Source A

A variety of grievances are presented by a village in 1789 in a Cahier (list of complaints) drawn up prior to the meeting of the Estates General.

We are placed on an arid soil, shackled by the bonds of feudalism, and confused in a maze of laws. No matter how hard we work we cannot meet the burdens put on us by the State. The Church’s tithe adds to our burdens and we are crushed. But the best of Kings, our beloved Louis XVI, can hear us. He will lighten our load.

Cahier of the village of Le Revest, 1789

Source B

The American minister (ambassador) to France writes about the warmth of feeling towards the King and Queen at the opening of the Estates General.

The King at length arrives and takes his seat, the Queen on his left. He makes a short speech, proper and well-spoken. He is interrupted by acclamations so warm and with much affection. After the speech is over, the King receives a long and moving ‘Vive le Roi!’ [long live the King!]. The Queen rises and for the first time in several months the sound ‘Vive la Reine’ [long live the Queen] is heard. She makes a low curtsey and this sets out an even louder acclamation by the Estates General.

Gouverneur Morris, Diary 5 May 1789

Source C

An eye witness reports the violent events of 5–6 October 1789 when the Paris mob forced the royal family to move from Paris to Versailles.

Miomandre, a leader of the Royal bodyguard had shouted to the crowd that they loved the King and should not disturb him. There were shouts against the Queen: “We will cut off her head, tear out her heart, fry her liver”. Miomandre was struck by a musket whose trigger penetrated his skull.
The heads of M. des Hutes and M. de Varicourt, two of the royal bodyguard killed by the mob, led the procession. The people cried, “We are bringing the baker, Mrs. Baker and the baker’s boy”, disrespectful names for the royal family. The crowd made gross insults to the Queen and threats against the nobles and priests. Such was the vile and barbarous procession in the midst of which the King, Queen and Royal Family arrived in Paris after a humiliating drive of six hours.

Memoirs of The Marquis de Ferrières, a moderate deputy, 1821

Source D

Another eye witness, Louis XVI’s sister, gives an account of the events of 5–6 October 1789.

Two thousand women arrived at Versailles, armed with bits of rope and knives. They came to ask for bread, as there was none in Paris. The King’s reply seemed to satisfy them. After fighting between people of Versailles and the Royal Bodyguard the people demanded that the King should come to Paris. M. de La Fayette (the commander of the National Guard) made the people swear allegiance to the King. The Queen spoke with charm and the way she conducted herself pleased the people. There were shouts of ‘Vive le Roi’ and ‘Vive La Reine’ and ‘Vive La Nation’ as well as ‘down with the priests’ that continued until we reached Paris.

Elisabeth de Bourbon, letter to a friend in exile, 13 October 1789

Source E

A modern historian comments on the limitations of the reformers.

Turgot viewed himself as liberal; in fact, he was the one who most often used arbitrary arrest, and a number of opponents of his policies ended up in the Bastille prison. The economic reformers, Turgot included, had always been strong on ends and weak on means. They failed to see the contradiction in having liberal aims, but using repressive methods. They also made no allowance for short-term problems – riots, war, Louis XVI’s weakness – that made up the reality of late eighteenth century France.

Simon Schama, Citizens, 1989