It's Bad to be the King

On this date in 1793, the corps of Louis XVI was neatly seperated from his tête by Dr. Guillotin's wonderful invention (purportedly the best thing since sliced head). This caused M. Capet many inconveniences, not the least of which was the end of his reign as the King of France.

While it's clear while there is much mutual admiration between Americans and the French, as this example clearly demonstrates, there are important differences in our culture. In France, a leader's demise in the eyes of his people precedes losing his head. In America, a leader's demise in the eyes of his people follows getting head. Additionally, the absence of any head at all does not preclude one from serving as President.

Go figure.

Happy Decapitation Day to out of touch leaders everywhere!

Comments

[Edens]

Hate to nitpick, but Louis was a Bourbon, not a Capet. The Capetian line ended in the 14th century. The transition from the Capets to the house of Valois was more or less started the Hundred Years War (Edward III's mother was a Capet - see Act I of Shakespeare's Henry V...). The Valois/Bourbon transition was, coincidentally, connected to the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

[lobbygow]

Hate to nitpick, but Louis was a Bourbon, not a Capet.

Yes, but his nickname among those who wanted his head was "Louis Capet." I'm shocked that you didn't get the reference.

[Mme. Defarge and the Knit-wits]

Louis, Louis,

Ohhhh, ohhhh, baby, you gotta go.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...

Well, as my post perhaps reveals, I'm reading my way up to the French Revolution (Mattingly's "The Armada' btw, comes highly recommended). Although, now that you mention it "Citizen Capet" rings a bell - which google likewise confirms.