Philip Mansel
Booksreview
Remarkable new book reveals the dark side of the Sun King
'The Sun King at Sea' shows how Louis XIV, known for his long reign, and cultural and political power, was also a cruel slave-keeper
Social historyfeature
Louis XIV: his mania for the cult of self
On the 300th anniversary of the Sun King’s death, the writer of a forthcoming biography of France’s most celebrated monarch reflects on the spectacular flourishing of creativity in his reign, and on Louis’s passion for self-commemoration, in everything from medals to sculptures and buildings