(born Oct. 9, 1757, Versailles, France — died Nov. 6, 1836, Gorizia, Friuli) King of France (1824 – 30). Fifth son of the dauphin Louis, and grandson of
Louis XV, until 1824 he was known as Charles-Philippe, count d'Artois. During the
French Revolution he went into exile and became the leader of the
émigré nobility. Returning to France in 1814, he led the
ultras during the
Bourbon Restoration. On the death of his brother
Louis XVIII, Charles became king. His popularity waned as his reign became increasingly reactionary. After the
July Revolution he was forced to abdicate in favour of
Louis-Philippe. His reign dramatized the failure of the Bourbons to reconcile the tradition of the monarchy by divine right with the democratic spirit produced in the wake of the Revolution.
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