“Discover the life and reign of Charles X, the last Bourbon king of France (1824–1830). Explore his conservative policies, role in the July Revolution, exile, and legacy in shaping French history.”
Charles X
Charles X (1757-1836) was the King of France from 1824 to 1830. He was born on October 9, 1757, in Versailles, France, and was the third son of King Louis XV. He became the King of France after the death of his older brother, King Louis XVIII.
Charles X was known for his strong belief in the absolute power of the monarchy and his support for the Catholic Church. He made many controversial decisions during his reign that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
One of his major acts as king was the publication of the July Ordinances in July 1830. These ordinances limited the freedom of the press, curtailed the right of assembly, and extended censorship of the press. The July Ordinances were seen as an attack on the liberties of the French people, and they sparked widespread outrage and opposition.
The opposition to Charles X’s policies grew, and in July 1830, the July Revolution broke out. The revolution was led by liberal and nationalist groups who demanded the removal of Charles X from the throne. After a few days of street fighting, Charles X was forced to abdicate and flee to England.
He was succeeded by his cousin, Louis-Philippe, who ruled as the King of the French from 1830 to 1848. Charles X spent the rest of his life in exile in England, where he died on November 6, 1836. 0 0 0.
Charles X: Detailed Biography
Introduction
Charles X (1757-1836) was the last Bourbon king of France, who ruled before the monarchy was permanently abolished. His reign was marked by attempts to restore absolute monarchy, which clashed with the liberal ideals of revolutionary France. His policies eventually led to his abdication and the establishment of the July Monarchy under Louis-Philippe.
Early Life
Charles X was born Charles-Philippe, Count of Artois, on October 9, 1757, at the Palace of Versailles. He was the youngest son of Louis Ferdinand, Dauphin of France, and Maria Josepha of Saxony. As a member of the French royal family, Charles enjoyed the privileges of aristocratic life and was known for his luxurious and carefree lifestyle.
From an early age Charles showed conservative tendencies, supporting the traditional authority of the monarchy and the Catholic Church. This ideological stance influenced his later reign.
Role During the French Revolution
When the French Revolution unfolded in 1789, Charles fled France to escape the growing hostility toward the monarchy. He became a prominent figure among the émigrés, aristocrats who sought to restore the monarchy by supporting foreign interventions against revolutionary France. Charles’s staunch opposition to the revolution solidified his reputation as a reactionary figure.
Return to France
After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814, Charles returned to France during the Bourbon Restoration. During the reign of his older brother, King Louis XVIII, Charles exerted significant influence. He aligned himself with the ultra-monarchists, a faction that advocated a return to pre-revolutionary monarchical principles.
Reign as King (1824-1830)
Charles X ascended the throne on September 16, 1824, after the death of Louis XVIII. His reign was characterized by an unwavering commitment to restoring the traditional power of the monarchy and the Catholic Church.
Religious Policies: Charles tried to strengthen the position of the Catholic Church in France. He passed laws compensating emigrants who lost property during the Revolution and supported church control over education. This alienated many liberals and republicans.
Domestic Policies: His government suppressed dissent and restricted freedom of the press. Charles’ administration became increasingly unpopular, especially among the growing middle class.
Colonial Ambitions: Charles launched a military expedition into Algeria in 1830, marking the beginning of French colonial rule in North Africa. Although the campaign was initially successful, it failed to divert attention from domestic unrest.
July Revolution*
By 1830, widespread discontent with Charles’s policies culminated in the July Revolution. His attempt to enact reactionary ordinances such as dissolving the Chamber of Deputies and curtailing freedom of the press triggered mass protests in Paris.
Faced with growing resistance and the defection of his military supporters, Charles abdicated the throne on August 2, 1830, in favor of his grandson, Henri, Duke of Bordeaux. However, the throne was instead passed to Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orleans, beginning the July Monarchy.
Exile and death
After his abdication, Charles fled to Britain and later settled in Austria. He spent his final years in relative anonymity, living in Prague and Görlitz, where he died on November 6, 1836. His death marked the end of the direct influence of the Bourbon monarchy in France.
Conclusion
Charles X is often remembered as a symbol of resistance to the liberal changes that swept Europe during the 19th century. His inability to adapt to France’s evolving political and social landscape ultimately led to his downfall. Although his reign was brief and tumultuous, it highlighted the lasting tensions between monarchy and democracy in post-revolutionary France.
Charles X: Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles-Philippe, Count of Artois |
| Born | October 9, 1757, Versailles, France |
| Died | November 6, 1836, Gorizia, Austrian Empire |
| Title | King of France (1824–1830) |
| Predecessor | Louis XVIII |
| Successor | Louis-Philippe (July Monarchy) |
| Key Roles | Leader of émigrés, ultra-royalist advocate, King during Bourbon Restoration |
| French Revolution | Fled France, supported efforts to restore the monarchy |
| Major Policies | – Strengthened Catholic Church’s influence |
| – Compensated émigrés for property losses | |
| – Suppressed press and public dissent | |
| Colonial Ambition | Launched the conquest of Algeria in 1830 |
| Downfall | Overthrown during the July Revolution (1830) |
| Abdication | August 2, 1830, in favor of his grandson (Duke of Bordeaux) |
| Exile | Lived in Britain and Austria |
| Legacy | Last Bourbon monarch; marked by failure to adapt to France’s liberal shifts |
Frequently Asked Questions on Charles X
1. Who was Charles X?
Charles X (1757–1836) was the last Bourbon king of France, reigning from 1824 to 1830. He was known for his conservative policies and attempts to restore the absolutist monarchy, which eventually led to his abdication during the July Revolution.
2. What were Charles X’s major policies?
Charles X strengthened the influence of the Catholic Church, compensated emigrants for property lost during the French Revolution, and imposed restrictions on freedom of the press and public dissent, which alienated liberals and republicans.
3. What caused the downfall of Charles X?
His reactionary policies, including the July Ordinances that dissolved the elected Chamber of Deputies and limited freedom of the press, sparked widespread protests during the July Revolution of 1830, forcing him to abdicate the throne.
4. What happened after Charles X abdicated?
After his abdication, Charles X fled France and lived in exile in Britain and later Austria. The French crown passed to Louis-Philippe, who established the July Monarchy.
5. What is the legacy of Charles X?
Charles X is remembered as a reactionary monarch whose inability to adapt to France’s liberal and democratic changes marked the end of the Bourbon monarchy and highlighted the lasting tensions between monarchy and republicanism.
Sources:
- “A History of France” by Jules Michelet
- “The French Revolution” by Albert Mathiez
- “The July Monarchy: A Political History of France, 1830-1848” by H.A.C. Collingham
- “The Oxford History of Modern Europe” edited by T.C.W. Blanning.
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book ‘Brief Biographies of Eminent Monarchs‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons
- Brief Biographies of Ancient Thinkers and Writers..
Additional Searches:
- Famous Kings and Queens
- Living Biographies of Famous Rulers
- Biography of Elizabeth II
- Most Famous Kings in History
