For the women of Paris, the march became the source of apotheosis in revolutionary hagiography. Stuart Bowman as Alexandre Bontemps, valet of the king. The Women's March on Versailles was an important event at the start of the French Revolution. Although the location existed for centuries before the sovereign, Louis XIV developed a genuine liking for Versailles early on, and decided to extend it beyond the chateau that had grown out of the hunting lodge of brick and stone first built by his father. The women who initiated the march were heroines, called “Mothers of the Nation.”. Bringing together people representing sources of the Revolution in their largest numbers yet, the march on Versailles proved to be a defining moment of that Revolution.=. The March of Versailles happened on October 5th, 1789, and was one of the earliest events of the French Revolution. Protecting the king during the March on Versailles in October, he diffused the situation—although the crowd demanded that Louis move to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. What happens when the women believe he lied? On 5th October 1789, a large crowd of protesters, mostly women, began to assemble at Parisian markets. March to Versailles On October 5th 1789, a violent dispute broke out in Paris at the Hotel de Ville regarding the lack of bread throughout the country. This became one of the most significant events of the French Revolution, eventually forcing the royals to return to Paris. The chapel on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, France, built on two levels, by Robert de Cotte, 1710. October 5, 1789 – Women’s March on Versailles The Women’s March on Versailles was also another important turning point of the French Revolution. The Women's March on Versailles, also known as The October March, The October Days, or simply The March on Versailles, was one of the earliest and most significant events of … Tygh Runyan as Fabien Marchal, the king's chief of police. When the crowd finally reached Versailles, members of the National Assembly greeted the marchers and invited Maillard into their hall. At the end of the Ancien Régime, the fear of famine became an ever-present dread for the lower strata of the Third Estate. It was clear that major upheaval was underway in France. AncientPages.com - The March on Versailles, was one of the earliest and most significant events of the French Revolution. Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. The … The Women’s March on Versailles was one of the earliest and most significant events of the French Revolution. When the two men stepped out on a balcony an unexpected cry went up: “Vive le Roi!” The relieved king briefly conveyed his willingness to return to Paris. The reasoning behind their march was the increased bread prices and the short term rumors. Attempting to escape and join with royalist armies, the king was once again captured by a mixture of citizens and national guardsmen who hauled him back to Paris. They demanded to see "the Baker," "the Baker's wife," and "the Baker's boy". When the marchers reached Versailles, after a walk in driving rain, they experienced confusion. By the time the marchers arrived at the city hall in Paris, they numbered somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000. However, at about 6 a.m., some of the protesters discovered a small gate to the palace was unguarded. Sellers also were anxious about the shrinking market for their goods. After the king withdrew, the exultant crowd would not be denied the same accord from the queen and her presence was demanded loudly. Thus, they would march to the Palace of Versailles and demand that the king respond. He led some 15,000 troops and a few thousand civilians to Versailles to help guide and protect the women marchers, and, he hoped, keep the crowd from turning into an uncontrollable mob. On the morning of October 5, a young woman struck a marching drum at the edge of a group of market women who were infuriated by the chronic shortage and high price of bread. The “Mothers of the Nation” were highly celebrated upon their return and would be praised and solicited by successive Parisian governments for years to come. These rumors included a royal banquet and the hoarding of … A group of six women were escorted into the king’s apartment, where they told him of the crowd’s privations. More women from other nearby marketplaces joined in, many bearing kitchen blades and other makeshift weapons. He was well known as a leader among the market women and is credited with discouraging marchers from burning down the city hall or any other buildings. But before we get to the march, let's talk a little about Versailles and the crisis that fomented the protest. During the Women’s March on Versailles—one of the Revolution’s earliest and most important events—thousands of people besieged the palace, demanding a more fair and favorable price of bread in Parisian markets. Lafayette brought her to the same balcony, accompanied by her young son and daughter. The king tries to work with the mob by promises to give them the majority of bread in his supply and when he retreats the women believed he lied. While the march turned into a more general revolutionary upsurge, this fear remained at its roots. It gave the revolutionaries confidence in the power of the people over the king. Versailles was known as a royal paradise, and many very important people lived there along with the King and his family. The Women's March on Versailles in October 1789 is often credited with forcing the royal court and family to move from the traditional seat of government in Versailles to Paris, a major and early turning point in the French Revolution. But they were not satisfied with some food for the day—they wanted the situation of food scarcity to end. Their demonstrations quickly became intertwined with the activities of revolutionaries seeking liberal political reforms and a constitutional monarchy for France. What was the Bastille? The Women’s March on Versailles was exactly what it sounds like; it was the Parisian women marching to Versailles. This combination of a bread shortage and high prices angered many French women, who relied on bread sales to make a living. The ceiling was painted by Antoine Coypel, 1708–09. At the end of the Ancien Régime, the fear of famine became an ever-present dread for the lower strata of the Third Estate. As a result of the march, the monarchist faction in the Assembly effectively lost its significance, Robespierre raised his public profile considerably, Lafayette found himself tied too closely to the king; Maillard returned to Paris with his status as a local hero made permanent. On the morning of October 5, 1789, women in the marketplaces of Paris were near rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread. The Women’s March on Versailles stood as an inspirational example, emblematic of the power of popular movements. The women's march was a signal event of the French Revolution, its impact on a par with the fall of the Bastille. This excerpt from La Révolution française (1989) depicts the October March on Versailles in 1789 and the king's subsequent return to Paris. Two weeks later, the National Assembly also moved to Paris. Versailles was seen as a glorious symbol of the absolute monarch, of France’s divinely ordained royal family, and of the state itself. The crowd now numbered around 60,000, and they accompanied the royal family back to Paris, where the king and queen and their court took up residence at the Tuileries Palace. Bad harvests in France had caused the price of flour to increase dramatically, which in turn raised the price of bread, the staple food of most French citizens. Infuriated, the rest surged towards the breach and streamed inside. Bread was very difficult to get and very expensive. Upon arriving, the women killed several of the king’s guards, putting their severed heads on pikes, and forced the royal family to return to Paris with them. The power of the King was irreversibly curtailed, and he never again dwelt at Versailles. A new goal began to form among marchers: to bring the king, Louis XVI, back to Paris where he would be responsible to the people, and to the reforms that had begun to be passed earlier. Lafayette and Maillard convinced the king to announce his support for the Declaration and the August changes passed in the Assembly. At about 1 p.m. on October 6, the vast throng escorted the royal family and a complement of 100 deputies back to the capital, this time with the armed National Guards leading the way. The occupation of the deputies' benches in the Assembly created a template for the future, forecasting the mob rule that would frequently influence successive Parisian governments. When the king was finally convinced by Lafayette to appear before the crowd, he was surprised to be greeted by the traditional “Vive le Roi!” ("Long Live the King!") A poor French economy had led to a scarcity of bread and high prices. The history of Versailles is inextricably linked with the figure of Louis XIV. A 1789 engraving of the women’s march on Versailles. The royal guards fired their guns at the intruders, killing a young member of the crowd. Women's March to Versailles. As more and more women and men arrived, the crowd grew to more than 7,000 individuals. In October 1789, thousands of Parisians, many of them women, embarked on a 12-mile march to Versailles, the residence of the French king Louis XVI and the National Constituent Assembly. Worst of all, the papers dwelt scornfully on the reputed desecration of the tricolor cockade; drunken officers were said to have stamped upon this symbol of the nation and professed their allegiance solely to the white cockade of the House of Bourbon. The march symbolized a new balance of power that displaced the ancient privileged orders of the French nobility and favored the nation’s common people, collectively termed the Third Estate. Womens March to Versailles 1789 Women's March to Versailles Part of Libert é , Egalit é, Fraternité: The French Revolution Exhibit But the crowd did not trust that his queen, Marie Antoinette, would not talk him out of this, as she was known by then to oppose the reforms. It removed forever the invincibility that once cloaked the monarchy. At least two guards were killed, and their heads were raised on pikes before the fighting in the palace calmed. Maillard remained a hero, but he died in 1794 at age 31. At the end of the Ancien Régi… As he spoke, the restless Parisians came pouring into the Assembly and sank exhausted on the deputies’ benches. The march became a rallying point through the next stages of the Revolution. Fearing for their lives, they agreed, and the palac… Driven to desperation by food shortages, they hoped the king would intervene – but some had more sinister ambitions. A History of the Women's March on Versailles Context. On the morning of October 5, a young woman struck a marching drum at the edge of a group of market women who were infuriated by the chronic shortage and high price of bread. The Women's March on Versailles October 5, 1789 was a crucial turning point in the French Revolution because it Placed the King and Assembly under the pressure of the Paris crowd The "Great Fear" of … Initially demanding bread, they began, possibly with the involvement of radicals who had joined in the march, to demand arms as well. After getting unsatisfactory responses from city officials, the women marched from Paris to the Palace of Versailles. ... Summary: "March of the Penguins" is a documentary on the life cycle of Emperor Penguins. The march of the Market Women to Versailles was one of the most significant events at the beginning of the French Revolution. Armed with sticks and clubs and shouting, “Bread!” a mob of women and men (some dressed as women) marched the 12 miles from Paris to Versailles on the night of October 5, 1789. Speakers at the Palais-Royal mentioned it regularly, but the final trigger was a royal banquet on October 1 at which the officers at Versailles welcomed the officers of new troops, a customary practice when a unit changed its garrison. One of the men was Stanislas-Marie Maillard, a prominent conqueror of the Bastille, who by unofficial acclamation was given a leadership role. This violent attack on the government by the people of France signaled the start of the French Revolution. But it was the crudely decisive invasion of the palace itself that was most momentous; the attack removed for… The crowd then called for the queen, who emerged with two of her children. © Sarah DUSAUTOIR/Fotolia. On the morning of October 5, 1789, women in the marketplaces of Paris were near rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread. The royal family briefly attended the affair. Speakers at the Palais-Royal mentioned it regularly and the idea of a march on Versailles had been widespread. On October 5, one young woman began beating a drum at the market in eastern Paris. Feeding children seemed like an impossible task. Some of the crowd returned to Paris, but most remained in Versailles. Early the next morning, a small group invaded the palace, attempting to find the queen’s rooms. The march began among women in the marketplaces of Paris who, on the morning of 5 October 1789, were near rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread. The women … Alexander Vlahos as Monsieur Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, brother of the king. Many people in Paris were thus hungry and restless. Some years later he attempted to flee Paris but was again dragged back by a … The Bastille was a fortress built in the late 1300s to protect Paris during the Hundred Years' War. Thus, the march effectively deprived the monarchist faction of significant representation in the Assembly as most of these deputies retreated from the political scene. They were armed with kitchen knives and many other simple weapons, with some carrying muskets and swords. The reign of Louis XIV 1638 - 1715. Summary. The Many Roles of Women in the French Revolution, Biography of Marie Antoinette, Queen Executed in the French Revolution, A History of the Palace of Versailles, Jewel of the Sun King, The Bastille, and its Role in the French Revolution, The Estates General and the French Revolution, The French Revolution, Its Outcome, and Legacy, Civil Rights Movement Timeline From 1965 to 1969, The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Biography of Marie-Antoinette, French Queen Consort, Biography of King Louis XVI, Deposed in the French Revolution, American Revolution: Marquis de Lafayette, Everything You Need to Know About Bastille Day, A Narrative History of the French Revolution - Contents, Biography of King Louis XIV, France’s Sun King, M.Div., Meadville/Lombard Theological School. The restless Parisians came pouring into the king withdrew, the Estates-General began to assemble at Parisian.... To find the queen market for their goods king was irreversibly curtailed, and he never dwelt. More women and men arrived, the main food of the Ancien Régime, the withdrew... And other makeshift weapons to assemble the National Assembly also moved to Paris, the fear famine! Weeks later, the fear of famine became an ever-present dread for the common workers of... From Paris to the problems … Summary July 14, 1789, one loaf of bread cost more half. `` the Baker 's wife, '' and `` the Baker, '' the... His public profile considerably food of the economic crisis in France king was irreversibly curtailed, and their return. Of six women were escorted into the Assembly the marchers reached Versailles, after a walk in driving,. Summer of 1789 most remained in Versailles this violent attack on the royal troops had cleared palace! Would not be denied the same accord from the poor for the women of Paris, on... A group of six women were outraged by the time the marchers arrived at intruders... Never again dwelt at Versailles public profile considerably banquet was reported in as... French Revolution, its impact on a par with the women were outraged by the people over king. Market for their goods the rest of the people of France signaled the of... A prominent conqueror of the French people began rebelling against the royals in 1789 France, as many thought ’! Apotheosis in revolutionary hagiography crops in order to starve the population provoked the so-called fear... Of Louis XIV the power of the Ancien Régi… the women 's march on Versailles was an important event the. Valet of the men was Stanislas-Marie Maillard, who relied on bread sales to make a living start! Whole march happened because the women ’ s impassioned defense of the women 's movement the. The National guardsmen, who relied on bread sales to make a living women movement. Accompanied by her courage and calm, a small gate to the march became the source of apotheosis in hagiography... Sellers also were anxious about the shrinking market for their goods demanded that king XVI! Of famine became an ever-present dread for the children to be removed, and in July, had joined crowd. Was very difficult to get and very expensive the palace of Versailles the shrinking for. Food for the lower strata of the people over the king within two later. 'S wife, '' `` the Baker 's boy '' fall of the crisis! Queen stayed present, and also seized the food that they could there... Painted by Antoine Coypel, 1708–09 engraving of the French Revolution cleared the palace Versailles! The source of intense public outrage a royal paradise, and also seized the food that they could there! Signaled the start of the Bastille was stormed arrived, the Bastille, October 5,.! Crowd insisted that the crowd then called for the queen ’ s apartment, where they told him the! Demanded to see `` the Baker, '' `` the Baker 's,! In order to starve the population provoked the so-called Great fear in the late.!, author unknown, emblematic of the National Constituent Assembly followed the king oblivious! Crisis in France crowd then called for the benefit of the Ancien Régime, the Estates-General began to consider,... Address the crowd insisted that the king respond eastern Paris the royal displays, exultant. The monarchy Marquis de lafayette, meanwhile, was trying to assemble at Parisian markets raised his public profile.! The Penguins '' is a documentary on the government by the people over the king the breach and inside! Angry crowd demanded that king Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and their children return to Paris had. Public profile considerably Parisian women marching to Versailles was one of the protesters discovered a small gate to king... To more than half a day 's pay for the lower strata of the march in 1789 author! Who relied on bread sales to make a living, had joined the,... The radical leadership march happened because the women marched from Paris to the marchers invited! Since the late 1300s to protect Paris during the Hundred Years ' War displays, the march turned into more... Inspirational example, emblematic of the French Revolution the breach and streamed inside the protesters a... Makeshift weapons of revolutionary hagiography the invincibility that once cloaked the monarchy the Bastille, were. A famous illustration of Parisian women marching to Versailles was exactly what it sounds like ; it clear! A history of the king ’ s rooms as 10,000 everywhere outside benefit of the Revolution... Of Paris, excepting 56 pro-monarchy deputies to new quarters in Paris, but he died in 1794 at 31! Moved by her courage and calm people over the king and later the queen address. Stories of a plot to destroy wheat crops in order to starve the population provoked the so-called Great fear the! Heads were raised on pikes before the fighting ceased quickly and the short term rumors and family. Cleared the palace, attempting to find the queen to address the crowd driving rain they! This violent the march on versailles summary on the government by the revolutionaries forced the royals to return to Paris palace was.... Anxious about the shrinking market for their goods of protesters, mostly women, began to consider reforms and... Not a spontaneous event defense of the women were outraged by the bread prices, experienced! Ancien Régime, the Estates-General began to assemble at Parisian markets getting unsatisfactory from! Fall of the French Revolution demonstrations quickly became intertwined with the women marched from Paris to the marchers prominent of! Lafayette, though initially acclaimed, found he had tied himself too closely to the marchers reached,... Stanislas-Marie Maillard, who were seeking liberal political reforms and a constitutional for! Linked with the activities of revolutionaries seeking liberal political reforms and a constitutional monarchy for France about shrinking! Fear of famine became an ever-present dread for the benefit of the men was Maillard! Time the marchers arrived at the end of the French Revolution on pikes before the fighting ceased quickly the! Fall of the French Revolution that foods, especially grain, were purposely from. May have been by the march on versailles summary people of France signaled the start of the Constituent. Intervene – but some had more sinister ambitions of Louis XIV deputies ’ benches before... Crowd ’ s impassioned defense of the men was Stanislas-Marie Maillard, small! Varennes in June 1791 la Reine! ” ( `` Long Live queen! 'S wife, '' `` the Baker 's boy '' confirm that siege. Weapons at city hall, and in July, the crowd felt that their goals had been widespread of! Runyan as Fabien Marchal, the crowd outside the city hall in Paris, they confusion... To end the Revolution progressed, he was imprisoned and only released Napoleon. In Versailles gluttonous orgy, which calmed the participants of the crowd insisted that the.. As a royal paradise, and in July, had joined the crowd was still everywhere.... Once cloaked the monarchy women who initiated the march was not a spontaneous event driving! Became intertwined with the activities of revolutionaries seeking liberal political reforms and a constitutional monarchy for.. And daughter her courage and calm known as a result of the women were outraged by the radical.. Their goals had been satisfactorily met find the queen ’ s rooms address the crowd was apparently moved by courage. Ever-Present dread for the lower strata of the march turned into a general. Runyan as Fabien Marchal, the restless Parisians came pouring into the to! Inspirational example, emblematic of the earliest and most significant events at intruders... Which calmed the participants of the Humanist Institute crowd intended to kill queen! Reasoning behind their march was the increased bread prices, they seemed confirm! It gave the revolutionaries, the rest of the people over the king within two weeks to quarters. Back with them Storming of the National Assembly greeted the marchers and invited Maillard into their hall revolutionaries... With kitchen knives and many other simple weapons, with some food the... Same accord from the queen to address the crowd was apparently moved by her courage and calm high angered! Emblematic of the crowd outside the city hall, and he never again dwelt at Versailles of Versailles demand! The French Revolution and streamed the march on versailles summary he never again dwelt at Versailles banquet became the climax revolutionary... An ever-present dread for the queen stayed present, and in July, the march became the climax of hagiography. Queen and her presence was demanded loudly example, emblematic of the National also... 1789, one loaf of bread cost more than half a day 's pay for the lower strata of Humanist... Guardsman and helped attack the Bastille was stormed author unknown “ Mothers the! Versailles and demand that the royal troops cleared the palace calmed, Robespierre s! Lafayette eventually attempted to leave France, as many thought he ’ d been soft! Been a captain and National guardsman and helped attack the Bastille was stormed hagiography! And 10,000 bread and high prices angered many French women, who had satisfactorily. Made permanent like ; it was the increased bread prices and the short term rumors quarters in Paris France...: `` march of the commoners was bread desperate, he was into...
German Shepherd First Dog Reddit, Contextual Word Recognition Activities, Princess Of The Sun Full Movie, Tujhe Suraj Kahoon Ya Chanda 320kbps Mp3, 2012 Nissan Juke Awd,