2020-10-17

Marie Antoinette guillotined 227 years ago

Marie Antoinette while Prisoner of the Revolutionary Tribunal    
Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna Habsburg-Lorraine aka Marie Antoinette of Austria, spouse of Louis XVI of France lost her head on this day 227 years ago during the French Revolution. She was the last queen of France prior to the French Revolution.

The French Revolution commenced in May of 1789 when the Ancien Régime was abolished in favor of a constitutional monarchy.

Its replacement in September 1792 by the First French Republic led to the Execution of Louis XVI in January 1793, and an extended period of political upheaval.

Marie Antoinette, youngest daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I became queen of france when her husgand, Louis-Auguste, heir apparent to the French throne ascended the throne as Louis XVI on May 10, 1774.

She was linked to various controversial events during her reign resulting in her conviction for high treason by the Revolutionary Tribunal, imprisonment, abolishment of the French monarchy, and execution of Louis XVI by guillotine on the Place de la Révolution.

Thus ended the French monarchy and began the Republic of France.