Day: August 2, 2022

After the death of his third and final wife, the old King observed the most perfunctory period of mourning, and then turned himself in the direction of pleasure. He ate and drank whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. He took a string of mistresses, both high- and low-born. Despite this apparent devotion to debauchery, His Majesty’s health held up admirably. A notorious wag at court referred to the old King as His Louche Majesty, much to the amusement of others in the court some of whom took their King’s behavior as cart blanche to behave in the same way.