The King's Quarry: How Louis XVI Went from Hunter to Hunted
14 days ago
- #French Revolution
- #Royal Hunt
- #Louis XVI
- King Louis XVI's diary entry of 'rien' on July 14, 1789, is often cited as evidence of his disinterest in the French Revolution.
- Louis XVI's diary was actually a hunting journal, not a record of political events, explaining the lack of mention of the Bastille's storming.
- The royal hunt was a significant tradition in French monarchy, symbolizing power and sovereignty, with Louis XVI being particularly obsessed with it.
- Louis XVI and his hunting parties killed over 189,000 animals between 1774 and 1787, showcasing the scale of the royal hunts.
- The French people's suffering due to economic hardship and food shortages contrasted sharply with the king's lavish hunting activities.
- The revolution led to the abolition of exclusive hunting rights, allowing commoners to hunt in previously royal forests.
- Louis XVI's failed escape attempt, the 'Flight to Varennes,' marked a turning point, leading to the monarchy's dissolution and his execution.