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Once upon a time there was
a wonderful land called France.
2
00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:55,672
Through the spyglass,
you see the 18th century in full swing.
3
00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,633
The people were happy,
the women easy,
4
00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:01,718
and men indulged
war.
5
00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:07,433
The only sport of kings
which the people could play as well.
6
00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,519
But which glorious battle is this?
7
00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:15,236
No matter. Aren't all battles
alike in being warlike?
8
00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,079
Battlefields are places of posterity,
9
00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:20,396
providing history for pupils.
10
00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:24,995
"Auvergne, the enemy's coming. "
"My kingdom for a horse. "
11
00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:26,633
"Kiss me, Hardy. "
12
00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:28,068
"Shoot, gentlemen. "
13
00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,396
Death but no surrender.
14
00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,672
Louis XV speaking borrowed words.
15
00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:37,316
Louis XV the Beloved,
with his many favourites.
16
00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,239
He may sometimes lose his hat,
17
00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,591
but never his head.
18
00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:48,349
With roses on their guns
and smiles on their lips,
19
00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:53,197
the regiments of Picardy, Aquitaine
and Burgundy fought elegantly,
20
00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:55,151
killing with grace
21
00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,032
and disembowelling with style.
22
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Choreographed like a ballet,
23
00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,118
this was the Lace War.
24
00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:11,238
His Majesty's soldiers
found this war so amusing
25
00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,510
...
