The New Student's Reference Work/Charles X

Charles X, king of France, the grandson of Louis XV, was born at Versailles, Oct. 9, 1757. He received the title Comte d' Artois, and in 1773 married Maria Theresa of Savoy. After the fall of the Bastille, in 1789, he headed the first emigration of nobles and took the lead in the attempts made to restore the monarchy. Under Louis XVIII Artois headed the royalist party, and by the death of that monarch became king under the title of Charles X. At first he was popular with all parties, but it was soon plain that he wished to make his rule as absolute as that of the old French monarchy. The people became discontented, and a struggle ensued with the chamber of deputies. On July 26, 1830, the king signed the five well-known ordinances, putting an end to the freedom of the press, making a new mode of election and dissolving the chamber that had just been elected. Paris at once took up arms. In three days the revolution was finished, Charles was driven from the capital, and Louis Philippe declared king. Charles lived the remainder of his life in exile. He died Nov. 6, 1836.