This podcast episode delves into the trial and execution of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. The hosts discuss the trial's dual purpose: judging Louis as an individual and as a symbol of monarchy, highlighting the conflicting perspectives and political maneuvering within the National Convention. They detail the key players involved, including Louis's lawyers and the radical Montagnards, and the dramatic events leading up to the execution, such as the public debate over the verdict and the final vote. The episode concludes with a description of Louis's execution and its immediate aftermath, emphasizing the conflicting interpretations of the event by both royalists and republicans. The episode uses the trial of Charles I as a historical parallel, illustrating the ritualistic aspects of the event and its lasting impact on French society.
