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Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 5

by Mme. Campan (1752–1822)

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  • 1 hour to read
  • 4 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 5" by Mme. Campan is a historical account likely written in the early 19th century. This volume recounts the tumultuous events surrounding the French Revolution from the perspective of Marie Antoinette’s First Lady in Waiting, offering insight into the Queen’s experiences and the mounting political unrest in France. It chronicles the intricate dynamics at court, the challenges faced by the monarchy, and the profound emotional turmoil experienced by Marie Antoinette amidst the rising tide of revolution. At the start of this volume, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of significant historical events, such as the oath taken at the Tennis Court and the ensuing royal assembly. The opening scenes depict the Queen's strong emotional responses to political maneuvers, particularly regarding M. Necker’s actions and the increasing animosity toward the royal family. Mme. Campan portrays the escalating tensions of a nation in turmoil, as seen through the uneasy interactions between the Queen and the populace. This portion sets the stage for the dramatic and tragic events that will unfold, revealing the deep loyalty of the Queen's supporters, her personal relationships, and the impending challenges that threaten the monarchy’s survival.

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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 I

The ever-memorable oath of the States General, taken at the Tennis Court of Versailles, was followed by the royal sitting of the 23d of June. In this seance the King declared that the Orders must vote separately, and threatened, if further obstacles were met with, to himself act for the good of the people. The Queen looked on M. Necker's not accompanying the King as treachery or criminal cowardice: she said that he had converted a remedy into poison; that being in full popularity, his audacity, in openly disavowing the step taken by his sovereign, had emboldened the factious, and led away the whole Assembly; and that he was the more culpable inasmuch as he had the evening before given her his word to accompany the King. In vain did M. Necker endeavour to excuse himself by saying that his advice had not been followed.

Soon afterwards the insurrections of the 11th, 12th, and 14th of July—[The Bastille was taken on the 14th July, 1789.]—opened the disastrous drama with which France was threatened. The massacre of M. de Flesselles and M. de Launay drew bitter tears from the Queen, and the idea that the King had lost such devoted subjects wounded her to the heart.

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Contents

  1. Book 2
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III
  5. Chapter IV

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About this edition

This free edition of Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 5 by Mme. Campan comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #3888, 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, History - Other, History - European, History - Modern (1750+), History - Royalty.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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