Marie Antoinette's Last Words Before Her Execution Were Unexpectedly Cordial

Marie Antoinette's Last Words Before Her Execution Were Unexpectedly Cordial

 

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By Anna Robinson

Grunge, July 23, 2022

 

There are many revolutions recorded throughout history: The American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the Arab Spring, and the Chinese Communist Revolution, just to name a few. Another revolution that makes it into most history books worldwide is the French Revolution. According to Britannica, it was one of the most violent revolutions of its time period. It was caused by a perfect storm of problems: Financial issues due to preceding wars, high-class (bourgeoisie) French citizens frustrated by political exclusion, lower-class citizens wanting to end the feudal system, food shortages, and new ideas stemming from philosophers all across Europe led to an uproar in France. Meetings among government leaders, aristocrats, and notables from the bourgeoisie didn't produce results to ease the tension.

 

 

Some deputies representing commoners created their own organization. King Louis XVI convinced those representing clergy and nobles to join the new National Constituent Assembly but prepared troops against it, according to Britannica. This assembly did away with the feudal system and allowed for more voting eligibility among citizens.

 

Meanwhile, food supplies continued to dwindle. On July 14, 1789, Parisians rioted at the Bastille, a prison that they viewed as a symbol of the monarchy. July 14 is known as Bastille Day in France.

The royal family was imprisoned during the revolution

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The National Constituent Assembly tried to create a government wherein the king or monarch could share power with such an assembly, but King Louis XVI's advisors had their own ideas. War also broke out between France, Austria, and Austria's ally Prussia. King Louis XVI's wife Marie Antoinette, who was born in Austria, suggested that her brother, Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II, invade France to help counter the revolution. That did not happen and the royal family was imprisoned in 1792. By the end of that year, another assembly formed called the National Convention and planned to end the monarchy in France. The new assembly charged the king with treason and beheaded him with the guillotine in January 1793 (via Britannica).

 

 

The assembly leaders moved Marie Antoinette to the Conciergerie, a large complex along the Seine River in Paris. According to the Conciergerie's website, she was separated from her family and isolated from other prisoners. Two months later, the National Convention accused Antoinette of financial squandering, treachery, and even incest with her son, Louis XVII. Despite her emotional appeals to the citizens, she was executed in the same way as her husband King Louis XVI at Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Marie Antoinette was beheaded in 1793

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Marie Antoinette remained calm when she was taken to the guillotine on October 16, 1793. According to World History, her last words were directed toward her executioner, after she accidentally stepped on his foot: "Pardon, monsieur. I did not do it on purpose," Antoinette said.

 

There is another quote more commonly associated with Antoinette, however. As previously mentioned, failed crops caused food shortages among French citizens in the years leading up to the deaths of Antoinette and the king. A rumor spread that upon being informed about starving citizens, Antoinette replied, "Let them eat cake." Such a statement enraged her subjects as they pictured her luxurious life in comparison to their struggles. But multiple historians believe this to be out of character for the queen, as she held charitable causes in high regard throughout her life. The phrase had also already existed before Antoinette supposedly said it. Other historical figures have been attached to similar statements as well (per History). Perhaps Antoinette's cordial, gentle last words are more reflective of her personality and legacy than "let them eat cake."