The Duke of Montagu was in his own way a pioneer of the "showroom", this word which today designates exhibition premises intended to promote goods, not always of the greatest elegance.
Aristocrat as he was, Ralph Montagu had something to sell.
And not to just anyone, to the sovereign of England.
In this twilight of the 17th century, the one who was still only a lord wants to impress William III in order to be made duke.
And, for that, he made in his home of Boughton, in Northamptonshire, a demonstration of what could be achieved at the royal castle of Hampton Court.
Former ambassador of the kingdom in France, the courtier brought French good taste across the Channel.
Dangled Versailles splendor to the king.
The grandson of the dynasty's founder, Sir Edward Montagu,
would never have become a man of power and influence if his brother had not been too ardent with women.
And the “English Versailles” would probably never have existed.
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