AAthénaîse de Montespan was a blazingly beautiful woman with huge blue eyes, golden hair and a voluptuous figure. She was greedy, clever, sensual, demanding, temperamental and charming. She had a scathing wit that could flash from funny to damaging. She was expensive and glorious, like Versailles itself. And she was married. Athénaîse was Louis XIV’s second official mistress.

“The Affair of the Poisons” investigation eventually lead to Montespan. Louis hushed up further investigation but Montespan was all but finished.

Montespan retired from court to live in a convent for the rest of her days.

Note: When she died there was no funeral. Louis forbade their remaining children to wear mourning.