King Of France Louis Xvi

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French royalty, a member of the Bourbon family, called Louis the Martyr. The grandson of Louis XV, he was heir to the throne from the time he was age 11 and his education was gravely neglected. He enjoyed hunting but was shy and reserved in his public role. He lacked polish, was weak in character and mentally dull. He was despised at court and considered politically ignorant. Though his intentions were good, he was more interested in hunting than in public affairs He married Marie Antoinette in 1770 and four years later, acquired the throne upon his grandfather's death, 5/10/1774. Their life style was extravagant and they ruled a corrupt court, more involved in social and political intrigues than in sound government. When the French Revolution began, Louis pretended to sympathize but actually, influenced by his wife, he opposed it. He was forced to flee to the Tuileries palace in Paris in October 1789 when radicals seized control of the government. They were virtual prisoners for the following three years. In August 1792, rioters seized the Tuileries and murdered the Swiss guard. The National Convention deposed the king and declared France a Republic. Louis was charged with treason in January 1793 and sent to the guillotine in Paris 1/21/1793, 10:20 AM LMT. In perhaps his most noble hour, he left the prison at 9:00 AM, walking to the guillotine with a firm step. He spoke to the people, "I die innocent." Any further words were lost in the noise and clamor; they tied him down and put him to the blade. Link to Wikipedia biography