- Marie Antoinette (November 2 1755 – October 16 1793) was Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria. She was the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and his wife Maria Theresa of Austria, the wife of Louis XVI, and the mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined during the French Revolution. She was born Archduchess Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna of the Habsburg dynasty.
Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?
Marie Antoinetter esponding to the priest who had accompanied her to the foot of the guillotine, who had whispered, “Courage, madame! Now is the time for courage.” Quoted in Women of Beauty and Heroism (1859) by Frank B. Goodrich, p. 301.We had a beautiful dream and that was all. The interest of my son is the only guide I have, and whatever happiness I could achieve by being free of this place I cannot consent to separate my self from him. I could not have any pleasure in the world if I abandoned my children.I do not even have any regrets.
Marie Antoinette to the Chevalier Jarjayes on his persuading her to escape alone from the Tower; Lettres, II. p. 433; also quoted in Marie Antoinette: The Journey (2001) by Antonia Fraser, ISBN 0307277747.Pardon me, sir, I did not do it on purpose.
Marie Antoinette, last words, spoken after she stepped on her executioner’s foot on her way to the guillotineWe made our entrance into Paris. As for honors, we received all that we could possibly imagine; but they, though very well in their way, were not what touched me most. What was really affecting was the tenderness and earnestness of the poor people, who, in spite of the taxes with which they are overwhelmed, were transported with joy at seeing us.
