Reign of the Miracle King: Changing the Fate of the Bourbon Dynasty

[Emperor Constantine]

Chapter One A Revolution!

​

Liberty Leading the People, A painting commemorating the July Revolution​

In July 1830, what would later be called the July revolution broke out in Paris France against king Charles X. The revolt occurred because of Charles' attempt’s to turn back the clock to the Ancien Régime. The Parisians would not tolerate this, and in their eyes Charles had to go. Charles, in his long life had already experienced two exiles from France and having seen the way his brother had been done away with, realized the only thing he could do to keep his family on the throne was to abdicate. His heir, Louis-Antoine, was next in line to the throne but he too was also unpopular. The only member of the bourbon dynasty that wasn't hated was Charles’ grandson, Henri, the miracle child.​

Born six months after his father’s murder Henri represented the hope of the Bourbon dynasty. And so with a heavy heart Charles signed the document of abdication and the shortest Reign in history began. After twenty minutes the new Louis XIX was convinced to sign the document as well. Just like that, with the stroke of a pin, France's future rested on the shoulders a ten year old boy. The only thing left to do was inform the people of France.​

Charles planned to ask his cousin, Louis-Philippe d’Orleans the Duc d’Orleans, and named Regent of France to inform the Parisians and Chamber of Deputies, a chamber that Charles himself dissolved to proclaim his and his son’s abdication and the ascension of King Henri V. However Charles’s daughter-in-law, Marie-Therese Charlotte, the only surviving child of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and for twenty minutes Queen of France, begs him not to trust d’Orleans. (1)​

“That man”, proclaimed Marie-Therese “Has craved the throne his whole life. His father killed my father (2) and he is just like him. Please, please don’t put our fate in his hands!"​

Charles, while thinking his daughter-in-law’s judgment is clouded, decides to listen to her and sent the news to not only d’Orleans but also to the Chamber of Deputies. When the letter announcing the abdication of Charles X and ascension of Henri V arrives to the Palais Royal, Louis-Philippe initially planned to just announce the abdication, thus increasing his chances to take the throne. However soon more news arrived: Charles sent the document to the Chamber of Deputies as well. Realizing his chance for the throne was dashed, d’Orleans or Lieutenant général du royaume as he was now named headed to the Palais de Bourbon, where the Chamber of Deputies met, and officially proclaimed the abduction of Charles X and Louis XIX and the ascension of Henri V. After a few tense hours of negotiations, the Chamber decided to accepts the document. A new reign and Age had begun.

​

The New Ruler of France Henri V, King of France and Navarre​

1. This is the POD. In otl Marie Therese hated her cousin, and thought he would try to usurp the Throne. However, instead of saying anything against giving d’Orleans such an important task, she stayed silent.


2. This is referring to Louis Philippe’s father, Louis-Philippe II Duc d’Orleans. He famously voted for the execution of Louis XVI at his trial. Marie-Therese never forgot this and subscribed to the philosophy of life father like son

This is my first TL, so any and all feedback is welcomed and would very helpful.

 

[Xgentis]

Interesting really interesting.

 

[Emperor Constantine]

Interesting really interesting.

Thank you!

Question: Does anyone know or have an idea of what the title of an abdicated monarch would be? I can't find any other French monarch that abdicated so I'm not sure if there's precedent or if I should just wing it. Also should Charles X be allowed to remain in France, or no?

 

[Rex]

Thank you!

Question: Does anyone know or have an idea of what the title of an abdicated monarch would be? I can't find any other French monarch that abdicated so I'm not sure if there's precedent or if I should just wing it. Also should Charles X be allowed to remain in France, or no?

Well, when King Edward VI(I?) abdicated in 1936, he had no title by right, but was granted the title of Prince by the new king. The Bourbons may do the same.

And I suspect a life in Belgium is in order, since he was unpopular enough to cause a revolt.

 

[Emperor Constantine]

Well, when King Edward VI(I?) abdicated in 1936, he had no title by right, but was granted the title of Prince by the new king. The Bourbons may do the same.

And I suspect a life in Belgium is in order, since he was unpopular enough to cause a revolt.

Thanks! Two more questions: Would the marquis de Lafayette be willing to become PM of a unity government? I was thinking using him as a unifying element which the various factions could get behind, not being associated with Napoleon, a plus for the Legitimists and a hero of the American and french revolutions, a plus for the moderates and republicans. Second question: for a regency council I was thinking of including the senior members of the House of France, but would the abdicated Louis XIX and his wife be acceptable? I know Louis-Antoine (Louis XIX) was a experienced military commander and his wife was popular as the only living child of Louis XVI so I was going to include both of them, Henri's mother Caroline Dowager Duchesse de Berry, the Prince de Conde and maybe d'Orleans' eldest son Ferdinand Philippe Duc de Chartres , who was 20 in 1830.

 

[Rex]

1) Considering his OTL actions, I believe so.

2) I don't think so. Also, don't forget some good liberals for the Council, to appease Republicans.

 

[Emperor Constantine]

Thank you. Final question who were famous/well known statesmen in france at this timt. I'm trieing to create an all-star ministry, so to speak. I have Lafayatte as PM and Talleyrand as Foreign Minister but i need to fill the following positions.

• Minister of the Interior:
• Minister of Justice
• Minister of Marine and Colonies
• Minister of War:
• Minister of Education and Religious Affairs

 

[Xgentis]

By the way I subscribed to your thread and I am looking forward to your future update. What flag your France will use?

Maybe something like this?

 

[Emperor Constantine]

By the way I subscribed to your thread and I am looking forward to your future update. What flag your France will use?

Maybe something like this?

Sort of. My Idea was this for the National Flag It was actually designed by Henri V in exile as a possible compromise. Sadly he decided against using this flag in the 1870s when offered the throne

And this as the King's personal standard, to fly over whatever palace the king is in residence at.

 

[Xgentis]

Nice I look forward to an update.

 

[Emperor Constantine]

Chapter 2: The Second Régence​

​

The new Regent and de-facto ruler of France Louis-Philippe Duc d’Orleans​

The news of Charles X’s abdication was greeted with cheers and jubilation by the rioting Parisians. However they were not sure how to respond to the ascension of Henri V. On one hand, Henri V was young, only 10 years old, and was almost guaranteed to reign better than his grandfather. On the other hand, he had already been educated by his aunt and grandfather, both notorious ultra-conservatives. This reluctance increased when the regency council was announced. It included Henri V’s mother Princesse Caroline, Dowager Duchesse de Berry, his aunt Marie Therese Charlotte and her husband Louis-Antoine, the short lived Louis XIX who reverted, along with his wife to their previous title Duc and Duchesse d’Angouleme, Louis Henri, Prince of Condé, and in a twist Ferdinand Philippe d’Orleans Duc de Chartres, the young son and Heir of the House of Bourbon-Orleans. In order to placate the unruly mobs, Louis Philippe, or Monseigneur le Regent, also announced the repeal of the Four Ordinances of Saint-Cloud, which triggered the uprising in July, the restoration of the Garde du Nationale and the appointment of a Unity Government, headed by the marquis de Lafayette.

​

The Marquis de Lafayette​

Lafayette, a popular hero of the American and French revolutions was a perfect figurehead. Also included was Talleyrand, the famous diplomat, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Victor Duc de Broglie as Minister of the Interior, Étienne-Denis, duc de Pasquier as Minister of Justice, Francois Guizot as Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Tanneguy Duchâtel as Minister of Finance, Jean de Dieu Soult as Minister of War, Mathieu Molé as Minister of the Navy and the Colonies, and Guillaume Capelle as Minister of Civil engineering, Agriculture and Commerce. Only Guillaume Capelle is an ultra-conservative, a holdover from the previous Polignac ministry. The rest of the Ministers are either drawn from the Constitutional and Doctrinaires parties or share similar views. Both of them are moderate centralists and thus accepted by the Parisians and much of the left and right, with exceptions from the ultra-conservatives on the right, and the Liberals and independents on the left.​

Meanwhile, in the Château de Rambouillet the Royal family and the Court are preparing to return to Paris. The question is what to do with the Former Charles x, now called by his pre-ascension title, the Comte d’Artois. Some say that he did nothing wrong and should return to Paris with the rest of the Court and possibly serve of the Regency Council. Others say should leave the country for his failure to maintain control in the face of a revolt. The question is answered not by the court but by the chamber of Deputies. On August 11th soldiers arrive at Rambouillet to place d’Artois under house arrest at the Chateau de Blois. The news shocks the court and infuriates the Duchesse d’Angouleme, who believes the orders to come directly from d’Orleans. , Shockingly they do, but not for the reason she thinks. In Paris, though the abdication has placated the rioters, rumors have spread that Charles plans to continue his reign as the power behind the throne and there is talk that he should go the way of Louis XVI or be sent into exile. The parliament is deadlocked, with the deputies wanting exile him and the Chamber of Peers wants to allow him to return to Paris. A compromise is reached, where the Comte will remain in France but will be placed under house arrest. Blois is chosen because it was far from Paris and the mobs, was a royal residence, and could double as a fortress, thus reassuring the Parisians and the parliament that Charles won’t be used against the new government. On August 13th the bulk of the Court, including King Henri V, his sister Louise, mother Caroline, and the d’Angoulemes, set out to Saint-Cloud and from there to Paris, while Charles, with his household and some ultra-conservative, or Legitimists as they now referred to themselves, members of court set off to Blois, escorted by about 1200 soldiers.​

​

The Abdicated Charles X bids farewell to the Court​

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Very nice. I like it.

 

[God-Eater of the Marshes]

Quite right. This TL is very interesting, and the imposing portraits of portly Frenchmen make it even better!

 

[DrakeRlugia]

Might consider Cheatubriand to tutor Henri V. He offered his services to Marie-Therese in exile in order to give Henri V a modern education, but she refused and he received a traditional Jesuit education.

The Duke of Broglie, Casimir Périer and the Duke of Dalamatia would make some good ministers in the government.

 

[Xgentis]

Might consider Cheatubriand to tutor Henri V. He offered his services to Marie-Therese in exile in order to give Henri V a modern education, but she refused and he received a traditional Jesuit education.

The Duke of Broglie, Casimir Périer and the Duke of Dalamatia would make some good ministers in the government.

You mean François-René de Chateaubriand?

 

[Janprimus]

Thank you!

Question: Does anyone know or have an idea of what the title of an abdicated monarch would be? I can't find any other French monarch that abdicated so I'm not sure if there's precedent or if I should just wing it. Also should Charles X be allowed to remain in France, or no?

Charles X, before he became king was known as the count of Artois. Maybe after the house of Bourbon-Condé goes extinct, he'll be granted the title duke of Bourbon too, which in 1830 is held by the old prince of Condé (who had survived his son and heir the duke of Enghien).

 

[Emperor Constantine]

Might consider Cheatubriand to tutor Henri V. He offered his services to Marie-Therese in exile in order to give Henri V a modern education, but she refused and he received a traditional Jesuit education.

The Duke of Broglie, Casimir Périer and the Duke of Dalamatia would make some good ministers in the government.

Thant you for the suggestions . I had forgotten about Chateaubriand, and the father of French Romanticism tutoring the King is very appealing. As for the ministers, that really helps, Its very difficult to find ministers who would be acceptable to both the moderates and at least some of the Legitimists.

Charles X, before he became king was known as the count of Artois. Maybe after the house of Bourbon-Condé goes extinct, he'll be granted the title duke of Bourbon too, which in 1830 is held by the old prince of Condé (who had survived his son and heir the duke of Enghien).

Thank you. However with the Prince de Conde being on the regency council, do you think he might live longer? I mean either leaving his mistress sooner, which he was planning to do, or not play kinky sex games with her ? ( He was found hanging in his bedroom by two handkerchiefs knotted to a window handle for God's sake !!)

You mean François-René de Chateaubriand?

Yes that's the only Chateaubriand associated with Marie Therese.

 

[DrakeRlugia]

You mean François-René de Chateaubriand?

Yes, that's the one. He went all the way to Prague when the exiled Bourbons were staying there and met with Marie-Thérèse, as she was rearing the two children of the Duke of Berry at the time, their mother having been banished for marrying an Italian nobleman. Although early in the Restoration Chateaubriand rallied to the Bourbons and for a time joined Charles X's Ultras, he ultimately ended up in the liberal opposition. His refusal to swear allegiance to Louis-Philippe is really what killed his career.

 

[DrakeRlugia]

Thant you for the suggestions . I had forgotten about Chateaubriand, and the father of French Romanticism tutoring the King is very appealing. As for the ministers, that really helps, Its very difficult to find ministers who would be acceptable to both the moderates and at least some of the Legitimists.

Best thing to do is to avoid Charles X's clique of Ultra-Royalists as well as proto-Orléanists to avoid swaying too far to one side. You'd probably want to look for important Doctrainaires to fill the cabinet, or any pragmatic man really that'd be willing to serve under the government with Henry V as the future head.

 

[Emperor Constantine]

Best thing to do is to avoid Charles X's clique of Ultra-Royalists as well as proto-Orléanists to avoid swaying too far to one side. You'd probably want to look for important Doctrainaires to fill the cabinet, or any pragmatic man really that'd be willing to serve under the government with Henry V as the future head.

Thats what I was thinking as well. I especially love their motto "Nationalize the monarchy and royalize France". I was also thinking of using the Constitutionalists and some of the surviving Bonapatists and maybe Jean-Baptiste de Villèle for the Legitimists, he was the longest surving PM of the Bourbon Restoration so thats got to count for something, I'm not sure for what ministry though.