I’m still reading Louis XIII, The Making of a King. It really delivers in terms of giving me insight into Louis’s character. I’ve found some shocking contradictions.
The death of Henri II of France and all four of his childless sons, weighed over Henri IV. The vital importance of young Louis’s fertility was second only to that of his parents. Louis’s physician, Héroard wrote the following, when Louis was just nine months old. “He takes pleasure, and bursts out laughing when the maid who dresses him wiggles his cock with the end of her finger.” Another entry continues the theme: “He has himself put on his nurse’s bed, where she plays with him, often putting her hand up under his dress.”
A few months later, a nobleman and his daughter meet the infant dauphin. Héroard records the encounter: “He laughed hard at him, pulled up his dress and showed his cock to him; but above all to his daughter. Because, while holding it and laughing his little laugh, he shook his whole body, people remarked that he understood what it was all about.”
It seems rather contradictory then, that he was often threatened with mutilation. At only two years of age, even his beloved nurse, Doundoun, warned him about the threat to his genitals. “Don’t let anyone touch your nipples or your cock – they’ll cut them off.” Héroard recorded his own threat. Louis suggested that a ribbon on his coat was too long and should be trimmed, Héroard said. “Then, Sir, we must cut off your cock.” He records the infant’s response: “Oh, no! It’s not too long – it’s short!”
A little later he feared that Louis might slip and fall against a croquet mallet. Héroard exclaimed: “Sir, your cock is gone.” Louis replied, “What? Isn’t it there?” anxiously showing the doctor the place for it. The doctor’s explanation is that, “he was leaning against the handle, and I wanted to scare him about it.”
I can’t cope with any more horror this morning. I’ll tell you about the whippings tomorrow. I certainly think the next book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures will feature Louis again.