Elizabeth Charlotte was the second wife of Philippe the duc d’Orleans. She was known as Madame.

She was a tall, butch and unsophisticated woman. She had no sense of fashion and was proud of it.

Madame had three children by Philippe. After the third child they agreed that they no longer had to sleep together. Philippe returned to his boyfriends and Madame enjoyed her abstinence and letter writing.

Her great talent was the flood of thousands of letters she wrote to her relatives full of gossip, invective and descriptions of the people and events happening at Versailles. Historians know a lot about Louis XIV’s court because of Madame’s letters.

Madame lived well into the 18^th century.

Note: When her husband was compelled to have sex with Madame he draped holy medallions and relics around his private parts to insure that he could perform. Apparently they worked!