Could Marie Antoinette have avoided her fate?

by Fabianzzz
tezzmaniandvil

I suppose that depends on what point in time you take. If you mean the trial, then the answer is most likely no. By that time she had been a prisoner for some time, at mercy from whoever had the power in France. By april 1793, that was Robespierre. When they finally decided to put her on trial, there wasn't much she could have done. Her lawyers were given only one day to prepare her defence, this while she was accused of treason. She was accused of pretty much everything they could throw against her, even repeating the accusations she organised orgies at Versailles, but in the end she was found guilty of conspiracy, depleting the treasury and of consorting with the enemy.

Also, despite everything that was being said about Marie Antoinette ruling the country and influencing the king, in reality she had little to no power. She might not have made herself popular by some of her actions, but the things that made her so unpopular, like the Diamond Necklace Affair and the financial crisis were way beyond her doing. By the time the Revolution started, her reputation was destroyed. Marie Antoinette and the king did try to flee, but due to a miscommunication were discovered near Varennes. After that, they were guarded night and day. So, concluding, I'd say that the answer is no. She could not have avoided her fate, mostly because near the end, her fate was no longer in her hands.

A very good biography of Marie Antoinette has been written by Antonia Fraser. It explains her life while debunking most of the rumours about the Queen that were false and awknowledging the ones that were most likely true.