The Execution of Charlotte Corday | French Revolution | Early Modern Executions | Punishments

Описание: Charlotte was born into a minor aristocratic family that faced financial hardship following her mother's death and her father's struggles. She was sent to a convent in Caen, Normandy, where she was educated and exposed to Enlightenment ideals. It was during this time that she became deeply influenced by the works of philosophers like Voltaire and Rousseau, as well as the revolutionary ideals sweeping France.
By 1793, the French Revolution had entered its radical phase. The Reign of Terror, spearheaded by figures like Marat, Robespierre, and Danton, claimed thousands of lives. Charlotte, a sympathizer of the moderate Girondins, viewed Marat as a dangerous radical whose incendiary rhetoric and actions perpetuated chaos and bloodshed. Convinced that Marat’s death would save the Republic, she resolved to take matters into her own hands.
The Assassination of Marat
On July 13, 1793, Charlotte traveled to Paris, carrying a kitchen knife concealed beneath her clothing. She secured an audience with Marat under the pretense of providing him with intelligence about Girondin sympathizers in Normandy. Marat, suffering from a debilitating skin condition, often conducted his affairs from a medicinal bath.
Charlotte’s visit culminated in a shocking act. As Marat recorded names for future arrests, she plunged the knife into his chest, piercing his lung, aorta, and heart. Marat died almost instantly, his blood mingling with the water. Charlotte neither fled nor resisted arrest, declaring her actions as necessary to prevent further tyranny.
Trial and Execution
Charlotte’s trial began on July 16, 1793, before the Revolutionary Tribunal. Unapologetic, she defended her actions as a patriotic duty, famously stating, “I killed one man to save 100,000.” Her calm demeanor and striking appearance captivated those who witnessed the proceedings.
Found guilty of treason, Charlotte was sentenced to death by guillotine. On July 17, 1793, she was executed at the Place de la Révolution in Paris. Legend has it that after her head was severed, the executioner’s assistant slapped her cheek, prompting observers to claim her face flushed with indignation even in death—though this is likely apocryphal.

early modern executions
woman executed
women executions
executions in French Revolution
Europe executions
Medieval executions

I don't own any image or video in this video, all images or videos are the property of their respected owners.
• We use images and content in accordance with the YouTube Fair Use copyright guidelines
• Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states: “Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.”
• This video could contain certain copyrighted video clips, pictures, or photographs that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above.

#punishments
#torture
#history
#darkhistory
#medieval