tonight, first thing tomorrow all three of us will go on a hunt. I’m curious to see my training at work.”

Alisha stood upon hearing the door open.

Baldwin entered with an expression she couldn’t read easily. He wasn’t angry but nor was he contrite.

That was fine, neither was she.

“Marcus assured me you are well.” He said simply, shrugging himself out of his jacket.

“I was safe with Miyako and Rebecca, of course I’m well.”

Baldwin was turned away from her when she heard the cuff-links drop into a bowl on the table.

“And yet,” he turned back to her, “mistake or no, they almost served you up to a sadistic little cretin”

She didn’t say anything, unsure as to what she was permitted to reveal.

“That wasn’t their their fault.”

“You’re right,” he stalked closer, “it was yours.”

[comtessezouboff]

Max Emmanuel II's Gallery of Beauties

A retexture by La Comtesse Zouboff — Original Mesh by @thejim07

Elector Max Emanuel’s Great Gallery of Beauties shows five portraits of ladies at the court of Louis XIV, painted by Pierre Gobert around 1715, brought from the Palace of Versailles, these paintings displayed ladies and princesses of the french court at the dawn of Louis XIV's life.

This set contains 5 portraits, with the original frame swatches, fully recolourable. The portraits are of:

Marie-Anne de Clermont, Duchess of Joyeuse with a dog.

Marie Anne de Bourbon-Conti, Princess of Conti as Venus with Cupid

Marie Louise Élisabeth d'Orléans, Duchess of Berry

Louise Françoise de Crussol d'Úzès, Marquise of Gondrin as venus with cupid

Marie-Anne de Bourbon, Princess of Conti as Pomona, with Vertumnus at her side (replacing the portrait of Madame de Charolois, as no decent pictures of the portrait exists)

Found under decor > paintings for 2.090§

Retextured from the "Portrait of the Duchess of Angoulême" found here

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CC shown here:

Wall paneling and floor by @thejim07

Loveseat, armchairs and chairs by @aroundthesims

Doors by @joojconverts

Drive

(Sims3Pack | Package)

(Useful tags below)

@joojconverts @ts3history @ts3historicalccfinds @deniisu-sims @katsujiiccfinds

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[softersinned-arc]

@inkpromise

Were she honest about it, she would be forced to confess that she has not quite forgiven her nephew for his allegiances.

She understands well enough, she supposes; he's lost his father, lost much of his family, watched as his grandfather burned bridges left and right and shaped himself into a god. And in theory, she doesn't blame him: whatever connection he felt (feels) with Matthew and Diana is profound, no doubt, and being named a godfather to one of Diana's children, having that child bear one of his names... well. In theory, she gets it. And in theory, she's gracious enough about it, because a scion is still a part of the family and it wouldn't do for Madame de Clermont to show such blatant favoritism.

But she is neither so gracious nor so understanding in practice as she is in theory. Her communication with Gallowglass has been limited, her time spent in no small part cleaning up the messes made by her brother-in-law and his troublesome wife. She has only begun to reconcile Marcus' defection, but his, she understands. Better to place some measure of distance between a carrier of blood rage and a man dedicated to wiping out any threat posed to the family. She has yet to forgive Gallowglass. She has yet to determine if he even thinks he needs to be forgiven.

Still, when duty calls, she answers. Astoria lets herself into Gallowglass' home in Prague with all the entitlement of her rank and the familiarity of a friend, that simmering anger pushed aside in favor of what she's been asked to do. And when the door opens and the lord of the manor himself appears, Astoria knows that it's no shock (no doubt he could smell her here, no doubt he's already prepared for dealing with her) but she smiles brightly all the same, as though her mere presence is a delightful enough surprise to overcome any rudeness in a bit of friendly breaking-and-entering between family.

(There is a message in it, too: no entry is denied to me, not when family is concerned. It is, for once, not meant as a threat, merely as a reminder. Even if he's chosen Matthew and Diana, he is still under her protection, and Baldwin's. And he is still family.)

"I brought wine," she says by way of greeting, holding up a bottle and nodding towards the case of it she'd deposited on the floor beside where she sat. "I hope you don't mind that I let myself in. The weather was wreaking havoc on my hair." And then she smiles, really smiles, and she softens in spite of herself. "You've been silent, sweet thing. More silent than usual. Are you alright?"

[apinchofm]

The Miriam and Matthew used to be married AU based on this post lol - part 2

@matthewsblue @dreamofme9 @spitefularmand

Going to France was an exhausting journey.

Matthew's wife was beautiful, if not imposing. Her rich burgundy silk gown and her dark hair down and long, instead of the usual fashion polite; a hound obediently at her side.

"Madame de Clermont," The steward bowed as the last of luggage was taken inside.

"Auntie." Gallowglass grinned, "Your son."

Miriam narrowed her eyes as she inspected him. No bloodrage, at least not yet. He had survived the journey, as had everyone else on the ship.

"When was he made?" Miriam asked, rather than greet him.

Gallowglass looks sheepish, and Marcus doesn't understand what the problem is, "Ah, well, last month-"

"A month? He is a month old?" Miriam asked, turning to Marcus, "A month? Your father..." She muttered in an old language he did not understand.

He stopped himself from saying his father is dead.

Instead, she fusses over the boy. She insists on calling him a boy, and Marcus finds himself unable to stop her. It's an odd feeling, as she teaches him to be what he is now.

"I must learn Arabic?" He asked, confused, seeing the book when she gave it to him.

"Yes. I speak it." Miriam said, "It makes it easier to converse when others are listening."

"Who would be listening?" Marcus asked.

"So many people. So many."

...

"You let him go to a brothel?"

Miriam merely looks at her husband, who is back from America and is angered by her method of raising Marcus. He was controlled and polite, if not rebellious at times, but she found it endearing.

"You sent him here, a month old. I had to." She reasoned, still reading her book, "Do not be a prude, dear. Veronique likes him."

Matthew sighed harshly, "Miriam..."

"Do not huff and puff, Matthew. I hear George Washington hates it.""

"Miriam, I had to-" She snapped her book closed and walked out to the balcony.

"Slave owners!" She yelled back, echoing her contention with America. Those men were hypocrites. Hypocrite, slavers and murderers and her husband helped them build a nation.

"Marcus is against the slave trade. You'll find him at the Marquis de Condorcet's salon." Miriam smirked, hearing Matthew's eye roll. For a man so involved in mundane politics, he hated dissidence and their son had taken to the salons of France with ease.

Matthew sighed, leaning down and placing his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Darling... he is good. He does not have my sickness."

"I know." Miriam agreed quietly, "He will be a terrible de Clermont." He huffed a laugh and grinned, "I so enjoy annoying your father."

"I know." Matthew laughed, "I know. I think Philippe likes him. I do not know if that is a bad thing or not."

"A brilliant thing." Miriam murmured, "We can keep him." She turned her head and Matthew pressed a quick kiss to her lips she smiled as they kissed gently, having missed his company.

"He is to apologise for both Elizabeths, isn't he?" She murmured. He knew she wanted another son, and he had vehemently disagreed, especially after Benjamin. She had pointed out that she would not raise a Benjamin, and he then went away to England, leaving the argument unresolved.

And then slept with Elizabeth I. So much for the Virgin Queen.

Matthew raised an eyebrow, and she smirked. He had been caught out.

[famousinuniverse]

Marie Anne de Bourbon (1697–1741) Better known as Mademoiselle de Clermont

Marie Anne de Bourbon was Surintendante de la Maison de la Reine to the French queen Maria Leszczyńska. She was the daughter of Louis III, Prince of Condé. Her father was the grandson of le Grand Condé and her mother, Louise Françoise de Bourbon, Mademoiselle de Nantes, was the eldest surviving daughter of Louis XIV of France and his maîtresse-en-titre, Madame de Montespan. She was known as Mademoiselle de Clermont.

Born: October 16, 1697, Paris

Died: August 11, 1741, Petit Luxembourg

Spouse: Louis, Duke of Joyeuse (m. 1719–1724)

Parents: Louise Françoise, Princess of Condé, Louis III, Prince of Condé

Grandparents: Louis XIV, MORE

Great-grandparents: Louis, Grand Condé, Anne of Austria

Little is known of this group portrait showing a seated white female figure, currently identified as Marie-Anne de Bourbon (1697–1741), better known as Mademoiselle de Clermont, and several unidentified Black models. The painting aligns with the genre of historicised portraits, that is, representations of actual sitters in a fantasy or allegorical setting. The seated woman at the centre was the youngest child of Louis III de Bourbon, Prince de Condé and of Mademoiselle de Nantes, an illegitimate (though subsequently recognised) daughter of Louis XIV. Nattier shows Mademoiselle de Clermont in the guise of a Sultana in a harem, an erotically charged space in the Western imagination. The painting is thus an early example of 'Turquerie' — a depiction in an imaginary 'Turkish' vein — that slowly emerged as a new fashion in the years around 1720. This setting provided the artist with an excuse to include Clermont’s exposed lower legs and knees, elements that would have been unacceptable in a formal court portrait. The fantasy setting may also provide some rationale for the presence of the other women in this painting: six Black figures who are grouped around the seated Clermont. As people of colour, such women would not have been typical habitués of the eighteenth-century French court; their presence here thus enhances the exotic mood created by the ‘Turkish’ allusions. Today, their identities are unknown, though given the specificity with which the artist has rendered their features, we might suppose he worked from actual models or print representations, rather than purely from his imagination. It is also worth noting that the painting was made only a few short decades after the establishment, by Clermont’s ancestor Louis XIV, of the Code Noir. This notorious document codified slavery in the French colonial empire. It is likely, therefore, that the women represented here would have been understood by contemporary viewers as enslaved. Alluding to power dynamics that make the today’s viewer uncomfortable, the presence of these women of colour in relation to Clermont would have reinforced the eighteenth-century viewer’s perception of her wealth and status. The fact that the image is so dominated by Clermont may suggest that she was deeply involved in constructing its iconography. Yet Nattier’s painting contrasts markedly with Clermont’s public image and her official function of Surintendante de la maison de la Reine (senior lady-in-waiting to the Queen) from 1725. It may have been intended for her private collection, or as a gift from her to a close associate. Unfortunately, the early provenance of the work is unknown. The painting was only shown at the Salon of 1742, nine years after its creation, a clear indication that its public display was not acceptable while Clermont was still alive. In the context of our ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion initiative here at the Wallace Collection, research on this painting, its making, and its meanings is still ongoing. If you have any information to share, we invite you to contact collection@wallacemuseum.org.

Date: 1733 Object Type: Painting Medium: Oil on canvas Image size: 109 x 104.5 cm Inv: P456 Location: Billiard Room

Jean-Marc Nattier

Mademoiselle de Clermont en Sultane

France (1733)

Oil on canvas, 109 x 104.5 cm.

[x] [x]

[fashinistagirlunit4]

fashion at Chatsworth house through the years

THE EMPRESS’s OF FASHION

Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire 1757-1806

picture painted roughly 1785-1787

if the court of Versailles was the the centre of taste and fashion in the eighteenth century, the court of at James was the ‘residence of fullness’ in the damning phrase of a visiting Prussian dignitary. Rather than the conservative court, English fashion was led by an elite group of conservatives court, English fashion was led by an elite group of aristocratic women in the circle of the prince of wales, who presided over a rival ‘court’ of powerful, pleasure-loving Whigs opposed to the ruling Tory party. Among these titles luminaries one name was Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire. From an early age Georgina was tutored in the art of dress by a mother whose renowned intellect and piety did nothing to dampen her own love of fashion, spending £1,486 on gown, riding habits, shoes, fans, hats and mantles.

confections of feathers, flowers and other ornaments, nestled in sculptures of scent of powder and pomade. The trend began in Paris by Georgina had several of our place in four months in November 1774, her friend Lady Clermont wrote to her from Paris with news of a surprising fashion trend started by Madame de boufflers: “there is no describing her headdress and of all young people they sit at the bottom of their coaches, as I have no room if they sit on the seat”. As she was unable to describe the new headdress, Lady Clermont drew a picture of it in the text of her letter. It was not long before Georgina began wearing similar high feathered coiffures.

Louisa Cavendish Duchess of Devonshire 1858-1859

The history of fancy dress goes back many centuries, costumed masked balls were a feature of sixteenth century Italy and were especially popular in Venice, with the custom spreading across Europe. Legend has it that a Swiss count, John James Heidegger introduced public subscription masked balls from Venice to London in the early years of the eighteenth century. The masked balls were held in theatres and assembly rooms, and later in public gardens such as Ranelagh and Vauxhall.

Every season the 8th Duke of Devonshire and his Duchess Louise gave a number of parties and entertainments, including an annual dance the night after the Derby, but Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was the perfect opportunity to give the ball of the century. Since fancy dress was all the rage, Louise decided to give her guests plenty of scope for imagination, and stipulated on the invitation that dress should be "allegorical or historical costume before 1815.

Deborah Vivien Cavendish Duchess of Devonshire 1952

Deborah Viven Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire 1952

THE MITFORD STYLE

A photograph of five of the six Mitford sisters taken in the mid-1930s fixed the 'Mitford style' in the public imagination: tweed suit, Fair Isle jumper, a string of pearls and flat, no-nonsense shoes (fig. 108). How ironic that such a conventional style should be associated with such highly unconventional women.Their lives were anything but ordinary; at the time the photograph was taken, they were defying family expectations and scandalising society with their political views.But however little the 'Mitford style' might reveal about the women who wore it, certain of its features nevertheless remained constant in their wardrobes. They favoured clothes that were comfortable, practical, long-lasting and, when they could afford it, expensively but discreetly elegant. 'No one is going to look at you', their nanny drummed into them from a young age, even into Diana, the most beautiful of the sisters, on her wedding day.

the five sisters

Nancy Mitford in her costume for the famous beauties ball at the Dorchester hotel 1931

Married and was raising a family of seven children on never quite enough money, she could not afford many clothes, but those she had were original and exactly right for her.The pretty uniform she designed for her housekeeper and parlour maid was also original: a blue and white Toile-de-Jouy dress in a traditional bird pattern, a white linen apron and an organdy cap threaded with black velvet ribbon. She had a talent for making herself and her surroundings har-monious, and she too made her clothes last. When Jessica was over from America in 1959, she helped her mother pack up her winter clothes and came across a black silk brocade evening dress. "This looks awfully familiar', she said. 'Yes, I should think it does', Sydney replied, 'I got it in 1926 for Pam's coming-out dance.'As a debutante, Nancy went to parties in frocks run up by her mother's retired maid for £1, but she longed for creations from the London dressmakers. Sadly, her husband, Peter Rodd, was feckless and a gambler. But Nancy had natural elegance and looked chic even in homemade or inexpensive outfits.

[awkward-sultana]

(Almost) Every Costume Per Episode + Béatrice de Clermont’s red gown in 1x07

[boneysoups]

I found a way to make us noble and keep us noble.

[chaotic-history]

Tbf, the thing with Thomas using Philippe for his own gain isn't remotely unique to him, or to any characters on the show. Literally all of the marraiges in the show are marraiges for political reasons or because someone wants to advance, Madame de Clermont sleeps with Fabien to try and gain his trust, she trying to have Sophie catch the king's eye to advance their family's standing. So I wouldn't call this bad rep considering they're getting quite literally the same rep as every straight person on the show.

As for Monchevy, it's the same thing of, are there really any relationships portrayed in the show that *aren't* toxic? I haven't seen s3 yet so maybe there is, but so far I don't think there's really been any. Maybe Louis and Henriette, but he still didn't respect her. And as for the violence between them, yes, obviously it's bad, but again, it's not placed next to unproblematic straight ships, it's placed next to incredibly emotionally manipulative ones. And "aggressive/angry with egos that clash all the time" is pretty par for the course among everyone else as well, and if I had to pick one character I'd describe that way, it'd be Louis by miles.

Also with the sexualization aspect, it's no more than it is with Louis' relationship with Madame de Montespan. And the "constant sex parties" is just.. historically accurate. Lorraine was basically running a secret gay sex club in which one of Louis' sons was involved (and Lorraine was accused of + exiled for sleeping with said son), had an orgy the day before he died, and would frequently go and sleep with women whenever he wanted to upset Philippe. Historically Lorraine was also described as very manipulative, with Henriette and Liselotte both specifically saying he was manipulating Philippe.

Gay Representation in Versailles

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TW // Abuse, toxicity, attempted suicide, sex scenes

From a personal perspective, before starting the show, I already knew Monchevy was the most popular ship. So it disappointed me when I watched it (esp as I'm always on the hunt for diverse media). At the moment I have a love-hate relationship with them.

In the show, Philipe and Chevailer clash multiple times in both verbal and physical ways. There is clear cut jealousy and manipulation which stems from Chevailer in the early seasons. For example, Chevailer was jealous of Henriette, of when Philipe had to be in the company of other men.

And that jealous stemmed into further issues such as gambling and spending Philipe's money which then led to physical altercations such as when Philipe threw Chev across the floor, strangled and threatened to kill Chevailer.

The issues continue when in season 2 Chevailer threatens suicide because he didn't understand why there was now distance between them two.

There are also slaps and aggression when it comes to sexual scenes which is another point I'd like to talk about.

LGBTQ+ sex scenes should definitely be normalised in media, especially with the amount of heterosexual sex scenes but I think there is also a way to do this too. LGBT community is always sexualised or couples are seen as only being 'sexual' which I think is what happened in Versailles. It is also something I have seen a lot in the fandom - people sexualising Monchevy. They are so much more than to be sexualised and yet it's the only thing I've ever really seen within the fandom! (On a day-to-day basis)

Their first ever scene was a sex scene and from that point forward, there was a lot of lustful-ness (or more) compared to love. And I also think being able to differentiate between the two is what the characters also struggled with.

For example in season three, when Chev genuinely was worried about Philipe, P responded with "And why are you here, going to demand sexual favours?" And I think this example shows that the two characters struggled in their feelings. The constant sex parties portrayed also didn't help.

The slaps, the strangulations, the toxicity and abuse are not things which are 'normal' for heterosexual ships, so why are they accepted for gay ships?

From a personal point of view, I have had a handful of gay men who are my friends watch the show, only for them to come back to me and say they literally can't watch more than a few episodes due to the representation. After speaking with them further, I learned about how gay men are usually portrayed as aggressive lovers who have egos which clash all the time (hence why there is usually violence).

Btw, this post isn't saying you "should or shouldn't ship them" Monchevy are complex, I for one love their character development and growth! But it IS something to be thinking about and addressing. They're not perfect, no. But I wish they could have been shown as imperfect in a less violent and toxic way.

Next it's Thomas! Thomas' sexuality was never addressed until his interactions with Philipe. And I think this is also a bad portrayal of bisexual people or those who like more than one gender. Thomas used Philipe for his own gain which isn't a secret. But at the same time, he used him in a sexual way. Philipe was doing his duty by obeying his brother and trying to find things out about Thomas. It's clear from the epsiodes that he never wished for it to turn sexual nor consented to what Thomas did. Again, this shows gay rep as solely 'sexual.'

Yes, Thomas wasn't a good person, yes he used many people for his own gain. But he knew Philipe was gay and used that to his advantage. Philipe had no choice but to obey.

This is also something which I noticed happened with Chevailer. When he started hanging around Delphine, he was often jeered by Philipe as simply wanting to use her sexual - despite a handful of emphasis from Chevailer stating that was not the case, it was more than that. I think again this also shows the characters thoughts on each other.

[incorrectly-quoted-versailles]

Chevalier: If I need you, cousin, I’ll give you the signal.

Béatrice: What signal?

Chevalier: I’ll imitate the scream of a terrified little girl.

[jomiddlemarch]

And happiness is always louder

“Matthew doesn’t know everything,” Marthe said. Her tone was relaxed, she kept kneading the dough in front of her as she must have done for a hundred thousand mornings. Maybe more. Diana was not sure how old she was, except that she was older than Matthew, than Ysabeau even.

“What do you mean, tante?” Diana used the affectionate title Marthe had suggested but evidently not expected to hear from a witch, judging by her wide smile.

“About mating, what is required,” Martha replied, slapping at the dough. The kitchen was the only part of Sept-Tours that reminded Diana of home. There were kettles and a broad wooden table, a bowl of apples and bunches of herbs hanging from a rafter. The stone walls were deep, the windows cut in, but the light fell through in the same way.

“Will you tell me then?”

“You would like to know more than he does?” Marthe asked.

“I’d like to know what you think is important,” Diana said carefully. Marthe would scent the truth, whether she tried to conceal it or not. What did the truth smell like? Jasmine or chalk or iodine? The wine they all drank or the burning wick of a candle?

“He thinks your mating, your marriage, is unconsummated,” Marthe said.

“What?”

“Ysabeau said Phillippe should instruct him and I didn’t argue that much. It was busier then, there were so many creatures to tend,” Marthe said, plaiting the dough into a fat loaf and setting it on a sheet of metal. She drank from the mug next to her and Diana wondered briefly whether it was tea or something stronger.

“I’m afraid I still don’t understand entirely, tante.”

“It is your mutual joy that binds you, how you trust each other to show your face in your communion. How you trust each other to give joy, ma petite,” Marthe said. Diana sensed the vampire was speaking more delicately than her own inclination, to protect Diana’s sensibilities.

“You are saying the location, the situation that leads to orgasm is irrelevant? The possibility of conception is…unimportant?”

“Yes. It isn’t only one equation, which you’d think a biochemist would suspect,” Marthe said, rolling her eyes.

“I see,” Diana said. “It seems vampires are not so different from any other male animal, creature or otherwise. As lovely as I find Matthew, in general and very specifically, it seems an overestimate of an organ’s significance. A rather restrictive view of what belongs where.”

“You do see, Madame de Clairmont,” Marthe laughed. “Will you tell him?”

“Why would I do that? Knowledge is power and Matthew has undeniable skills I should hate for him to stop practicing. He’s quite good with his hands, you see,” Diana said.

“And with his mouth, non? My ears have been ringing these past nights. And at dawn.”

“Marthe!”

“He’s never been so happy, not in all the time I’ve ever known him. You don’t need my blessing, Diana, but you have it,” Marthe said. “And Ysabeau’s, though she won’t say it aloud. It’s good to see our Matthew has such a good wife, one so giving.”

“Even if I am a witch?”

“You are Diana, a scholar and an American, an orphan and a writer. You are a witch but that isn’t all you are. The young ones, like Matthew, they don’t always understand.”

“Thank you for telling me the truth, tante,” Diana said.

“You’re welcome. And don’t worry about the noise. Most couples wouldn’t spend their honeymoon with their belle-méreand their lover’s nounou. We understand.”

[red-finch-and-linnet-bird]

Versailles? More like Ver-sigh i love monchevy

[redxluna]

#ByeByeBye