Marie Antoinetteby The Marie Antoinette Board
THE MARIE ANTOINETTE NOVEL - is a tale of breathtaking contrasts, amazing and dramatic turns of fate. Set in late 18th century France, we follow the life of France’s beautiful and glamorous Queen, her fads, her fashions, her lively friends and frolics, her life of luxury and excess. But even as fair Antoinette enchants the King and court, there is always an under current of discontent, scurrilous pamphlets and rumors spread by envious nobility left out of the Queen’s young and fashionable “Trianon set”. And then, there is the American Revolution and the aid France and even the Queen give to the cause of liberty that ultimately succeeds in America. There will be winds from that Revolution as well as from France’s deep financial troubles. And then an intense public scandal - the trial of the century - that casts the glare of public scrutiny directly on the sullied reputation of the Queen. Once adored by the public, Marie Antoinette becomes “Madame Deficit”, the “Austrian Bitch” and most hated woman in French history. In the French Revolution that follows, the burden of defending the monarchy will fall to the stouthearted Antoinette as her husband falters. But all her devices cannot turn back the tides of history that engulf the Queen, her trappings and all her privileged society. In the end of our novel, Marie Antoinette the now deposed queen will be repeatedly humiliated, tried for her life and forced to face the end alone before the guillotine. But the drama of 1789 Revolution remains still a decade away. The novel is divided into 10 chapters that follow the major
events of the Queen’s life beginning with Chapter 1 on
the eve of the death of Louis XV in 1774 though to chapter
10, “1793 - The Head of Antoinette”.. In our last chapter (ch. 2) , “Youth Takes Command of France: 1775 – 1778”, Louis and Antoinette become King and Queen. At last free of the rigors of Madame Etiquette, the young 20-year-old queen can sprout her wings with an entire kingdom at her beck and call. The public is still captivated by the prospects of these new and handsome rulers to restore faith in the French monarchy. It is the early years of their reign, the first excitement of a new youthful monarchy as Louis and Antoinette get used to the power of being king and queen of France. It is also a time of continued and intensifying comment, questioning and even ridicule of the new queen of France. Even in these early days, the pamphleteers are quick to pick up her wild life-style, inappropriate behavior with both men and women and most of all …her failure to produce and heir to the throne of France. Chapter 2 also traces the French court’s growing
interest in the American war. Its fits and starts and the ever-growing
chance of alliance with both excitement and risks for the French
monarchy. (The posts in chapter 2 from October 1, 2002, onward
when our novel revived are highly recommended to capture the
vibrancy of this period.) OUR CURRENT CHAPTER 3: Marie Antoinette is at last a mother - her marriage, her womanhood at last complete. The Queen would have liked to have had a son to secure the succession to the throne. But as Antoinette and Louis celebrate the first birthday of Madame Royale in December 1779 as the Queen is recovering from a winter flu bug - all is cheerful, all seems possible in the happy world of the Queen of France. The happy 24-year old mother poses in the full bloom of her youthful beauty as shown above for her new artist - a novelty, a woman and soon to be young mother like herself Elizabeth Vigee LeBrun. As Marie Antoinette celebrates her child's first birthday, in a sense, the Queen celebrates her first birthday as a fulfilled woman and Queen. But she is still young and with her friends in the Polignac set there is much to do - pleasures to fulfill and above all boredom to avoid - and her husband the King in his joy can deny our Queen nothing. There is other good news - as the year 1778 not only saw the Queen's first born but the return of an "old friend" from Sweden and his travels abroad. News of America is mixed since the conclusion of alliance in February 1778. there is much excitement about France itself to now send a force to aid the Americans. As Axel and Antoinette renew their acquaintance and notice is duly taken, their time together will grow short for Axel too hears the call of the drum - the American War beckons him as all gallant spirits of the day. TODAY - IN MARIE ANTOINETTE NOVEL At this moment, we are in December 1779 and a night of theatre with the great Volange. Yet the first act begins before the curtain comes down. In the theatre in response to a perceived slight, Duke dOrleans publicly confronts the Queen in her own box. He flings at her the latest illustrated pamphlet by “Anne Boleyn” (see thread “Rumors and Libels against Queen.), “Read what people think of you!!” With the gauntlet thrown, what will happen next? To the Duke?? To the writer “Anne Boleyn”? The queen’s honor has been insulted. It is a crime of lese majeste. Will Antoinette insist on a public trial?? This matter in many ways foreshadows our next chapter, when in Chapter 4 (“Scandal Rocks Monarchy”) Madame de Lamotte is arrested and Cardinal Rohan charged with crime of lese majeste, and the great Diamond Necklace Affair erupts in France (as recently seen recounted in the Hilary Swank movie “Affair of the Necklace”). Meanwhile all who surround the Queen have their own agendas to keep ... There is much going on and lots of open roles, do come visit – enjoy the read, and if you would like to try a part let us know. Thanks to all who made our novel a “featured novel” in this month’s Historian. All at our novel consider this a group achievement and appreciate this honor bestowed. The Board |
