Historical and Commemorative
Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
MARRIAGE OF LOUISE ELIZABETH
D'ORLEANS AND LOUIS I OF SPAIN ST URBAIN, Ferdinand de: France, 1721, Bronze, 44 mm
Louis I de Bourbon (1707-1724), King of Spain, was the son of Philip V de
Bourbon, King of Spain and Mary Louise (Gabrielle) de Savoie, Princess of
Sardinia. Louise Elizabeth d'Orleans (1709-1742) (Mademoiselle de
Montpensier) was the daughter of Philippe II d'Orleans, Duke of Orleans, and
Francoise Marie De Blois. Louise Elizabeth married Louis I of Spain in 1723,
the event commemorated by this medal. (It may be noted that according to the
medal, which was struck contemporary with the period, the marriage took
place in 1721). Philip II (1674-1723), Duke of Orleans (1701-1723),
regent of France, was the son of Philip I, Duke of Orleans (1640-1701) (who
was the brother of Louis XIV and the son of Louis XIII). He fought at
Sternkerk, Neewinden and Namur. He was successful in campaigns in Italy and
Spain but his suspected desire to succeed Philip V, King of Spain, gained
him Louis XIV’s disfavor. In 1715 he was appointed president of the council
of regency of the young King Louis XV, and on Louis XIV’s death he invested
himself with absolute power. On the majority of King Louis XV in1723, he
relinquished his supreme power but became first minister to the king until
his death later that year. Although Philip had great administrative
abilities, he lacked moral restraint, and his regency was one of the most
corrupt periods in French history. LINK to
Biography of Philippe II, Duke of Orleans (from Wikipedia)
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