Marie Antoinette Case

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was born on November 2, 1755, she was the youngest daughter of Francis Stephan and Maria Theresa, the Austrian Emperor and Empress of Austria. Marie grew up being told that her destiny was to become queen of France. She married the prince of France in 1770. She became queen a short 4 years later when her husband was crowned King Louis XVI. Upon her arrival to Versailles she was welcome with open arms. Marie Antoinette possessed a supreme charm which allowed her to bewitch those serving her, with just her smile. Marie became distracted with extravagent balls and bizarre fashions. The queen spent enormous amounts for her personal buildings. She had the Petit Trianon renovated to her taste in addition to having her exclusive theatre built.

The rumors of the queen's strange ways increased the French people's open criticism, and soon, hatred. This strongly contributed to the cause of the French Revolution. The people of france had been long awaiting a royal heir, at last the Marie gave birth to her daughter, Marie Therese Charlotte. Her daughter was born on December 19, 1778 after a death defying delivery. Marie's next son Louis Joseph died at a young age due to respiratory issues. After came Louis Charles who died later at the age of ten. Lastly the queen had Marie Sophie Elene who died of tuberculosis in her first year of life.

In 1789 a mob descended on the palace at Versailles and demanded the royal family to move into the uninhabited palace of Tuileries. From that point on the king and queen were treated as prisoners. Their lives seemed to be more and more in danger. On June 22, 1791, they decided to escape, 200 miles away from paris they were recognized and arrested. On Augusst 10, 1792, Marie and her family were arrested and imprisoned. A year later on January 21, 1793 Louis XVI was guillotined. The queen was seperated from her children,soon after her son died of malnutrition. Marie Therese, her first born daughter was the only family member to survive. Marie Antoinette was executed without proof of the crimes for which she was accused. On October 16, 1793 marie followed her husband to the guillotine at the age of 37.