The Bourbon Dynasty ruled France from 1589 to January, 21, 1793 when Louis XVI was guillotined. The next two decades saw the meteoric rise and fall of Napoleon. Foreign pressure restored them to power from 1814 to 1830, when the French people again drove them from power. The long-suffering French had had their fill of the Bourbons. History sums up their reign: "They learned nothing and forgot nothing."
Louis XIV spent billions building a magnificent palace, Versailles, while a million of his subjects died of starvation. Louis XV allowed his mistresses unrestricted use of public funds. Louis XVI was "a walking stomach" to his hungry subjects, because of his hedonistic life style.
When the people rioted, demanding bread, Louis hanged eight of the leaders. His Queen, Marie Antoinette, said "let them eat cake," when she heard about the bread riot. Her vanity and his gluttony led to their downfall.
The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789 with the storming of the Bastille to free political prisoners. Louis was not removed but placed under house arrest. His Austrian born queen plotted their escape. Four German regiments at Montmedy had promised them protection. Freedom was less than 200 miles away. Finally, Louis gave in. On the night of June 20, 1791, they disguised themselves as servants and fled the palace at 2 a.m. Her vanity complicated their escape. They were advised to travel in small, swift carriages, but as soon as they cleared Paris she insisted they switch to a large, elegant coach. It was more comfortable but slower. He made the next error. They arrived at Meaux, some 26 miles from Paris, shortly after dawn. The queen's maids joined the party there. Instead of continuing their flight, Louis stopped for a leisurely, three-hour brunch from hampers packed by the palace chef. They dined on Beef a la mode, peas, carrots in aspic, with a plethora of desserts, wines and cheeses. Those three hours were crucial.
Later, a wheel hit a bridge stone, breaking it. Another half-hour delay. Meanwhile, a loyal military escort waited for three hours at Pont de Sommes-Vesle. Fearing that the escape plot had been discovered, the commanding officer left. The only person to greet the tardy royal party was Leonard, the queen's hairdresser.
The bedraggled escapees stumbled into Varennes at 11 p.m. They were still 40 miles from safety. By this time, news of their flight had reached the village. They were recognized, arrested, and returned to Paris. And a strange historical incident happened when the king was imprisoned.
The famous American Revolutionary, Tom Paine, had come to France to see the French Revolution. His advice was sought on what to do with the prisoner. He suggested that Louis be sent to the United States where he would be rehabilitated by training to become a common citizen.
Instead, Louis was tried and executed on January 21, 1793. His queen was executed a few months later. Vain to the end, she changed into a white dress and high heeled slippers before leaving for the guillotine.
Louis would have loved Perfect French Fries. Try Them.
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1/4 cup margarine
Salt and pepper to taste
PREPARATION: Cut potatoes into half inch cubes, place in saucepan, cover with water. Bring to boil for 30 seconds. Drain. Melt half margarine in skillet or wok, over medium high heat. Add potatoes. Fry until brown, stirring in rest of the margarine. Potatoes will have a crisp outside with a very moist interior. Serve.
By Jeff Cheek
