  |
||||||||
|
|
This article is written in the form of a letter from a fictitious faithful nanny to her old friend after the execution of Marie Antoinette.
18 October 1793 My Dearest Anna, No doubt you have not heard as yet of the terrible circumstances that have befallen my Lady, the one I have served from the time she was a babe in arms. I have lost her to the blade of the guillotine! Even as I write, Marie, the wax modeler, is being forced to cast a hideous death mask of my Lady's face and make a wax figure of it. Oh, the callousness and cruelty of these times! I was with her as closely as the guards would allow until the very end. Forbid me not to secretly eulogize her memory in this letter to you, for no funeral will be taking place, no flowers will adorn her grave, and no tears will be spent, save her children's and my own. I fear for my own safety, yet at the same time, I am greatly saddened by the fact that she might ever be held in contempt. While I am still amongst the living, I must pass on these truths. I adjure you, Anna, to place this letter in safekeeping in the event that I might not see you again. My Lady, the Archduchess Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna, was born on November 2, 1755, in Vienna. She was the youngest daughter of Maria Theresa and the Emperor Franz Stephan, The Habsburgs of Austria. The world will remember her as Marie Antoinette. Her mother's goal was always to marry her to the future king of France to promote peace and stability between the two countries. However, the people of France hated her Austrian lineage. In the way of studies, little Maria Antonia did not have much desire to learn from the very beginning, but music was a strong point. She was acquainted with Mozart and played duets with him in the Palace of Schonbrunn. It is true, Anna, that Maria was interested in superficial amusements and fashion, but these are the faults of youth. She was only 14 years old when she was sent to the Palace of Versailles in 1770 to be married to the Dauphin Louis-Auguste. For seven years, he was unable to consummate his marriage to Marie Antoinette, but the people mocked and blamed her for failing to produce an heir.
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Sharon K. West's Historical Mysteries topic, please visit the Discussions page. |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
