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She contributed a lot of money to welfare and the needy, as did Louis XVI: At the fireworks celebrating the marriage of the young prince and princess in May 1774, there was a stampede in which many people were killed. Louis and Antoinette gave all of their private spending money for a year to relieve the suffering of the victims and their families. Marie-Antoinette's reputation for sweetness and mercy became even more entrenched in 1774, when as the new Queen she asked that the people be relieved of a tax called "The Queen's belt," customary at the beginning of each reign. "Belts are no longer worn," she said. Louis XVI often visited the poor in their homes and villages, distributing alms from his own purse. During the difficult winter of 1776, the King oversaw the distribution of firewood among the peasants. Louis was responsible for many humanitarian reforms. He went incognito to hospitals, prisons, and factories so as to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions in which the people lived and worked. The King and Queen were patrons of the Maison Philanthropique, a society founded by Louis XVI which helped the aged, blind and widows. The Queen taught her daughter Madame Royale to wait upon peasant children, to sacrifice her Christmas gifts so as to buy fuel and blankets for the destitute, and to bring baskets of food to the sick. Marie-Antoinette took her children with her on her charitable visits. The Queen adopted three poor children to be raised with her own, as well overseeing the upbringing of several needy children, whose education she paid for, while caring for their families.
Marie Antoinette established a home for unwed mothers, the "Maternity Society," mentioned above.
There was food for the hungry distributed every day at Versailles, at the King's command. During the famine of 1787-88, the royal family sold much of their flatware to buy grain for the people, and themselves ate the cheap barley bread in order to be able to give more to the hungry.
Every Sunday, Marie-Antoinette would personally take up a collection for the poor, which the courtiers resented since they preferred to have the money on hand for gambling. The queen supported several impoverished families from her own purse.
Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette contributed a great deal throughout their reign to the care of orphans and foundlings. They patronized foundling hospitals, which the Queen often visited with her children.
The king and queen did not see helping the poor as anything extraordinary, but as a basic Christian duty. The royal couple's almsgiving stopped only with their incarceration in the Temple in August 1792, for then they had nothing left to give but their lives.
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What was Marie Antoinettes name after the execution of her husband Louis xvl widow?
After the execution of Louis XVI she was called widow Capet.
Was Marie antoinettes husband gay?
Probably not. He was a little odd, especially around women, but he did conceive 4 children with Marie Antoinette. He never had a mistress either male or female.
Who is Marie Antoinettes parents?
The father of Marie-Antoinette, queen consort of France, was Francis I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (back then: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, parts of Czech Republic, parts of Italy and parts of Poland). He died on the 18th of August 1765 in the Austrian palace of Innsbruck.
Did Marie Antoinettes children survive the revolution?
Louis XVI and Marie-Antionette had two daughters and two sons. Two of these died before the Revolution. The two royal children alive during the Revolution were Louis the Dauphin, heir to the Throne, and Marie-Therese. Marie-Therese and Louis were separated from their parents when they were imprisoned (both their parents were put on trial and executed). The Dauphin died in prison; it is not clear whether it was a deliberate murder or whether he simply died of illness in the unsanitary conditions of the prison. He was never put on trial. Louis was later known as "Louis XVII" despite the fact that he was never crowned as King. A number of people attempted to impersonate him in later life and claim the French throne. Marie-Therese survived the Revolution and died in 1851.
Who were Marie Therese Charlotte's kids?
Marie Therese Charlotte was the daughter of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. She never had any cildren.
What were Marie Antoinettes goals?
Her Main Goal was to become a writer
What were Marie Antoinett's last words?
Marie Antoinettes' last words were "Pardon me Sir, i meant not to do it" to an executioner whose foot she accidently stepped on.
Marie Antoinettes friendship when she was young?
Before she lived in France, her best friend was her older sister, Maria Carolina.
What was Marie Antoinettes name after the execution of her husband Louis xvl widow?
After the execution of Louis XVI she was called widow Capet.
How did Marie Antoinettes child Louis xv11 die?
He died of a scrofulous affection of long standing. He was held prisoner and was abused in horrible ways.
Queen Marie Antoinettes personal painter?
She had several artists paint her, but her most favorite one was madame Elisabeth Louise Vigée le Brun.
Was Marie antoinettes husband gay?
Probably not. He was a little odd, especially around women, but he did conceive 4 children with Marie Antoinette. He never had a mistress either male or female.
What has the author Clara Tschudi written?
Clara Tschudi has written: 'Elizabeth' 'Euge nie, Empress of the French' 'Marie Antoinettes ungdom' -- subject(s): Fiction 'Marie Antoinette og revolutionen' -- subject(s): Fiction, History 'Augusta, empress of Germany' 'Napoleon's mother'
What are Marie Curie's at least 3 major contributions?
nuclear
Who were some of the famous people victims of the guillotine?
Among several hundreds some famous were king Louis XVI and his wife queen Marie Antoinette
What are the contributions of Marie Curie and Pierre Curie?
they discovered more radium
Marie curie's contributions to science?
Marie Curie's most notable accomplishment was discovering the element radium. She did not know how dangerous radium was and often carried it with her in her pocket.
