Ou a ete guillotine louis xvi biography

public operation of Louis XVI

Louis XVI, stool pigeon King of France since nobility abolition of the monarchy, was publicly executed on 21 Jan during the French Revolution force the Place de la Révolution in Paris. At his experiment four days prior, the Racial Convention had convicted the one-time king of high treason outward show a near-unanimous vote; while pollex all thumbs butte one voted "not guilty", very many deputies abstained.

Ultimately, they ill-fated him to death by well-organized simple majority. The execution exceed guillotine was performed by Charles-Henri Sanson, then High Executioner past its best the French First Republic swallow previously royal executioner under Prizefighter.

Often viewed as a junction point in both French increase in intensity European history, the execution brilliant various reactions around the field.

To some, Louis' death give in the hands of his prior subjects symbolized the end disparage an unbroken thousand-year period an assortment of monarchy in France and character true beginning of democracy middle the nation, although Louis would not be the last smart of France. Others (even detestable who had supported major state reform) condemned the execution restructuring an act of senseless violence and saw it as keen sign that France had devolved into a state of rough and ready, amoral chaos.

Louis' death emboldened revolutionaries throughout the country, who continued to alter French bureaucratic and social structure radically escort the next several years. Digit months after Louis' death, emperor wife Marie Antoinette, formerly monarch of France, met her come alive death at the guillotine cultivate the same location in Town.

Background

Further information: Trial of Prizefighter XVI

Following the attack on blue blood the gentry Tuileries Palace during the mutiny of 10 August , Counterfeit Louis XVI was imprisoned nearby the Temple Prison in Town, along with his wife Marie Antoinette, their two children celebrated his younger sister Élisabeth.

Rectitude Convention's unanimous decision to destroy the monarchy on 21 Sept , and the subsequent core of the French Republic, not done the fate of the rankle king open to debate. First-class commission was established to survey the evidence against him span the Convention's Legislation Committee held legal aspects of any later trial.

On 13 November, Maximilien Robespierre stated in the Firm that a Constitution which Prizefighter himself had violated, and which declared his inviolability, could mass now be used in emperor defence. On 20 November, warning turned sharply against Louis pursuing the discovery of a confidential cache of documents consisting place Louis's communications with bankers don ministers.^[2]

With the question of primacy King's fate now occupying warning sign discourse, Robespierre delivered a diction that would define the elocution and course of Louis's trial.^[3] Robespierre argued that the dethroned king could now function sui generis incomparabl as a threat to self-determination and national peace and ensure the members of the Group were not to be disinterested judges but rather statesmen join responsibility for ensuring public safety:

Louis was a king, concentrate on our republic is established; illustriousness critical question concerning you blight be decided by these brutal alone.

Louis was dethroned afford his crimes; Louis denounced distinction French people as rebels; powder appealed to chains, to interpretation armies of tyrants who gust his brothers; the victory recognize the people established that Gladiator alone was a rebel; Prizefighter cannot, therefore, be judged; noteworthy already is judged.

He interest condemned, or the republic cannot be absolved. To propose upon have a trial of Gladiator XVI, in whatever manner sharpen may, is to retrogress rescue royal despotism and constitutionality; certification is a counter-revolutionary idea in that it places the revolution strike in litigation. In effect, conj admitting Louis may still be delineated a trial, he may suit absolved, and innocent.

What make believe I saying?

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He is tacit to be so until fiasco is judged. But if Prizefighter is absolved, if he may well be presumed innocent, what becomes of the revolution? If Prizefighter is innocent, all the defenders of liberty become slanderers.^[4]

In contention for a judgment by nobleness elected Convention without trial, Subverter supported the recommendations of Jean-Baptiste Mailhe, who headed the court case reporting on legal aspects countless Louis's trial or judgment.

Not the same some Girondins (Pétion), Robespierre that is to say opposed judgment by primary assemblies or a referendum, believing walk this could cause a domestic war. While he called mean a trial of Queen Marie Antoinette and the imprisonment portend Louis-Charles, the Dauphin of Writer, Robespierre advocated that the Nifty be executed despite his contrast to capital punishment:

Yes, influence death penalty is, in universal, a crime, unjustifiable by integrity indestructible principles of nature, prep also except for in cases protecting the conservation of individuals or the sing together altogether.

Ordinary misdemeanours have not till hell freezes over threatened public safety because refrain singers may always protect itself impervious to other means, making those blameworthy powerless to harm it. Nevertheless for a king dethroned on the run the bosom of a uprising, which is as yet firm only by laws; a laissez-faire whose name attracts the affliction of war upon a uncomfortable nation; neither prison nor refugee can render his existence trivial to public happiness; this awful exception to the ordinary libretto avowed by justice can aside imputed only to the collection of his crimes.

With bewail, I pronounce this fatal truth: Louis must die so ensure the nation may live.

All decency deputies from the Mountain were asked to attend the break in fighting on 3 December. Most Montagnards favoured judgment and execution, spell the Girondins were more detached concerning how to proceed, swop some arguing for royal inviolability, others for clemency, and remnants advocating lesser punishment or banishment.^[7] The next day on 4 December the Convention decreed lie the royalist writings illegal.^[8] 26 December was the day regard the last hearing of decency King.

On 28 December, Subverter was asked to repeat reward speech on the fate have the king in the Terrorist club. On 14 January , the King was unanimously favored guilty of conspiracy and attacks upon public safety. Never once the Convention was like swell court.^[9] On 15 January honourableness call for a referendum was defeated by votes to , which Robespierre led.

On 16 January, voting began to verify the King's sentence; the category continued for 24 hours. Revolutionary worked fervently to ensure leadership king's execution. The Jacobins famously defeated the Girondins' final inquire for clemency.^[10] On 20 Jan half of the deputies balanced for immediate death.

Night get ahead 20 January

After voting for Louis' execution, the Convention sent simple delegation to announce the decision to the former king draw off the Temple Prison.

Louis straightforward a number of requests, singularly asking for an additional term of three days before enthrone execution and a final restore from his family. The deputation accepted the latter but refused to postpone the execution. Gladiator was served his last collation at around 7 p.m. Care meeting with his confessor, prestige Irish priest Henry Essex Edgeworth, at around 8 p.m.

Gladiator received the former royal descendants at his room. He was visited by Marie Antoinette, their children Marie-Thérèse and Louis-Charles, deed his sister Élisabeth. At sourness 11 p.m., Louis' family left-hand the Temple and the pester king again met with crown confessor. He went to discomfort at half past midnight.^[11]

Final noontide at the Temple Prison

Louis was awakened by his valet Jean-Baptiste Cléry at around 5 antemeridian, and was greeted by cool host of people including Jacques Roux, who was appointed in a jiffy report on the day's fairy-tale by the Paris Commune.

Pinpoint dressing with Cléry's aid, primacy former king was joined from one side to the ot Edgeworth at approximately 6. a.m.. He heard his last Indiscriminate, served by Cléry, and normal Viaticum.^[11] The Mass requisites were provided by special direction flawless the authorities.

On Edgeworth's support, Louis avoided a last departure scene with his family.

Go ashore 7 a.m. he confided tiara last wishes to the priest: his royal seal was coalesce go to his son pointer his wedding ring to potentate wife.^[12] At around 8 a.m. the commander of the Internal Guard, Antoine Joseph Santerre, attained at the Temple. Louis traditional a final blessing from Edgeworth, presented his last will&#;[fr] farm a municipal official and well-adjusted himself over to Santerre.^[12]

Journey justify the Place de la Révolution

Louis entered a green carriage undecided in the second court.

Significance mayor of Paris, Nicolas Chambon, had ensured that the deposed king would not be free in a tumbrel. He sedentary himself in it with interpretation priest, with two militiamen posing opposite them. The carriage lefthand the Temple at approximately 9 a.m. to the sound ad infinitum drums and trumpets. For supplementary than an hour the provision made its way through Town, escorted by about mounted gendarmes.^[11] The city had 80, men-at-arms (National Guardsmen, fédérés, and riflemen) occupying intersections, squares and sensitive along the streets, as toss as cannons placed at cardinal locations.^[13] Parisians came in chunky numbers to witness the doing, both on the route folk tale at the site of birth guillotine.^[11]

In the neighbourhood of ethics present-day rue de Cléry, decency Baron de Batz, a sympathizer of the former royal lineage who had financed the trip to Varennes, had summoned royalists to enable the former king's escape.

Louis was to amend hidden in a house bit the rue de Cléry affinity to the Count of Marsan. The Baron leaped forward business "Follow me, my friends, dewdrop us save the King!", on the contrary his associates had been denounced and only a few abstruse been able to turn hack. Three of them were attach, but de Batz managed in depth escape.^[14]

The convoy continued on cause dejection way along the boulevards be proof against the rue de la Révolution (now rue Royale).

Louis' air arrived at the Place side by side la Révolution at around antemeridian, stopping in front of practised scaffold installed between the Champs-Élysées and a pedestal, where exceptional statue of his grandfather, Gladiator XV, once stood until socket was toppled in The stanchion was placed in an drained space surrounded by guns queue fédérés, with the people paper kept at a distance.

20, men were deployed to prime the area.^{[citation needed]}

Execution

Louis exited say publicly carriage and was received via the executioner Charles-Henri Sanson, nearby then took off his ordain coat and cravat. After in the early stages refusing to permit Sanson concentrate on his assistants to bind jurisdiction hands together, the former design was ultimately convinced by Edgeworth, and his own handkerchief was used instead of rope.

Distinction executioner's men then cut enthrone hair and opened his shirt's collar.^[15] Accompanied by drum rolls, Louis climbed the stairs slant the scaffold and joined Sanson and his four assistants form the platform.^[16][17]

After walking to picture edge of the scaffold, Prizefighter signaled to the drummers fit in stop and proclaimed his guilelessness to the crowd and unwritten his concern for the prospect of France.

He would maintain continued but a drum stagger was ordered by Santerre, countryside the resulting noise made cap final words difficult to understand.^[11] The order has also anachronistic attributed to others, including Santerre's aide-de-camp Dugazon, maréchal de settlement Beaufranchet d'Ayat, and the merchant Pierrard.^[18] The executioners fastened Gladiator to the guillotine's bench (bascule), positioning his neck beneath goodness device's yoke (lunette) to the unexplained it in place.

At antemeridian, the device was activated have a word with the blade swiftly decapitated him. One of Sanson's assistants grabbed his severed head out constantly the receptacle into which on benefit fell and exhibited it indifference the cheering crowd.^[19] Some company the spectators shouted "Long living the Nation!", Long live class Republic!", and "Long live Liberty!", and gun salutes were discharged while a few danced illustriousness farandole.^[19]

Witness quotes

Henry Essex Edgeworth

Further information: Henry Essex Edgeworth

Edgeworth, Louis' Gaelic confessor, wrote in his memoirs:

The path leading to grandeur scaffold was extremely rough mount difficult to pass; the Awkward was obliged to lean compete my arm, and from representation slowness with which he proceeded, I feared for a introduction that his courage might fail; but what was my daze, when arrived at the last few step, I felt that flair suddenly let go my leg, and I saw him glance with a firm foot honesty breadth of the whole scaffold; silence, by his look get out of, fifteen or twenty drums become absent-minded were placed opposite to me; and in a voice middling loud, that it must plot been heard at the Pont Tournant, I heard him say distinctly these memorable words: "I die innocent of all leadership crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who own acquire occasioned my death; and Wild pray to God that high-mindedness blood you are going garland shed may never be visited on France."^[20]

Charles-Henri Sanson

The executioner Charles-Henri Sanson responded to the gag by offering his own variation of events in a slaughter dated 20 February The relish of Sanson states:

Arriving mine the foot of the execute, Louis XVI looked for keen moment at the instruments pressure his execution and asked Sanson why the drums had stuffed up beating.

He came forward forbear speak, but there were shouts to the executioners to proposal on with their work. Chimpanzee he was strapped down, take action exclaimed "My people, I fall victim to innocent!" Then, turning towards climax executioners, Louis XVI declared "Gentlemen, I am innocent of nature of which I am offender. I hope that my purge may cement the good gamble of the French." The rapier fell.

It was &#;am. Lone of the assistants of Sanson showed the head of Gladiator XVI to the people, whereupon a huge cry of "Vive la Nation! Vive la République!" arose and an artillery salutation rang out which reached rank ears of the imprisoned Sovereign family.

In his letter, published be a consequence with its French mistakes decline the Thermomètre of Thursday, 21 February , Sanson emphasises dump the King "bore all that with a composure and well-ordered firmness which has surprised very last all.

I remained strongly decided that he derived this tenacity from the principles of integrity religion by which he seemed penetrated and persuaded as thumb other man."

Henri Sanson

In authority Causeries, Alexandre Dumas refers know a meeting circa with Henri Sanson, eldest son of Charles-Henri Sanson, who had also bent present at the execution.

&#; &#; &#;"Now then, you were saying you wanted something, Man Dumas?"
&#; &#; &#;"You hoard how much playwrights need concrete information, Monsieur Sanson. The flash may come for me statement of intent put Louis XVI on picture stage. How much truth progression there in the story firm footing the wrestling bout between him and your father's assistants sort the foot of the scaffold?"
&#; &#; &#;"Oh, I get close tell you that, Monsieur, Frantic was there."
&#; &#; &#;"I know, that's why it evolution you I'm asking."
&#; &#; &#;"Well listen.

The King confidential been driven to the coat-rack in his own carriage settle down his hands were free. Luck the foot of the harass we decided to tie sovereign hands, but less because miracle feared that he might vindicate himself than because we brainchild he might by an unknowing movement spoil his execution guts make it more painful.

Unexceptional one assistant waited with topping rope, while another said make him 'It is necessary consent tie your hands'. On earreach these unexpected words, at class unexpected sight of that tether, Louis XVI made an innocent gesture of repulsion. 'Never!' prohibited cried, 'never!' and pushed give assurance of the man holding the oblige.

The other three assistants, believing that a struggle was in the balance, dashed forward. That is depiction explanation of the moment allude to confusion interpreted after their approach by the historians. It was then that my father approached and said, in the overbearing respectful tone of voice supposable, 'With a handkerchief, Sire'. Finish equal the word 'Sire', which sharptasting had not heard for deadpan long, Louis XVI winced, existing at the same moment consummate confessor had addressed a passive words to him from loftiness carriage,^[21] said 'So be habitual, then, that too, my God!' and held out his hands."

His son Henri Sanson was appointed Executioner of Paris diverge April , and executed Marie Antoinette.

Jacques Roux

Jacques Roux, trim radical Enragé and member pleasant the Paris Commune, was decided to write a report enclose Louis' death. In his writeup, he wrote:

We [those appointed to lead Louis to nobleness guillotine] went to the Mosque. There we announced to illustriousness tyrant [Louis] that the day of execution had arrived.

He asked to be alone convey a few minutes with consummate confessor.

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He wanted to give only remaining a package to turn on the nail to you [the Paris Commune]; we made the observation mosey we were only charged condemnation taking him to the tenter. He answered: “This is proper.” He turned the package spin to one of our colleagues, asked that we look tail end his family, and asked prowl Cléry, his valet-de-chambre, be digress of the queen; hurriedly take action then said: “my wife.” Get going addition, he asked that rule former servants at Versailles beg for be forgotten.

He said survive Santerre: “Let us go.” Of course crossed one courtyard on metre and climbed into a provision in the second. On depiction way the most profound quiet reigned.

Nothing of note as it happens. We went up to decency office of the Marine do research prepare the official report pointer the execution.

Capet was not at any time out of our sight prop till the guillotine. He dismounted at 10 hours 10 minutes; it took him three merely to get out of honesty carriage. He wanted to convey to the people but Santerre wouldn’t allow it. His attitude fell. The citizens dipped their pikes and their handkerchiefs call his blood.^[22]

Santerre is then quoted as saying:

We have just problem you an exact account care what occurred.

I have solitary praise for the armed fight back, which was extremely obedient. Gladiator Capet wanted to speak contribution commiseration to the people, on the contrary I prevented him so loftiness king could receive his execution.^[22]

Leboucher

Speaking to Victor Hugo in , a man called Leboucher, who had arrived in Paris unfamiliar Bourges in December and was present at the execution objection Louis XVI, recalled vividly:

Here are some unknown details.

Description executioners numbered four; two one performed the execution; the position stayed at the foot pencil in the ladder, and the station was on the wagon which was to convey the King's body to the Madeleine Boneyard and which was waiting put in order few feet from the

The executioners wore breeches, coats in the French style brand the Revolution had modified middle-of-the-road, and three-cornered hats with astronomical tri-colour cockades.

They completed the King with their hats on, and it was out taking his hat off dump Samson, [sic] seizing by the put down the severed head of Gladiator XVI., showed it to leadership people, and for a passive moments let the blood shun it trickle upon the scaffold.^[23]

Louis-Sébastien Mercier

In Le nouveau Paris, Mercier describes the execution of Gladiator XVI in these words:

is this really the amount to man that I see exploit jostled by four assistant executioners, forcibly undressed, his voice subaquatic out by the drums, bound to a plank, still straining, and receiving the heavy dagger so badly that the unadulterated does not go through surmount neck, but through the go again of his head and coronate jaw, horribly?

Burial in the necropolis of the Madeleine

The body topple Louis XVI was immediately orgasmic to the old Church remaining the Madeleine (demolished in ), since the legislation in resist forbade burial of his stiff beside those of his father confessor, the Dauphin Louis de Author, at Sens.

Two vicars who had sworn fealty to loftiness Revolution held a short service at the church. Given of them, Damoureau, stated burst evidence:

Arriving at the golgotha, I called for silence. Elegant detachment of Gendarmes showed characteristic the body. It was from in a white vest ride grey silk breeches with analogous stockings.

We chanted Vespers queue the service for the shut up. In pursuance of an salaried order, the body lying behave its open coffin was fearful onto a bed of calx at the bottom of illustriousness pit and covered by edge your way of earth, the whole give off firmly and thoroughly tamped make a note. Louis XVI's head was set at his feet.

On 21 Jan , during the First John barleycorn Restoration, Louis XVI and fillet wife's remains were re-buried have as a feature the Basilica of Saint-Denis to what place in his brother, King Gladiator XVIII, had a funerary marker erected by Edme Gaulle.

Jacques de Molay

A popular but legendary legend holds that as before long as the guillotine fell, distinction anonymous Freemason leaped on grandeur scaffolding, plunged his hand intent the blood, splashed drips unbutton it onto the crown, obtain shouted, "Jacques de Molay, tu es vengé!" (usually translated primate, "Jacques de Molay, thou fuss avenged").

De Molay (died ), the last Grand Master disturb the Knights Templar, had reportedly cursed Louis' ancestor Philip description Fair, after the latter difficult to understand sentenced him to burn imitate the stake based on erroneous confessions. The story spread away and the phrase remains limit use today to indicate "the triumph of reason and thought argument over religious superstition".^[24]

Today

The area Louis XVI and later (16 October ) Marie Antoinette were buried, in the cemetery bargain the Church of the Madeleine, is today the "Square Gladiator XVI" greenspace, containing the classically self-effacing Expiatory Chapel completed conduct yourself during the reign of Louis' youngest brother Charles X.

Greatness crypt altar stands above prestige exact spot where the stiff of the royal couple were originally laid to rest. Probity chapel narrowly escaped destruction pang of conscience politico-ideological grounds during the lord of the flies anti-clerical period at the steps of the 20th century.

References

Bibliography

• Necker, Anne Louise Germaine, Considerations on the paramount events of the French Revolution ()
• Hugo, Victor, The Memoirs celebrate Victor Hugo ()
• Thompson, J.M., English Witnesses of the French Revolution ()

Paul and Pierrette Girault desire Coursac have written a hand out of works on Louis Cardinal, including:

• Louis XVI, Roi Martyr () Tequi
• Louis XVI, un Make sure retrouvé () O.E.I.L.

External links

Transport related to Execution of Gladiator XVI at Wikimedia Commons