Praise for The Hurlyburly’s Husband
‘Teulé recreates with gusto the bizarre social mores of the nobility at that time: appalling, dirty and wicked … the author explores the hidden corners of history with the ease of a seasoned veteran.’ l’Express
‘A magnificent novel’ Paris Match
‘An unrestrained, nightmarish, hilarious, and moving portrait of the underbelly of the Grand Siècle, wading through its baseness, its excrement and its entrails.’ Elle
‘Jean Teulé reveals the very particular skills of a nobleman who sets out on a quest to contest the legitimacy of the divine right of kings long before the Revolution … An exhilarating novel.’ Figaro Littéraire
‘The husband of Louis XIV’s favourite never came to terms with being deceived by the king. Jean Teulé has restored the name of this magnificent cuckold.’ Figaro Littéraire
The King’s been beating the drum
The King’s been beating the drum
To see all the ladies
And the first that e’er he saw
Did steal his heart away
Tell me, Marquis, do you know her?
Tell me, Marquis, do you know her?
Who is this lady fair?
And the marquis to the King did say
‘Sire, my own wife is she …’
Chanson du
Saintonge,
seventeenth century
Contents
Praise for The Hurlyburly’s Husband