Page 66 - All About History 48 - 2017 UK

What if…

Louis XVI had survived

the Revolution?

Explore what could have happened if the royal family

had succeeded in their attempt to flee Paris

WrittenbyCatherineCurzon

n June 1791, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and From Austria, the birthplace of Marie Antoinette, figurehead for his cause and, with revolutionary
their children fled Paris by night as the flames of comes an offer of shelter but no military support. support dwindling outside the capital, the tide
revolution flared at the very door of the Tuileries Seeking to secure his future as the king of slowly turns in his favour. The battles are long,
Palace. Their destination was Montmédy, where France and with no intention of establishing a bloody and hard-fought but, with ambition and
Iroyalist officers waited to rally to the king’s court-in-exile, Louis rejects the offer. Instead he in-fighting eating away at the republican leaders, it
call. However, the escape attempt – the Flight to elects to remain in Montmédy with the counter- is the loyalists who ultimately claim the victory.
Varennes – failed, and arguably sealed the fate of revolutionary forces, planning his next move to Those revolutionary leaders who have survived
the royal family. Delayed by the king’s indecision retake France. are swiftly tried and sentenced to death, with the
and anxiety, the plan had been left too late. Louis In response to the king’s successful escape, actions of the people of the Vendée lauded as the
was recognised by postmaster Jean-Baptiste the Legislative Assembly declares the monarch touchpaper that sparked the eventual restoration.
Drouet and, on their arrival in Varennes, the family deposed. All too aware of the king’s support outside Triumphant, though no more skilled a politician
members were arrested and returned to Paris to major cities, the Assembly musters its military than he ever was, Louis surrounds himself with
meet their gruesome fate. forces, readying them to meet the oncoming trusted advisers including an ambitious soldier
Imagine a world then, where Drouet doesn’t counter attack. The fight back begins in 1793 when named Napoleon Bonaparte. In the years that
recognise the king, and the royals make good the uprising in the Vendée provides the flashpoint. follow, Bonaparte assumes a reputation as the
their audacious escape, meeting those faithful With republican forces focused on the region, the power behind the throne. He remains at the side of
soldiers who were waiting to serve them in time is right for an invasion of the king’s forces, the king and his successor, Louis XVII, becoming
Montmédy. Here, sheltered by loyalists and safe marching from Montmédy. Despite Louis’s pleas lauded as one of the most powerful politicians the
from persecution, the king galvanises his position for help, the forces of the Holy Roman Empire are French monarchy has ever seen.
and summons soldiers loyal to his cause. Those not at his side, occupied instead with holding back
who would one day join the Armée des Émigrés Russian expansion.
– counter-revolutionary armies raised outside Plunged into civil war, republicans and CATHERINE CURZON
of France – travel to Montmédy and declare monarchists battle as they had in England a A historian in the field of 18th-century
themselves the servants of the king. centurybefore.Yetthekingprovesapowerful royalty, Catherine Curzon is author of Life
In The Georgian Court. She has spoken at
venues including the Royal Pavilion, Dr
“Plunged into civil war, republicans and Johnson’s House and Lichfield Guildhall.
Catherine holds a master’s degree in Film
monarchists battle as they had in England a Studies and, when not dodging the furies
of the guillotine, she writes fiction set
deep in the underbelly of Georgian Britain. Her debut novel,
century before” The Crown Spire, is out now.

Howwoulditbe diff erent?

O Marriage of Napoleon O Marriage of Louis XVII and O Death of Louis XVI O The Battle of Vienna
and Marie Thérèse of France Catherine Pavlovna of Russia and accession of Louis XVII The Holy Roman Empire faces the
With his marriage to the daughter of Napoleon brokers the marriage of Louis XVII Exhausted by revolution and war, Louis threat of Russia and France head-on
Louis XVI, Napoleon cements his place and Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, cementing a XVI dies. Napoleon becomes a second when their forces march on Vienna.
at the heart of the house of Bourbon. powerful alliance between Russia and France, father to the young Louis XVII, wielding Emperor Francis II flees for Scandinavia
The marriage remains childless. leaving Austria sandwiched between the two. enormous influence over the new king. and the Holy Roman Empire collapses.
1800 1800 1808 1811
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