Versailles
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Versailles
Real World Versailles History
Please be careful when adding real-world information to this wiki page. The Dark Places Wiki is designed mostly as a resource for IC information. The brief history below is included primarily to give players inspiration for their characters.
For all its splendor, Versailles is a very young place. It could be considered to have been the resort town of it's day - King Louis XIV, 'The Sun King,' constructed it primarily to give the noble class something to do other than plot and scheme against him. Though Paris was always the official capital of France, Versailles often became it's de facto capital, as much of the business of governing the nation was conducted at Versailles during the reigns of Kings Louis XIV, XV and XVI.
Up until King Louis XIV, Versailles was little more than a market town - one of many small villages surrounding Paris. Ground was broken for the palace at Versailles in 1682. Thanks to King Louis XIV literally giving the surrounding land away for free, a thriving city was being built around the castle.
While Versailles was inhabited by the nobles, a complex system of etiquette was born. Since the nobles had very little real work to do, they devised elaborate codes, dances and games. For instance, knocking was considered gauche - it was instead polite to scratch on the door to which one wished to be admitted. As a result, the nobles of Versailles grew out their index fingernails.
As a centre of power, Versailles was also a cradle for the French Revolution. The Tennis Court Oath, sworn on June 10th, 1789, happened at the tennis courts of Versailles (after finding themselves excluded from the meeting of the Estates-General, the legislative body of France at the time, the Third Estate regrouped at the Versailles tennis courts, where they pledged not to be moved until France had a constitution. This event is often considered to be the opening salvo of the French Revolution). The newly formed National Assembly soon left Versailles for Paris. In the intervening years, Versailles threatened to fall into ruin, and was saved when Louis-Philippe declared it a national museum.
Versailles was once again in the limelight at the close of World War I, where the treaties ending that war were signed. The Treaty of Versailles is often regarded as a pivotal event which, while it ended World War I, precipitated conditions which led to World War II.
Now, Versailles thrives on tourism. Many of the palaces and gardens have been restored to the glory they enjoyed under Louis XIV. It also now considered to be one of the wealthier suburbs of Paris.
Versailles in the World of Darkness
Versailles attracts those who thrive on indulgence. The rich, the effete all love Versailles. In particular, Daeva vampires especially enjoy what Versailles has to offer.
Who's Who
Medieval Era, to 1682 C.E.
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- 1616- Sybila is a courtier at Versailles to Louis XIII. She is rumored by the men of court to be "available" and by the women to "ambitious". She remains involved in the court under various guises until the 1650's.
- 1626- Isabella de Lacretelle is born. Rumoured to be the daughter of Louis XIII.
- 1639- Isabella de Lacretelle marries Jean Luc Girard, whom was an assistant to the King's architect.
- 1640- Isabella de Lacretelle is lavished with the finest teachers that all of France could offer.
- 1643- Isabella de Lacretelle stays in an extended period of mourning when King Louis XIII dies.
- 1646- Isabella de Lacretelle is embraced.
- 1652- Isabella de Lacretelle mourned when Gaston-Jean Baptiste was exiled.
The Age of Kings, 1682 C.E. to 1789 C.E.
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- 1683- Isabella de Lacretelle keeps to the mortal politics and also is known to advise the kindred Prince.
- 1685- Isabella de Lacretelle is known as a brilliant architect, mainly focused upon gardening.
- 1780- Isabella de Lacretelle changes her name to Isabel Marseilles and begins to liquidate her assets.
- 1789- Isabel Marseilles flees Versailles.
Post-Revolution, 1790 C.E. to 1919 C.E.
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Modernity, 1919 C.E. to Present
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- 1940-present- Isabel Marseilles aids in the funding for the restoration of Versailles. Though, she has not set foot back in her homeland since the revolution.
Rumors
Please use common sense when adding to this section or determining what your character knows or believes
Isabel Marseilles had an ongoing affair with her Uncle Gaston-Jean Baptiste and that is why she mourned his exile.
Isabel Marseilles had the Kindred Prince wrapped around her finger.
Isabel Marseilles designed the gardens of Versailles.
