Twenty-eight-year-old Louis, in a move to consolidate his crown, resolves to establish his seat of power outside Paris by moving his court to his father's former hunting lodge at the Palace of Versailles, on the outskirts of of the capital.

By removing the nobles of Paris there, he is able to keep them under control. At the palace, the aristocrats are expected to compete for the privilege of watching Louis XIV wake up, eat meals and prepare for bed while the King satisfies his many appetites. But who was Louis XIV?

Louis XIV of France, king of kings

Born on September 5, 1638, Louis was christened Louis-Dieudonné, meaning 'gift of God' and became king at the age of four upon the death of his father, Louis XIII (1601-1643).

He reigned for 72 years and 110 days until his death on September 1, 1715, longer than that of any other known European sovereign.