poetry jam
they portrayed her like this
smug and indulgent
in fact
she was devout and kind
demonised by her enemies
"let them eat cake"
she did not say
to the starving peasants
qu'ils mangent de la brioche
(let them eat brioche)
she did say
brioche is egg based bread
highly nutritious
by french law to be kept at the same price
as the cheapest bread
the bakers were not making enough profit
so kept brioche in short supply
deliberately contributing to the famine
saying goodbye to her children
before her public execution
the crowd yelled for more
as her bloodied head rolled round in the dirt
to this day her name still mud
her name still wrongly synonymous
with cruelty and lack of compassion
Marie Antoinette Last Queen of France
I sometimes wonder whoever had heard her utter those words...except the historians 100yrs.junior to her....this one's a great take on the prompt...
ReplyDeleteinteresting...is that your interpretation of it...or is that reality...i have always heard the cake quote...if so that is a very interesting fact...and def changes the story...
ReplyDeleteGreat! I sometimes wonder .... History is so interesting. Great write on prompt!
ReplyDeleteThe French Revolution is a blot on European history. Of course, they were set an example by the English who were the first to commit unjustifiable regicide.
ReplyDeleteI loved this, especially the glimpse of Kirstin Dunst. The royalty then had no idea what was going on in the real world, much like the politicians of today!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful tribute to a much maligned lady. Thanks for setting the record straight.
ReplyDeleteI did not know the whole story. What a compelling (and woeful) bit of history - skillfully penned.
ReplyDeleteGoodness one does may not be apparent and gets easily forgotten when mob rule gets supreme. Nicely Rallentanda!
ReplyDeleteHank
Poor Marie ... she really was bashed by the revolutionaries. Yes, somewhat frivolous because of her place in society and her upbringing, but a good mother stuck between a rock and a hard place in history. A good piece ... well done.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting take and perspective, it is frightening how we always want to find somebody to blame. Well written.
ReplyDeleteOh, it would be hard to resist those cakes!!
ReplyDeleteI read about this in our history books. Somehow I feel bad for her. Well penned.
ReplyDeleteI see my other comment did not come through. I had not heard this story before of the famous "let them eat cake" comment. Poor queen.
ReplyDeleteMob rule is deplorable, however, extremes of poverty and wealth are not healthy for society either. The trouble is finding a happy medium with justice for all.
ReplyDelete