 |
Charles XKing of France from 1824 to 1830
Date of Birth: 09.10.1757
Country:  France |
Content:
- Charles X: The Last Bourbon King of France
- Political Beliefs and the French Revolution
- Return to France
- Louis XVIII's Reign
- Reign as Charles X
- July Revolution and Exile
- Legacy
Charles X: The Last Bourbon King of France
Early Life and FamilyBorn on November 9, 1757, Charles was the younger brother of Louis XVI and the grandson of Louis XV. Known as the Count of Artois before his accession to the throne, Charles was a charismatic and active individual. He was well-educated and had a reputation for being a skilled orator.
Charles married Maria Theresa of Savoy in 1773, and they had four children: the Dukes of Angoulême and Berry and two daughters who died in infancy. However, Charles's marriage was unhappy, and he eventually separated from his wife. He became known for his love affairs, particularly with Marie Antoinette's lady-in-waiting, Madame de Polignac.
Political Beliefs and the French Revolution
Charles held strong conservative beliefs and opposed Enlightenment ideals. He was a vocal critic of Louis XVI's reforms and became the figurehead for the ultra-royalist movement. In 1789, he was accused of plotting against the revolutionary National Assembly, leading Louis XVI to ironically call him "more royalist than the king."
With the outbreak of the French Revolution, Charles fled into exile in Britain. He supported the counterrevolutionary efforts and became the King of France in exile after the death of Louis XVI and the execution of his son, Louis XVII.
Return to France
After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814, Charles returned to France and was joined by his brother, Louis XVIII. Charles played an active role in politics, serving as the President of the Council of Ministers from April to May 1814. However, he held conservative views that clashed with Louis XVIII's policies.
Louis XVIII's Reign
Louis XVIII was a constitutional monarch who made significant concessions to the revolutionary government. Charles, on the other hand, opposed these reforms and advocated for a return to pre-revolutionary traditions. The two brothers often disagreed on political matters.
In 1820, tragedy struck Charles when his son, the Duke of Berry, was assassinated by a radical. The duke's death left Charles's grandson, Henry, as the heir presumptive to the throne. However, the duke's wife was pregnant, and she gave birth to a son, Henry, who became known as the "Miracle Child."
Reign as Charles X
Following Louis XVIII's death in 1824, Charles ascended to the French throne as Charles X. He was crowned in an elaborate ceremony at Reims Cathedral, emphasizing the traditional authority of the monarchy. Charles's reign was marked by a return to conservative policies, including the restoration of the Jesuit order and the passage of laws against blasphemy and freedom of the press.
However, his reactionary policies alienated many French people, particularly the bourgeoisie and the working class. The country also faced economic challenges and political instability.
July Revolution and Exile
In 1830, Charles X ordered the closure of the Chamber of Deputies and the suspension of freedom of the press. This action sparked the July Revolution, a three-day uprising that forced Charles to abdicate the throne.
Charles fled into exile once again, this time to Austria. He lived in various castles until his death in 1836. With his abdication, the Bourbon dynasty lost its grip on France, and the country entered a new era under the rule of Louis-Philippe, the "Citizen King."
Legacy
Charles X was a controversial figure in French history. His conservative policies and role in the July Revolution have made him an object of criticism. However, his supporters have pointed to his personal qualities, his commitment to traditional values, and his patronage of the arts as evidence of his positive impact on French society.
