Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Complete / Being the Historic Memoirs of Madam Campan, First Lady in Waiting to the Queen

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

3891

Title

Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Complete / Being the Historic Memoirs of Madam Campan, First Lady in Waiting to the Queen

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

First Lady in Waiting to Queen Marie Antoinette, Madame Campan offers an intimate, eyewitness account of the French court. This memoir details the Queen's domestic life, the King's timidity, and the terrifying final days at the Tuileries, providing a compassionate defense of a woman unjustly vilified by history.

Summary up to 500 words

Jeanne Louise Henriette Genet, known as Madame Campan, served as a trusted companion to the daughters of Louis XV and later as the First Lady in Waiting to Marie Antoinette. Her memoirs offer a firsthand account of the vibrant yet fragile atmosphere of Versailles, capturing the King's awkward shyness and the Queen's deep devotion to her husband despite his lack of political energy. Campan begins with her childhood memories of the assassination attempt on Louis XV, describing the confusion and grief that struck the royal household. As the Revolution intensifies, the narrative shifts to the growing paranoia and danger surrounding the Tuileries. Campan details the Queen's refusal to act politically, fearing that any intervention would turn her into a symbol of tyranny. She recounts the harrowing nights of July 1792, when mobs threatened the palace and the Queen slept with her children to protect them. A significant theme in the memoirs is the Queen's integrity; Campan reveals her refusal of vast sums of money offered by loyal subjects, highlighting her refusal to compromise her principles even as the monarchy crumbled. The narrative captures the flight of the royal family, their imprisonment, and the tragic execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Campan also covers the later exile of the royal family, their time in Scotland, and the death of the Duchesse d'Angouleme. Throughout, she defends the Queen's character against calumny, portraying her as a victim of circumstance and a woman of profound dignity who chose to share her husband's fate rather than seek safety through political maneuvering. Campan's work serves as a vital historical record, preserving the domestic life of an unfortunate Princess whose reputation was stained by the attacks of calumny. By drawing on her half-century of service, she provides a faithful portrait of the Reign of Terror, emphasizing the Queen's patience and her determination to endure calamity rather than contend.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History