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Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 3

by Mme. Campan (1752–1822)

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  • 2 hours to read
  • 5 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 3" by Mme. Campan is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This volume provides a detailed glimpse into the inner workings of the French court during the reign of Louis XVI, focusing on Marie Antoinette's experiences and challenges as queen, as well as key events and personalities of the time. The memoir illustrates the complexities of Marie Antoinette's life, including her relationships, the intrigues at court, and her efforts to navigate her position amidst the French Revolution's growing unrest. The opening of this volume reveals several significant aspects of court life during the early years of Louis XVI's reign. It includes the king's examination of historical documents, addressing inquiries about the enigmatic "man in the iron mask," and highlights Marie Antoinette's growing influence over her husband, the king's initial indifference and later affection towards her, as well as her efforts to support the daughters of Louis XV. Additionally, the chapter explores early public perceptions of the Queen, including her popularity at playhouse performances, her devotion to the care of her household staff's children, and the criticisms and rivalry she faced—particularly stemming from her Austrian heritage. The narrative sets the stage for understanding the evolving dynamics of power, public sentiment, and personal relationships within the tumultuous atmosphere leading up to the French Revolution.

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  • France · Court and courtiers
  • Marie Antoinette, Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France, 1755-1793

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Chapter VI

During the first few months of his reign Louis XVI. dwelt at La Muette, Marly, and Compiegne. When settled at Versailles he occupied himself with a general examination of his grandfather's papers. He had promised the Queen to communicate to her all that he might discover relative to the history of the man with the iron mask, who, he thought, had become so inexhaustible a source of conjecture only in consequence of the interest which the pen of a celebrated writer had excited respecting the detention of a prisoner of State, who was merely a man of whimsical tastes and habits.

I was with the Queen when the King, having finished his researches, informed her that he had not found anything among the secret papers elucidating the existence of this prisoner; that he had conversed on the matter with M. de Maurepas, whose age made him contemporary with the epoch during which the story must have been known to the ministers; and that M. de Maurepas had assured him he was merely a prisoner of a very dangerous character, in consequence of his disposition for intrigue. He was a subject of the Duke of Mantua, and was enticed to the frontier, arrested there, and kept prisoner, first at Pignerol, and afterwards in the Bastille. This transfer took place in consequence of the appointment of the governor of the former place to the government of the latter. It was for fear the prisoner should profit by the inexperience of a new governor that he was sent with the Governor of Pignerol to the Bastille.

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Contents

  1. Volume 3
  2. Chapter VI
  3. Chapter VII
  4. Chapter VIII
  5. Chapter IX
  6. Chapter X

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About this edition

This free edition of Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 3 by Mme. Campan comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #3886, released 2004-12-04. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Biographies, French Literature, History - European, History - Modern (1750+), History - Royalty.

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