The astonishing story of one of the leading women of the French Revolution—and of her own ironic but grisly end at the guillotine—is told with typical intensity and passion by master storyteller John Abbott in this gripping account of the events leading up to the infamous Reign of Terror.
Marie-Jeanne Phlippon Roland, better known as Madame Roland, and her husband, Jean-Marie Roland de la Platière, were leading supporters of the initial ideals of equality and freedom which they presumed the French revolutionaries sought. As such, they became the leaders of what was known as the Girondist faction during those tumultuous events. The Girondists campaigned for the end of the monarchy but then found themselves at odds with the increasing violence and extremist nature of the radicals.
In June 1793, Madame Roland and her husband were arrested by the radical faction under the leadership of Robespierre, charged with treason and thrown into prison. Although there were no real grounds for the charge, a guilty sentence was inevitable as it became clear that the trial was part of Robespierre’s plot to destroy his Girondist opposition. In November 1793, Madame Roland suffered the fate of so many other innocent people of the time, and was beheaded in public on the Place de la Révolution, uttering the famous remark for which she is remembered: O Liberté, que de crimes on commet en ton nom! (Oh Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy name!)