Louis XVI was King of France and Navarre between 1774 and 1789 and King of the France between 1789 and 1792. Born in Versailles, on August 23, 1754, today we bring you some interesting facts about this eccentric and controversial monarch.
His execution marked the end of the absolutist monarchy in France
He was arrested during the Insurrection of August 10, 1792, tried by the National Convention, found guilty of treason and sentenced to the guillotine on January 21, 1793.
The curse of the 21st
On the recommendation of his astrologer, Louis XVI of France avoided doing things on the 21st of every month. However, despite the recommendation, he could not prevent that on September 21, 1792 the monarchy was abolished from France, and that on January 21, 1793, he was sentenced to death and executed.
An unconsummated marriage
Louis XVI of France and his wife Marie Antoinette did not consummate their marriage until seven years after the wedding.
Luis had phimosis, that is, he could not remove the foreskin and expose the glans. Intercourse was very painful for her and he was unable to penetrate.
Both young and ignorant, they did nothing to solve the problem. Luis, who was fearful, refused to be circumcised. In the end, the need for the kings to have descendants, forced Luis to have surgery.
Loyal servants
After the execution of Louis XVI, all his servants, the florist and his loyal hunt took their own lives.
Indulging the whims of Marie Antoinette
Influenced by his wife, the king promulgated “the decree of the handkerchief” which obliged all French to wear a handkerchief of the same shape and with the same width and length, that is, they had to be square by royal decree .
She complained bitterly that each person wore a different pocket square, some were round, others triangular, some with trapezoid shapes, different geometric shapes … it was too chaos for her refined aesthetic taste and Marie Antoinette decided that square handkerchiefs were the best. More convenient and dynamic.
Lover of books and geography
One of his greatest passions was reading and geography. The year of his coronation, he had a library full of history and geography books. In the Palace of Versailles one of his world maps is still preserved.
Man of great appetite
Louis XVI had a voracious appetite: A typical breakfast could include 4 chicken cutlets, 5 eggs, and ham, all accompanied by at least a pint of champagne.
