Katie's Corner

As my readers may know, I am an avid reader of history and studying European monarchies. Today marks a pinnacle event that has touched my heart for years. On this day, October 16, 1793, Queen Marie Antoinette of France was guillotined by French Revolutionaries. Her life has been one of intrigue, mystery, and a reputation in shreds. Many could read this and think, "she was just a Queen who died". That may be true, but her life was more than what a royal stereotype defines. For me, I have felt a connection to her life for a long time. I first read of Marie Antoinette at the age of twelve while studying royal queens. While reading, I will never forget seeing her portrait and the "scandals" of her life; alongside the debunked phrase "let them eat cake." After years of research through later school projects, I came to find the real Marie Antoinette: a woman who was steadfast in faith, charitable to her people and loved her husband and children. "Marie Ant...

On this day in 1794, Servant of God, Madame Élisabeth of France was guillotined during the French Revolution. in commemoration of her Feast Day within the Catholic Church, this post is dedicated to her life and legacy.                              Servant of God, Madame Élisabeth of France (date and artist unknown) B orn on May 3, 1764, Princess Élisabeth was the daughter of Dauphin Louis of France and his wife,  Dauphine Marie Josèphe. At the age of two, Élisabeth was left an orphan following her father's death in 1765 and her mother in 1767. At a young age, Élisabeth had difficulty studying her education. It was not until Élisabeth became ill, that her sister Clothilde inspired her to become devoted to her Catholic faith and learn the French alphabet. Within time, Élisabeth began to change her outlook on life and develop a personality of kindness and humility.  C hoosing to live a cha...

In honor of the last day in February, here is a short story of the love story between King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette of France. Although this pair started off as two foreigners to each other, their bond would hold them together in the most grievous hour. Let us take a moment and learn of this royal love.              King Louis XVI by Joesph Duplessis and Queen Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun. On May 16, 1770, Dauphin Louis of France married  Archduchess Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna (Marie Antoinette) in the Royal Chapel of Versailles. On their wedding night, the adolescents went to bed together, yet their marriage was not consummated. It is reported that either the Louis and Antoinette did not know what to do, or decided to remain platonic spouses as they grew to personally know each other. For the next years, the pair learned their likes and dislikes as they were young adults in a foreign relationship. In 1774, Lou...

On this day in 1793, King Louis XVI was guillotined during the French Revolution.  Throughout his reign,  King Louis XVI remained convicted  in the Catholic faith and made multiple reforms. In addition to establishing the first blind school in Europe, Louis signed the 1787 "Edict of Versailles", granting the people  freedom of religion and press. Nine years prior, L ouis recognized the colonial "United States of America" as a separate nation from England and assisted George Washington in his plight for freedom. On a personal level, Louis had an interest in lock making and had grown into a loving marriage with his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette. Together the couple had four heirs of their own and two adopted children.  Louis XVI as King of France beside a bust of his queen, Marie Antoinette Due to Enlightenment ideals, economic strain and propaganda, King Louis was overthrown by French Revolutionaries in 1789. Three years later, the king was tried for treason again...