Charles X of France

Charles X, King of France and of Navarre (October 9 1757 – November 6 1836) was born at the Palace of Versailles. He was the grandson of Louis XV and his Polish queen, Marie Leszczynska, and youngest son of Louis, dauphin de France, who never reigned, and his German wife Marie-Josèphe of Saxony. He was crowned King of France in 1824 in the cathedral at Reims and reigned until the French Revolution of 1830 when he abdicated rather than become a constitutional monarch. He was the last king of the senior Bourbon line to reign over France.

Early life

As a young prince he was a noted womanizer, popular, well-mannered and entertaining. He struck up a firm friendship with his sister-in-law, Marie Antoinette, and he was part of her social set. His affairs were numerous, and, according to the Comte d'Hezecques, few beauties were cruel to him. Later, he embarked upon a life-long love affair with the beautiful Madame de Polastron, sister of Marie-Antoinette's favourite lady-in-waiting, the Duchesse de Polignac. Madame de Palastron stayed with Charles for the rest of his life. Indiscretion aside, Charles was also extravagant and temperamental; but he was also a witty conversationalist, affectionate and devout.

Related Topics:
Womanizer - Marie Antoinette - Madame de Polastron - Duchesse de Polignac - Madame de Palastron - Devout

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However, Charles's unpopularity was such that he was unjustly accused of having seduced Marie-Antoinette (something which many were prepared to believe because of his scandalous love-life). As part of Marie-Antoinette's social set, Charles often appeared opposite her in their own private theatre at the Petit Trianon. They were both said to be very talented amateur actors; with Marie-Antoinette playing milkmaids, shepherdesses and country ladies and Charles playing lovers, valets and farmers.

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As a father, his clear favourite was his youngest son, who most closely resembled himself in looks and personality. Relations with his eldest son, Louis-Antoine, were strained as Louis was a quiet, weak and introverted liberal with severe impotence problems and a nervous tic.

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His political awakening started with the first great crisis of the monarchy in 1786, after which he headed the reactionary faction at the court of Louis XVI. Charles supported the removal of the aristocracy's financial privileges, but he was opposed to any reduction in the social privileges enjoyed by either the Church or the nobility. He believed that France's finances should be reformed without the monarchy being overthrown. In his own words, it was "time for repair, not demolition."

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He also enraged the Third Estate (politicians representing the commoners) by objecting to every initiative to increase their voting power in 1789. This prompted criticism from his brother, who accused him of being plus royaliste que le roi ("more royalist than the king").

Related Topics:
Third Estate - 1789

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In conjunction with the Baron de Breteuil, Charles had political alliances arranged to depose the liberal prime minister, Jacques Necker. These plans backfired when Charles attempted to secure Necker's dismissal on July 11th without Breteuil's knowledge, much earlier than they had originally intended. It was the beginning of a decline in his political alliance with Breteuil, which ended in mutual loathing.

Related Topics:
Baron de Breteuil - Jacques Necker

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