I've always thought that the most needless of the royal executions was that of Madame Elisabeth, Louis XVI's youngest sister, who played no political role and was not in the line of succession. Great piece!
Revolutionary justice becomes more savage the more successfully it severs connection with the past. Charles 1 had something like a trial and spoke directly in his own defence.
I appreciate not only your excellent analysis and presentation, but also the fact that you mention the most important sources available in English. Thank you very much!
By the end ofnthis moving essay, I could not help but think that we in the US dodged a bullet with the 2024 election. It is easy to see the regime nouveau have the same disregard for the rule of law and justice.
“It is to France alone, I know, that the United States of America owe that support which enabled them to shake off the unjust and tyrannical yoke of Britain. The ardor and zeal which she displayed to provide both men and money, were the natural consequence of a thirst for liberty. But as the nation at that time, restrained by the shackles of her own government, could only act by the means of a monarchical organ, this organ-whatever in other respects the object might be-certainly performed a good, a great action.
“Let then those United States be the safeguard and asylum of Louis Capet. There, hereafter, far removed from the miseries and crimes of loyalty, he may learn, from the constant aspect of public prosperity, that the true system of government consists not in kings, but in fair, equal and honorable representation.”
- Thomas Paine, to the French National Convention, 1793
Cool quote from Chateaubriand!
I've always thought that the most needless of the royal executions was that of Madame Elisabeth, Louis XVI's youngest sister, who played no political role and was not in the line of succession. Great piece!
Revolutionary justice becomes more savage the more successfully it severs connection with the past. Charles 1 had something like a trial and spoke directly in his own defence.
I believe that the regicides had the fence in front of the Banqueting Hall moved back so that the crowd could not hear the King’s final speech.
I appreciate not only your excellent analysis and presentation, but also the fact that you mention the most important sources available in English. Thank you very much!
Fantastic piece. Thank you! Very informative.
Thx! Much appreciated
I’m in the midst of reading the marvelously level-headed memoirs of Madame de la Tour du Pin, and this really hits home.
Wonderful - thx much!
By the end ofnthis moving essay, I could not help but think that we in the US dodged a bullet with the 2024 election. It is easy to see the regime nouveau have the same disregard for the rule of law and justice.
By God's grace, we avoided that.
Interesting. Thanks for the Lesson.
Thx!
“It is to France alone, I know, that the United States of America owe that support which enabled them to shake off the unjust and tyrannical yoke of Britain. The ardor and zeal which she displayed to provide both men and money, were the natural consequence of a thirst for liberty. But as the nation at that time, restrained by the shackles of her own government, could only act by the means of a monarchical organ, this organ-whatever in other respects the object might be-certainly performed a good, a great action.
“Let then those United States be the safeguard and asylum of Louis Capet. There, hereafter, far removed from the miseries and crimes of loyalty, he may learn, from the constant aspect of public prosperity, that the true system of government consists not in kings, but in fair, equal and honorable representation.”
- Thomas Paine, to the French National Convention, 1793
Continued….Louis 16 had at least a sham trial. The Bolsheviks simply slaughtered the imperial family in secret.