An Introduction to Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was born to Maria Theresa of Austria and Francis I, the Holy Roman Emperor. She was an Archduchess of Austria and at a young age was married off to King Louis XVI, to establish the Franco-Austrian alliance. Many people disliked her for her extravagance, selfishness, and materialism (Reid pp. 3-5). However, the Queen had many good qualities. Perhaps her most memorable quality was her taste in fashion, and even though people criticized her clothes and her outrageous hairstyles, she became a fashion icon and was imitated through France (Weber p.2). She liked to interact with people and kept the Franco-Austrian alliance strong, and when she finally gave birth to children, was a good mother (Fraser p. 13-14). Her reign as queen was during a controversial time period, the French Revolution, creating much conflict.
Picture: Reid, http://www.geocities.com/bourbonstreet/delta/6569/
