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Who Do You Think You Are? Season Two
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King of Kings
In her journey, Brooke Shields discovers that she has royal blood and is genetically linked to some of the most famous kings of France. One of Brooke's relatives, King Louis XIV, is known to be one of the greatest monarchs of all time. During his reign he enhanced France's state from its medieval ways to a more refined, cultured society. Here are a few fun facts about Brooke's very famous first cousin.
Did you know?
- Louis XIV was born after 23 years of his parents' childless marriage and therefore was named "Louis-Dieudonne" (Louis-God-given).
- Louis XIV, France's "Sun King" had the longest reign in European history (1643-1715) and succeeded his father on the throne at the age of four. He lasted 72 years, three months and 18 days as king.
- "I am the state." He began personally governing France in 1661 after the death of his prime minister Cardinal Mazarin, and continued the nobility's exemption on taxes but forced its members into financial dependence on the crown, thus creating court nobility. He had many inhabit the Palace of Versailles as well.
- Louis XIV chose the sun as his emblem because it is associated with Apollo, the god of peace and arts. During his reign, France became more refined in culture and the arts and he brought the Académie Française under his patronage, allowing classical French literature to flourish by protecting such writers as Molière, Racine and La Fontaine.
- The Palace of Versailles was originally a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII until Louis XIV converted it into his lavish palace that still stands today.
- It has been rumored that he owned over 100 wigs and had extravagant tastes for food and women.
- During times of war, Louis XIV devoted himself very much to military affairs, going out to the battlefield and attending over 20 sieges, until he was too old to do so.
- In 1698 Louis XIV ordered the imprisonment of a man, and that the man wear a mask at all times. Although the identity of the man was never confirmed, rumors spread throughout France that Louis XIV had made his twin brother a prisoner, in fear of sharing his power. This is depicted in the story "The Man in the Iron Mask," yet there is no evidence to support it. The prisoner did wear a mask, but it was most likely made out of black velvet. The philosopher Voltaire claimed that he saw the face of the prisoner, and that he looked identical to Louis XIV, thus keeping the myth alive.
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