Note 98 — II MADAME DE MAINTENON[73]
Reading edition
The extent of Mme de Maintenon’s influence on the government has been much discussed. See A. de Boislisle’s note on this passage (XXVII. 254, n. 5), and Lavisse, Hist. de France, VIII. Pt I. 282-5, 431-6. The opinion of both these authorities is that Saint-Simon’s account of her share in affairs is not exaggerated. She was certainly much concerned with Spanish politics, she corresponded regularly with Villars during all his campaigns from 1703, and she took a large part in all religious questions.