Thérèse...in jeweled coronet and a cloud of white plumes, either offended by her frigid manner, or elicited tears by those who saw in her person the chaste austerity of Saint Radegonde and other holy Frankish queens of old.
~from Madame RoyaleShareby Elena Maria Vidal
4 comments:
I never thought about it before but the comparison of Madame Royale to St. Radegunde (whose family was killed by the man she was forcibly married to) has some points that are particularly apt. Especially their shared iron will, ability to withstand threats and humiliations, and the fact that among the populace they were either disdained or adored. There was never any middle ground for either woman.
Thank you for understanding, Jack, that is exactly why I made the comparison.
I have tried to imagine myself if as a young child I had witnessed and suffered all Marie Therese had suffered. I cannot conceive of the horror or the pain. I would have withdrawn from people and been very aloof and distant. What is amazing is that with all she suffered Her Royal Highness was generous, kind and compassionate to all she met. The story of Madame Royale is truly one of the most amazing lives that survived the horrors of the revolution.
Lara, it truly is an amazing story of survival!
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