GILDED PALACE, GILDED PLAYPEN - LOUIS-XV USE OF PALATIAL SPACE TO CONTROL HIS REBELLIOUS CHILDREN AND THEIR POLITICS

Behind the splendor and glitter of eighteenth-century Versailles exist ed a contentious and dangerous hotbed of royal family politics. Throug hout the second half of his reign, Louis XV experienced opposition and intrigue from his children, particularly from his son, Louis the daup hin, and his eldest surviving daughter Adelaide. Fortunately for the k ing, this intrigue of family politics took place within the environs o f Versailles, an environment that was his to control. Louis XV was abl e to use this palatial space to oversee and counter his children's pol itics and intrigues. I suggest that in the final analysis, Louis XV co mmunicated his satisfaction and displeasure within the transformations he made at Versailles.