Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon Season 1 Episode 15 The King's Flight

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon is a historical documentary series exploring the tumultuous time period of the late 18th and early 19th centuries in France. In season 1 episode 15, titled "The King's Flight," viewers are taken on a journey through one of the most dramatic and decisive moments of the French Revolution - the attempted escape of King Louis XVI from Paris on June 20, 1791.

The episode sets the stage with an overview of the tense atmosphere in France at the time. Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, had become increasingly unpopular due to their extravagant spending, perceived indifference to the suffering of the lower classes, and political missteps. The National Assembly, a legislative body formed in the wake of the Revolution, had recently passed a constitution that limited the king's powers and established a constitutional monarchy. However, radical elements within the Revolution were pushing for the complete abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.

Against this backdrop, the episode then delves into the planning and execution of the King's Flight. Louis XVI and his family had been under virtual house arrest in the Tuileries Palace in Paris since October 1789. However, the king had recently become aware of a plan to help him escape to the eastern fortress of Montmédy, where he could regroup with loyalist forces and potentially launch a counter-revolutionary campaign.

The escape plan was meticulously planned, with the king, queen, and their two young children disguised as servants and traveling in a carriage with a false bottom. Their destination was to be the northeastern city of Metz, where they would meet up with supporters who would help them continue on to Montmédy.

The episode then follows the harrowing journey of the royal family as they make their way towards the border. Along the way, they encounter a number of obstacles and challenges, including suspicion from local authorities and roadblocks set up by Revolution supporters. Despite these setbacks, the royal party manages to make it to Varennes, a town just a few miles from the border.

It is at this point that the escape plot is foiled. A local postmaster recognizes the king from his portrait on a banknote and alerts the authorities. A group of officers is dispatched to Varennes, where they surround the carriage and arrest the king.

The episode then explores the aftermath of the King's Flight. Louis XVI's attempted escape enraged many Revolutionaries who saw it as an act of betrayal. The National Assembly quickly passed a law suspending the king's powers and launching an investigation into the failed escape. The king and his family were returned to Paris, where they would remain under close watch for the rest of the Revolution.

Overall, "The King's Flight" is a gripping and informative episode of Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon. Through vivid imagery, expert commentary, and a compelling narrative, viewers are transported back in time to one of the pivotal moments in modern European history.