Alejandra Vega

September 26, 2015

The last testament of Louis XVI

In history the reign of Louis XVI was the mark that ended The
French monarchy. The people of France regarded the royal family as part
of the Ancien Regime which they wanted discarded. Being imprisoned for
4 months in Paris, Louis XVI decided to write down his final testament.
Which he wrote shortly before his execution in 1792. Did he truly believe
he deserved to be executed, and why would he write a testament right
before his death?

- Is there specific elements of the authors (s) life that are specifically
relevant to the document studied?
As many Royals, Louis XVI was brought up as Roman Catholic.
During his childhood Louis was instructed by Duc de La Vauguyon about
religion, morality and humanity. He was catholic and had helped the
church by eliminating religious persecutions within France. Throughout his
testament he addresses to God writing Having no other witnesses for my
thoughts, I hereby declare, in his presence, my last wishes. Knowing
he was going to be executed he tried to make peace with himself, and
with others through his writing. Religion was something important to him
although he also tried to push enlightenment ideals, he was a
conservative at heart. If something where to be noticed about Louis XVI
last testament is his faith.
I leave my soul to God, my creator; I pray Him to receive it in
His mercy, not to judge it according to its merits but according to those of Our Lord
Jesus Christ who has offered Himself as a sacrifice to God His Father for us other
men, no matter how hardened, and for me firstI believe firmly and I confess all that
is contained in the creed and the commandments of God and the Church. -King
Louis XIV Last testament

Alejandra Vega
September 26, 2015

He very deeply cared for his family as well. He perhaps mentions his
family as much as he does god. When he got married to Maria Antoinette
he was very wary of her. He thought that she might have had hidden
plans when they married. After being with her for a long time he grew
affection to her but was cold in the beginning of their relationship.
I beg my wife to forgive all the pain which she suffered for me, and the
sorrows which I may have caused her in the course of our union; and she may feel
sure that I hold nothing against her, if she has anything with which to reproach
herself.-King Louis XIV Last testament

- Is the nature of the document important to appreciate its content?

King Louiss last testament drew a different conclusion and
different perspective of what was happening at that moment. His
testament gives us insight of his thoughts and how rational he was. His
testament shall be important for history and shows his correlation with
the revolution. This document helped the
He was there at the wrong place at the wrong time Eye Witness to history
Impression people had on him. He had hope for his children and their
future and asked his wife to forgive him. Yet later on his wife was killed
and his heir died from illness. Also in the phrase
I exhort my son to remember he owes himself wholly to the happiness of his
fellow citizens; that he can make the people happy only by ruling according to laws:
but at the same time to remember that a king cannot make himself respected and do
the good that is in his heart unless he has the necessary authority, and that
otherwise, being tangled up in his activities and not inspiring respect, he is more
harmful than useful. -King Louis XIV Last testament
He is giving his son wisdom from his past experience. The king though he
might have had good intentions was considered an indecisive king by
many, perhaps he wanted his son to be a stronger ruler than he was.
Usually we see leaders and think of them as unfeeling, yet this document
show how worried he was over his loved ones and his country.
- Who is the audience the author is addressing?

Alejandra Vega
September 26, 2015

It was written specifically for his family and to the authorities (and
perhaps the people of France as well). During the time His Highness was
writing this testament he probably thought no one would receive it
besides someone close to him. The way he wrote the document feels very
intimate, almost as if he is saying goodbye and letting France know his
will. He mentions his sister aunts brothers and of course his wife and
children. He also mentions who he wants to give his belonging to which is
Clery.

I pity with all my heart our brothers who may be in error but I do not claim to judge
them
-King Louis XIV Last testament

- What are the main points of this document? Why was this document
written?
The main points are his resolve and commitment to the church. His
adoration for his family and friends. He wanted to get across not only his
feelings but his wishes for the future as well. From everything he wrote
you can tell it was his way of putting his thoughts into words. From
expressing his innocence to voicing his fears, he wrote this document to
let people know of the situation and what to do afterwards or what he
hopes they could do afterwards. Even though Louis XVI was beheaded to
mark an end to monarchy he was still a normal human worried about his
family and loved ones.

-may they in their hearts enjoy the tranquility which their way of thinking gives
them.-- -King Louis XIV Last testament

Alejandra Vega
September 26, 2015

Louis by todays standards was incorrectly punished and didnt deserve

death penalty. Louis XVI to me seems like a person with high morals and
only wanted to gain acceptance from his people. He made his point pretty
clear; he had a clean conscious, was making mends with God and
everyone who he spoke fondly of on his testament. Even though France
lost a king who was innocent, they gained a democracy.
Sources:
"The Execution of Louis XVI, 1793," EyeWitness to History,
www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1999).
The Last Will and Testament of Louis XVI, Andrew cusack,
www.Andrewcusack.com
Scandal and the queen, Elena Maria