The King's sojourns at Versailles during the hunting season, however,
had their effect. Many of the royal intimates were influenced to build
on land given to them by the sovereign. So before Louis XIII died his
chateau was surrounded by many charming country houses. On April 8,
1632, Louis came into possession of the feudal dwelling of
Jean-Francois de Gondi and its lands. Versailles then began to acquire
distinction. It was the King's resort. Could any one afford to
question its character, or location, or the standing of those that, at
the King's behest, took up their residence there? Not we surely, who
can now view Versailles in the light of history. All aside from its
splendid court life and its magnificent festivities, we know it as the
scene of three epoch-making events in the world's history. During and
shortly after the American Revolution, Versailles was the scene of
treaty negotiations in which France, England and America were the
active parties. About a century later, in 1871, the treaty was
consummated there that ended the Franco-Prussian War, by which France
lost Alsace and Lorraine and was forced to pay to Germany
$1,000,000,000. And now, in our day, the most superb irony of history
has brought about a treaty in the same Hall of Mirrors by which Germany
repays, and the map of Europe undergoes radical changes.
CHAPTER II
THE MAKING OF VERSAILLES
The Luxurious Chateau and Parkland of Louis XIV
At the death of Louis XIII, in 1643, the little chateau of Versailles was
abandoned as a dwelling.
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