# Louis XVII of France > heir of the French throne **Wikidata**: [Q49765](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49765) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XVII) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/louis-xvii-of-france ## Summary Louis XVII of France was the heir to the French throne and a central figure in the tumultuous period of the French Revolution. Though he never ruled as king, his imprisonment and tragic death during the Revolution marked him as a potent symbol of monarchical loss and political upheaval in French history. ## Biography - Born: March 27, 1785 - Nationality: France - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Being the heir of the French throne during the French Revolution - Employer(s): Not applicable - Field(s): Royalty, historical monarchy ## Contributions Louis XVII of France is primarily known for his symbolic role during the French Revolution. As the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, he was recognized as the heir to the French throne but never officially ruled due to his death before the monarchy's restoration. His life and imprisonment during the Revolution made him a focal point of political and public sentiment, both in France and internationally. Though he did not produce tangible works or lead institutions, his very existence and fate became emblematic of the revolutionary period’s human cost. ## FAQs **Who was Louis XVII of France?** Louis XVII of France was the son of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, recognized as the heir to the French throne during the French Revolution. He became a symbol of monarchical suffering due to his imprisonment and death under the revolutionary government. **What happened to Louis XVII during the French Revolution?** Louis XVII was imprisoned along with his family following the overthrow of the monarchy. He was separated from his mother and held in solitary confinement, where he died in 1795, before reaching adulthood. His death marked the end of the direct Bourbon line's claim to the throne at that time. **Why is Louis XVII historically significant?** Louis XVII is historically significant not for any actions taken in power, but for his symbolic role as a child monarch caught in the chaos of revolution. His story became a rallying point for royalist sentiment and political mythmaking, particularly in the 19th century. **What is the mystery surrounding Louis XVII's death?** Louis XVII died in the Temple Prison in Paris in 1795 at the age of 10, under unclear circumstances. Persistent rumors and legends arose about his possible survival, leading to numerous imposters and even modern DNA investigations to confirm his death. **Did Louis XVII ever become king?** No, Louis XVII never became king. He was recognized as heir after the execution of his father, Louis XVI, but died in prison before the monarchy was restored. His uncle, Louis XVIII, eventually became king after the fall of Napoleon. ## Why They Matter Louis XVII matters as a symbol of the French Revolution’s tragic impact on the monarchy and European aristocracy. His imprisonment and death at a young age underlined the revolutionaries' assault on the old regime. His story was later mythologized, especially by royalist groups who used his image to evoke sympathy and nostalgia for the monarchy. The mystery of his death and the persistence of legends about his survival also made him a powerful figure in 19th-century political memory. ## Notable For - Being the heir to the French throne during the French Revolution - Imprisonment and death during the revolutionary period - Becoming a symbol of monarchical suffering and loss - Inspiring political myths and legends, including stories of survival - His death marking the end of the direct Bourbon line’s claim to the throne - Being the subject of historical and cultural fascination, including DNA testing to confirm his death ## Body ### Early Life Louis XVII, born Louis-Charles de France on March 27, 1785, was the second son of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. As the heir to the French throne, he was born into the House of Bourbon, the royal family of France. His early life was spent in the royal court at Versailles, where he was cared for by his parents and later by various royal attendants. ### Imprisonment and Revolution Following the arrest and imprisonment of the French royal family in 1792, Louis XVII, then known as the "Petit Capet," was held in the Temple Prison in Paris. After the execution of his father, Louis XVI, in 1793, he was declared Louis XVII by royalist exiles, though he never ruled. He was separated from his mother and held in increasingly harsh conditions under the revolutionary government. ### Suffering and Death Louis XVII died on June 8, 1795, in the Temple Prison at the age of 10. His death was attributed to tuberculosis and neglect, though the full circumstances remain shrouded in mystery. His suffering during imprisonment and the secrecy of his final years contributed to his tragic legacy. ### Political Symbolism Though he never ruled, Louis XVII became a symbol of the monarchy's fall and the revolution’s brutality. His image was used by royalist movements to evoke sympathy and to call for the restoration of the monarchy. Even after his death, his legacy was invoked in debates over legitimacy and heritage. ### Legends of Survival Following his death, numerous individuals claimed to be Louis XVII, most notably a man known as Naundorff. These claims persisted for decades, leading to historical investigations and even exhumation of his heart for DNA testing in the 20th century, which confirmed his death in the Temple. ### Cultural Legacy Louis XVII’s story has been the subject of literature, film, and historical analysis. His life and death are often portrayed as emblematic of the French Revolution’s human toll. His image continues to be used in cultural and political discourse to represent innocence destroyed by tyranny. ### Restoration and Memory After the fall of Napoleon and the Bourbon Restoration, Louis XVII’s legacy was invoked to legitimize the return of the monarchy. His uncle, Louis XVIII, became king, and his cousin, Henry V, was later recognized as the next heir. Louis XVII remains a poignant figure in French history, representing both loss and the enduring memory of the monarchy. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. datos.bne.es 3. International Standard Name Identifier 4. RKDartists 5. Find a Grave 6. The Peerage 7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 8. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 9. Genealogics 10. Base biographique 11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 12. Union List of Artist Names. 2015 13. LIBRIS. 2012 14. Virtual International Authority File 15. Sejm-Wielki.pl 16. KBpedia 17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 18. [Louis XVII](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/531489/louis-xvii-historical-figures-1700s-mbti-personality-type)