The French Revolution executed royals and nobles, yes – but most people killed were commoners

  • Written by: Claire Rioult, PhD candidate in Early Modern History, Monash University
The French Revolution executed royals and nobles, yes – but most people killed were commonersWellcome Collection

For a lot of people, mention of the French Revolution conjures up images of wealthy nobles being led to the guillotine. Thanks to countless movies, books and half-remembered history lessons, many have been left with the impression the revolution was chiefly about chopping off the heads of kings, queens, dukes and other cashed-up...

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