Biography of Louis 16
Answers
Louis XVI was born as Louis-August, Duc de Berry: son of Louis, Dauphin of France and Princess Marie-Josephe of Saxony. He was the grandson of King Louis XV.
His father died of lung tuberculosis at age 36 before having a chance to become the next King of France. His mother died shortly from the same illness, leaving Louis August and his siblings orphans. At that time, Louis August was only 13. He was then raised by his grandmother who died the next year.
As he was the oldest man alive of his 7 brothers and sisters, he was destined to become the next King of France.
Although he was a good student with particular interest in Science, he wasn't prepared to become King. He was probably a little too shy, too irresponsible and mostly interested in hunting and locks. His grandfather was often blamed for his lack of commitment into his grandson's political education.
When he turned fifteen, Louis-August married Marie Antoinette. The fourteen-year-old Maria Antonia of Austria was a Habsburg Archduchess. This gesture was a political agreement between the Bourbons (France, Spain, Parma, Napoli and Sicily) and the Habsburg (Austrian Empire dynasty: Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, Toscana), it was a time where alliances were strategic.
The couple was young and didn't commit to their family life quick enough. Rumors spread in Paris and on the whole region that they were unfertile and unloving. After all, the own essence of the Monarchy is to have an Offspring. The people voice didn't go through the walls of Versailles very often at that time but the Monarchy didn't appreciate being mocked this way.
On June 11th, 1775 after his grandfather died, Louis August accessed to the throne and became Louis XVI. He was 20 and far from thinking how in a bad position he was.
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Louis XVI was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. He was referred to as Citizen Louis Capet during the four months just before he was executed by guillotine.
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