Have you ever.....
~ said something that was repeated out of context?
~ done something really stupid, then, felt remorse
~ felt trapped by circumstance
~ been sheltered by someone close to you
~ lost a pet or a person you loved
~ been embarrassed by a "wardrobe malfunction"
~ given up your very identity to please others
(Gee, I think that's called becoming a wife & mother!)
If you have had any or all of these daunting, almost dangerous, life situations, you might empathize with the last queen of France.
As I have been ignorant of the tragedy of her life, it seems I should own up to my own personal culpability, my personal faux pas.
Since I was born on July 14, which is a national holiday in France, it felt like I was born on a special day.
In truth? I had always wished that I had been born on July 4. If I was born on a day other than July 4th, I can fantasize that I was! The rationale was that I could, at least, claim the French equivalent of July 4th which is Bastille Day. The French equivalent.
Oh, the ignorance which I, now, must claim.
The thought processes were that I love The United States of America! I love the color combo of red, white & blue, the national colors of my beloved homeland!
Love for those colors prompted me to paint my son's bedroom in red & white stripes 3/4 up. Then, the rest in blue, extending up to the ceiling onto the ceiling. Glow in the dark stars were placed on the ceiling for my son's delight. He and I had assembled fighter jets for fun. Those jets were suspended on clear cable thread from the ceiling.
I hope he felt the love I put into his bedroom decor.
As my Grandfather wished for a close relationship with me, he encouraged me to choose an important figure from history that he and I could study together. It became a bonding point.
Had I chosen La Reine Marie Antoinette, my ignorance of her tragic life might have been less. Less is more? 😎
The figure chosen was Queen Victoria, queen of the UK for 63 years. No queen had used the name, Victoria, before. She was, most definitely an original. There has not been another like her, since her reign of 63 years, starting at age 18. She accomplished so much!
As my beloved Grandfather had numerous genetic ties to the UK, this choice seemed to be favorably logical.
In place of that, had I chosen Marie Antoinette there would have been less personal gloating, mild gloating is still gloating. Gloating in ignorance is still gloating.
Je m'excuse, madame, je voulais ne pas faire.
(A re-phrase of some of Marie Antoinette's last words)
When someone or something crosses my path, enters my orbit, catches my attention, it piques my curiosity. The deeply curious facet of my nature spurs me to investigate whomever or whatever is there.
The French language appeals to me along with French fashion. French chocolate, French culture, French art, French music. Does French kissing figure in there? Maybe. 💞💞💞💞
The movie about Marie Antoinette's life, starring Kirsten Dunst, was bought for a friend as a birthday gift. Sadly, my friend passed on before it could be given. I left the DVD in its wrapped & sealed condition for several years even as I moved from Colorado to Texas. The feeling was that if I opened it, it was the last tie to my beloved friend, would be permanently broken.
As irrational as this sounds, being a sentimental plus very feeling person, it was how I truly felt. When I had a day of difficulties, a trifle to shift my focus became necessary. It was time.
The movie was just what I needed! It was fascinating, opulent, funny, romantic, beautiful! With the oh so sexy Jamie Dornan (50 Shades of Grey) playing the very celebrated Swedish Diplomat, Count Axel von Fersen. There was a definitive eye candy factor.
Along with the "pick me up" being sought, it awakened a curiosity about La Reina Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France.
It has been almost 230 years since her untimely death. She is more beloved, now, just as revered. Her enigma is a fascinating one.
The movie's whetting of my appetite, led me to explore on several levels. The French tea, created by Nina's of Paris can still be bought, today.
La the' de Marie Antoinette
Originally named The Queen's Secret Garden, recreated by The House of Lubin following the original formula, as Black Jade. The queen had the scent in a small black jade vial with her at all times.
The luxurious chocolates created just for Marie Antoinette.
The Queens Chocolates by Debauve et Gallais still around today.
Some very interesting facts that were discovered? Like the petals of a rose that unfold to reveal the heart, her tragic life unfolded before me.
1.Just as Queen Victoria never said "Let them eat cake", Queen Marie Antoinette never said, "We are not amused". See what I did?
2. She was born in Austria as an Austrian Archduchess. Her name at birth was Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna Archduchess of Austria.
3. She was taken to France to be the bride of the dauphin Louis XVI when she was still 14 years of age, soon after she celebrated her 15th year of age. Louis XVI was only 15, the marriage ceremony was done by proxy, in Austria, on April 19, 1770 with her brother standing in as the groom. The deal needed to be sealed soon to allay the prospect of more warring on both sides between the 2 countries.
(DANG! That was normal at the time, it does seem like it's a tad odd)
4. The ceremonial wedding took place at The Palace of Versailles on May 16, 1770. The wedding gown was too small for Marie Antoinette, so, she had to walk toward the altar, to meet her actual husband to be, with the dress being opened at the back, showing her undergarments to the entire court. Awkward first impression.
5. The celebration after the marriage ceremony in Versailles had 5,000 guests on the guest list, lasted for 2 weeks. They partied in opulent fashion, completely oblivious that the French people were starving to death outside the heavy gates of the palace.
6. Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI knew nothing of the relations that were supposed to occur betwixt husbands & wives. Their marriage was not consummated until they had been married for 7 years.
7. When she married, Marie Antoinette had lived in wealth, in abundance of everything from the time she was born. She was a teenage girl who had the world laid at her feet. She had the green light to party like Rock-ette Star! She did what most teenage girls (or guys) would do if they found themselves in a similar situation.
8. Marie Antoinette was a sort of pioneer. She searched for ways to connect with Louis XVI, horseback riding was the chosen venue.
She was told that riding horses was too dangerous, so, she rode donkeys at first.
Later, she wanted to ride horses. It was thought that aristocratic ladies should only ride on a side saddle. The long dresses, multiple layers of petticoats etc, made it very cumbersome. She had breeches made that were similar to a man's. Wearing these breeches with fewer & lighter petticoats, she rode astride, with her legs on both sides of the horse. This was breaking new ground, it was also a bit scandalous as most ladies would be stopped from doing this.
Now, you see, just a petite glimpse into Marie Antoinette's life, her world. It's a personal belief of mine that she was a victim of a tragic life. The wheels had been set into motion before she was born.
Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14, every year, in France, marks the celebration of the French people being freed from the excesses of their Monarchy. It freed them from heavy taxes, sky rocketing costs of food, mainly meat and bread.
The French Resolution also caused the arrests of the monarchy. They were certainly judged as guilty before they had even went to trial. First, Louis XVI was tried, convicted, beheaded in public via the new invention of the guillotine which was a fast death, thought to be more humane. Marie Antoinette's children were taken from her, months later, living in captivity, she, also was tried, convicted, publicly executed. A guilty verdict was certain, the trial was a formality.
After learning as much as I have of these unfortunate monarchs who were secluded away from common people in Versailles? It has caused a change in my attitude toward sharing my birthday with the bloody French Revolution outcome of Bastille Day, July 14.
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