On 2 November 1755, at half past eight in the evening, the future Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, was born. She was the 15th child of Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. It was announced that “Her Majesty has been happily delivered of a small but completely healthy Archduchess.” As [read more]
Marie Antoinette’s unpopularity largely stemmed from her extravagance, and she had been largely popular when she arrived in France in 1770. Her so-called frivolity began when she was still in a precarious relationship with her husband. As their marriage remained unconsummated and Marie Antoinette endured the taunts of the court, she only saw one way [read more]
In February 1781, Marie Antoinette realised she might be pregnant again. In the middle of March, she wrote to Madame de Mackau, “I am going to cause further bother because I am enceinte. I assure you that in spite of my joy, I regret the increase in your trouble.” She had given birth to Marie-Thérèse, [read more]
As the news of Marie Antoinette’s execution spread across Europe, reactions poured in. Her niece Archduchess Marianne, the daughter of Emperor Leopold II, who had been born the day Marie Antoinette left for France, wrote to the Bishop of Nancy, “Monseigneur, I heard of the unfortunate Queen’s death in some black-sealed letters I received from [read more]
Just after midnight on 16 October 1793, her defence council was finally allowed to do its job. Her two defence councillors, Chauveau-Lagarde and Tronçon-Ducoudray, quickly discussed their strategy, and it was decided that Chauveau-Lagarde would focus on her alleged conspiracy with the foreign powers while Tronçon-Ducoudray would focus on alleged conspiracy with enemies within France. [read more]
On 15 October 1783, Marie Antoinette was taken to the Tribunal Hall shortly before 8 a.m. She wore the same dress as the day before. Once again, witnesses were called, but this time, Marie Antoinette was given a more comfortable chair. She tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair, which gave an “appearance [read more]
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