Kdo je hodil z Axel von Fersen the Younger?

Hans Axel von Fersen (Swedish: [hɑːns ˈǎksɛl fɔn ˈfæ̌ʂːɛn]; 4 September 1755 – 20 June 1810), also known as Axel von Fersen the Younger and as Axel de Fersen in France, was a Swedish count, military officer, courtier, ambassador, Marshal and Lord of the Realm. He gained international renown for his close association with Queen Marie Antoinette of France and his prominent involvement in the French Revolution.

Born into one of Sweden’s wealthiest and most influential noble families, von Fersen was raised in an environment shaped by French culture and courtly traditions. He received a thorough military education, travelled extensively throughout Europe, and served as an aide-de-camp in the French Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is most widely remembered for his close and often debated relationship with Marie Antoinette, which some historians believe developed into a romantic affair. Von Fersen became a trusted confidant of the French royal family and played a pivotal role in organizing and executing their ill-fated flight to Varennes in June 1791.

Following the outbreak of the French Revolution and the execution of the royal family, von Fersen continued to act as a diplomat on behalf of Kings Gustav III and Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden, working to preserve ties with the French monarchy and support its restoration. Returning to Sweden in the 1790s, he held several high-ranking positions, including Marshal of the Realm and Chancellor of Uppsala University. His life came to a violent end in June 1810, when he was killed by a lynch mob in Stockholm amid false rumors implicating him in the sudden death of Charles August, Crown Prince of Sweden. Subsequent investigations cleared him of all suspicion, and he was buried with honor. Von Fersen’s life—particularly his ties to Marie Antoinette—has been widely portrayed in historical and fictional works, including films, television series, and stage productions.

Marija Antoaneta, Marija Antonija Jožefa Ivana Habsburško-Lotarinška, * 2. november 1755, Dunaj, † 16. oktober 1793, Pariz.

Rojena kot habsburška nadvojvodinja je kasneje postala kraljica Francije in Navare. Pri petnajstih letih je postala soproga Ludvika XVI. in je bila tudi mati »poslednjemu« francoskemu dofenu, Ludviku XVII. Sicer je najbolj poznana po svojem legendarnem (nekateri moderni zgodovinarji pravijo, da je to veliko pretiravanje in pravzaprav propaganda revolucionarjev) razkošju, ter po svojem nesrečnem koncu: obtožena za veleizdajo je sredi vladavine terorja bila usmrčena z giljotino na vrhuncu francoske revolucije oktobra 1793.

V času svojega življenja in po svoji smrti je postala simbol vsega dobrega in po drugi strani vsega slabega, povezanega z monarhijo in kraljevo družino. Slednje mišljenje je prevladovalo v preteklosti in tako ostaja še danes. Ta predstava se je ustvarila in širila pred francosko revolucijo in se štela za verodostojen in nevtralen opis Marije Antoanete vse do 20. stoletja. Izjema so bili francoski in drugi plemiči, ki so jo dolgo časa obravnavali kot mučenico. Tak opis se je oblikoval v času vladavine Napoleona Bonaparteja in se je obdržal čez skoraj celo 19. stoletje. Že ob koncu stoletja so ta opis bistveno ublažile biografije sodobnih avtorjev, ki Marijo Antoaneto opisujejo v veliko blažji svetlobi.

Čenče in revolucionarni časopisi so pripeljali do nastanka anekdot in citatov pripisanih Mariji Antoaneti. Najbolj znani in najpogosteje omenjeni rek - za katerega pa ni dokazano, da ga je izrekla - je: "Če nimajo kruha, naj pač jedo potico" (fr. Qu'ils mangent de la brioche).