Louis XVII

(Louis XVII of France)

1785–1795

Dauphin
THE DAUPHIN AND THE SPARROWS.
Louis XVII of France is one of the most tragic victims of the French Revolution. He was born Duke of Normandy at the palace of Versailles. The second son and third (and youngest) child of Maria Antoinette and Louis XVI, he became the Dauphin and heir-apparent to the throne of France at the age of four, after the death of his older brother Louis-Joseph from illness.

The little Dauphin was not given long to enjoy his title or his family. The same year he gained his new title, the Royal family was forced to move from Versailles to the Tuilieries, in Paris. When Louis was six years old, he was stripped of his hereditary title by the new constitution of France, and granted the title Prince Royal, which he kept until the execution of his father made him the titular king of France at the age of eight.

Louis XVI never escaped the captivity of the Revolution, and was never officially crowned King of France. After being forcibly separated from his family, he was kept under a variety of different captors over a two-year period. He was abused, forced to testify against his mother and sister, starved, and locked up. He died two years after his separation from his family, of illness, abuse, and neglect.


Key events during the life of Louis XVII of France:


Year
Event
1785
Born in Versailles, as Louis-Charles, Duke of Normandy
1789
Becomes Dauphin of France at the death of his older brother, Louis-Joseph.
1789
Royal family forced to move from Versailles to the Tuileries in October.
1791
Stripped of his title by the new constitution, given the title Prince Royal.
1792
The Royal Family is placed in the Temple Prison. The King is separated from his family.
1793, January
Becomes uncrowned King of France after his father's execution.
1793, July
Separated from his family and given into the guardianship of Antoine Simon, a shoemaker, and his wife Marie-Jeanne.
1793, October
Sees his sister Marie-Therese-Charlotte for the last time.
1793, October
Death of his mother, Marie Antoinette.
1794, January
The Simons leave, Louis-Charles is placed in solitary confinement.
1794, July
Visited by Barras after 9 Thermidor.
1794
Attended by Jean Jacques Laurent and Gomin.
1795
Died alone in prison of illness, abuse, neglect.
2000
DNA testing proves Louis-Charles died in the Temple Prison, ending conspiracy theories that he might have escaped.


Image Links


Happy Days in the Garden.
 in  The Little Dauphin

The Cobbler and his little victim.
 in  The Little Dauphin

The Dauphin and the sparrows.
 in  The Little Dauphin


Contemporary
Short Biography
Robespierre Key figure of the French Revolution. Leader of the Reign of Terror.
Maria Antoinette Extravagant Queen of France. Beheaded during French Revolution.
Louis XVI King during the French revolution. Beheaded by republicans who sought to overthrow the monarchy.