Memories of the Marquise of La Rochejaquelein – Chapter 1

A watercolour and ink illustration of a woman seated alone at a wooden table, viewed from behind. Her auburn hair is tightly braided and falls down the back of a dark, high-necked dress. She sits on a ladder-back chair before a window veiled in gauzy curtains, through which faint autumn light filters. The room is bare and dark-panelled.

In late 18th century France, a young noblewoman and her husband, the Marquis de Lescure, found themselves caught in the whirlwind of revolution. Born into privilege at Versailles, our narrator witnessed firsthand the collapse of the old order as she navigated the changing political landscape. From royalist coalitions to the tense streets of Paris, the couple faced difficult choices between loyalty to the crown and the sweeping tide of change. As they lived a secluded life in the capital, they observed increasing unrest, including the tumultuous events of June 20th and the shocking murder of a priest in their neighborhood. Their story offers a unique perspective on the final days of the French monarchy, capturing the fear, uncertainty, and misplaced hope of a world turned upside down.

Logo of Amateur Voltaire in White
Logo of Amateur Voltaire in White
Logo of Amateur Voltaire in White