Week 9

Day 1
Why did the French execute their King? (I)
- Louis faced 33 charges, including:
  - accepting a constiution he despised.
  - trying to flee out of the country so he could get away from his problem.
  - bankrupting the Nation by using the taxes to buy expensive stuff for himself.
  - plotting against the Revolution.
- When Louis was on trial he was allowed to hire lawyers but he is not allowed to call witnesses

The day before the execution: 20 January
Afternoon- The king spends time with an Irish priest called Edgeworth who was to act as his confessor.

7:00 p.m - Louis was allowed to see his family for the first time since the death sentence was passed.

8:30        - On leaving his family Louis ate dinner with a spoon, he cant use any knife. His last supper included 2 chicken wings, some vegetables, two glasses of wine, and a piece of sponge cake with a glass of Malaga wine for dessert.

9:30        - Louis had a very sad and emotional last meeting with his family.

10:15      - When Louis stand up to leave he said: "i assure you that i will come to see you  tomorrow morning at eight". "do you promise?" ask one of the family member. "yes i promise…Adieu." but his famiy never see him again

10:16     - Louis prayed with Edgeworth

12:30 A.M - When Louis prepared for bed, his servant started rolling his hair but Louis said, "that wont be necessary"

The next morning Louis gave an instruction to Clery, his servant. He said, "Will you give this seal to my son… the wedding ring to the Queen. Tell her that i leave her with a great deal of pain. This little package contains locks of hair of all my family. Give it to her too. Tell the Queen, tell my dear children,  that I had promised to see them this morning, but I wanted to spare them the pain of such a cruel separation." This was Louis' last instruction to Clery.

When Louis was on his route, a wild and unsuccessful rescue attempt was made by Baron de Batz and four others. At ten o'clock Louis arrived at the guillotine. At 10:20 he was dead.                                   (who knows being chopped in the guillotine takes 22 minutes?!)



Day 2
Topic: Why did the French execute their king? (II)
Today we still continue talking about the topic on day 1.