Charles X (Charles Philippe; Versailles, France, 9th October 1757 – Görz, Austrian Empire, 6th November 1836)
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| Charles X by Jean-Baptiste Paulin Guérin, 1827 |
It seems that we are destined to meet Charles X only on the most unhappy occasions. His last visit to the salon occurred on the anniversary of his abdication from the French throne and today we mark the date of his death. He passed his final days in Görz, but what were the events that brought him to his final destination?
At our last meeting we left Charles X in England before a crowd of unhappy Britons who met the newly-styled comte de Ponthieu with jeers and the tricolour flag. Not only were the locals in1830 less than welcoming, but Charles could not leave his debts behind as easily as his crown and he found his creditors had also crossed the Channel and were now more than keen to see the colour of his money. Luckily for Charles, his late wife, Maria Theresa of Savoy, had money held in trust in London and he used this to settle his debts.
As far as Charles was concerned, his life in England could now progress and for a short time he settled at Lulworth Castle before travelling north to take up residence at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. The deposed Bourbons found it hard to settle in their new existence and two years after their arrival in England they were on the move again, happy to accept the offer of sanctuary in Prague from Emperor Francis I.
Home for now became Hradschin Palace and here they would remain until 1835, when the family purchased Kirchberg Castle. Unfortunately, they were unable to take up residence in their new home due to an unfortunately timed cholera outbreak and, as they waited for the danger to pass, Charles decided to take the sun in Görz.
In fact, it was a particular dark twist of fate that saw Charles contract cholera almost immediately upon arrival, dying soon after. As the townspeople mourned their late guest, Charles was interred in the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady in the Kostanjevica Monastery, his roaming finally at an end.
Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.
Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.
9 comments:
Madame Gilflurt, I so enjoy your posts. They are not just historical facts regurgitated but written with style and original thought!
That is so kind, thank you; you've made my day!
I was lulled into a false sense of security and thinking that he was indeed fortunate to have escaped with his life at this time. Somewhat unfortunate end through Cholera, however. These men in this period just seem incapable of looking after themselves!
You should know by now, French kings rarely end happily!
Surprised to learn that they lived in Edinburgh for a while!
Liz
They did indeed!
Louis XVIII was the only monarch of France after Louis XV to end his days peacefully and in possession of the throne. His skill at managing the French (and the foreigners) perhaps accounts for this; it may also account for the fact that he is the most generally ignored of French leaders of the 19th century. Too bad; he was a remarkable man, and deserves a great deal of credit for calming tempers in 1814 and again (including his own) after the Hundred Days in 1815. It is no accident that his brother was up to it.
Sorry: I meant "his brother was NOT up to it."
Thank you for your comment; I hope to be featuring Louis XVIII at a later date so hope you will pop by! Of course, if you'd like to contribute a guest blog on the subject, please do get in touch!
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