French revolution journal entry
Execution of Marie Antoinette
On 2nd August 1793, Marie arrived at the Conciergerie temple at around 03.00. Her husband had been executed several months ag, and it seemed likely that the same would happen to him. She was then escorted to a cell inside the prison, where she was held until her trial begun (Crawford, 2019). However, the prison wardens who were guarding her were known to be respectful to their prisoners, and they took considerable risks to provide Marie with small comforts such as a pillow. At some stages, the queen is seen to have planned to escape from the cell, but the plan failed. On 21st September, following the Carnation Affair, her prison wardens were replaced because of the role they played during the failed escape. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Marie’s indication started on 14th October 1793 and was accused of treason. Her second day in court on 16th October 1793. The queen spent the last 10 weeks of her life in Conciergerie, and her incarceration was nearly coming to an end. The jury delivered their judgement at 4.30 where she was sentenced to death by guillotine (Grant, 2018). Marie never uttered a single word when this judgement was delivered. After the guards returned her into her cell, she asked for a paper and pen, where she penned down a letter to the late king’s sister known as Elisabeth. She kissed every page of her letter and handed it over to warden Bault. However, the letter was confiscated and taken to Fouquier-Tnvilleand, and Elisabeth never received it. At 11 am, on 16th October 1793, executioner Sanson availed himself. According to Madame Bault, the executioner cut the queens hair and placed the locks of hair in his pocket. Marie was moved to the guillotine at the place de la Revolution at about 12.30 pm. Her head was cut off by the executioner ending her life instantly.
References
Crawford, K. (2019). Marie-Antoinette’s Darkest Days: Prisoner No. 280 in the Conciergerie by Will Bashor. Early Modern Women, 13(2), 88-90.
Grant, S. (2018). Female Portraiture and Patronage in Marie Antoinette’s Court: The Princesse de Lamballe. Routledge.