World History: 'Marie Antoinette': Mary Richards
'If Frenchmen only knew her worth, and how saintly her troubles have made her, they would love her. But our enemies have spoken badly of her, and tried to change the love that once was felt for her into the most bitter hatred.' So wrote King Louis of France about his Queen, Marie Antoinette.
In this afternoon's broadcast you will hear about the conditions that gave rise to the French Revolution, and how the unhappy royal family of France made its desperate bid for escape. There will be a number of short dramatic scenes. The first is set in a Paris street, where the poor people are heard comparing their lot with that of the rich nobles at court.
The second scene is set in the Palace of Versailles just before the revolutionaries arrive to carry off the royal family to the Tuileries.
The third scene follows Louis, Marie Antoinette, and, their children, as they try to escape in their coach. The escape was all but successful, and had they not been recognised by Drouet at Varennes, the course of French history might have been materially altered.
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