I have always felt that Maxime de la Rocheterie's description of Marie-Antoinette is one of the best: She was not a guilty woman, neither was she a saint; she was an upright, charming woman, a little frivolous, somewhat impulsive, but always pure; she was a queen, at times ardent in her fancies for her favourites and thoughtless in her policy, but proud and full of energy; a thorough woman in her winsome ways and tenderness of heart, until she became a martyr. ( The Life of Marie-Antoinette by M. de la Rocheterie, 1893) Marie-Antoinette spent the first fourteen years of her life in Austria, worshiping in Rococo churches and listening to the music of Haydn and the Italian composers. Architecture and music in that time and place celebrated the glory of God in the beauty of His creation. As Queen, her desire to promote beauty around her, especially in the lives of those whom she loved, was an outgrowth of the culture in which she was raised. She loved theater, acting, o...
What a tragedy!
ReplyDeleteHow must his children have felt! How strange and disordered was the behaviour of his poor wife. She was dressed up, with full make-up and immaculate hair. Only afterwards did she become human and the tears came.
I believe 900+ have complained to the BBC but, for me, it was right to see what this place is all about.
I pray for comfort for the bereaved in their overwhelming sorrow and loss.