Carmélites
stripped, thrown into the pits and covered with quicklime to speed decomposition. The first pit was 25’ x 15’ x 20’ deep, and when that was full another was dug 30’ x 20’ by 24’ deep. A third pit was dug but never used. The Terror came to an end just ten days after the death of the Carmelites. A number of the principal architects of the Revolution were denounced and guillotined, including Robespierre and Danton. One of my cousins, Charlotte de Corday, managed to assassinate Marat in his bath, as brilliantly painted by David. The land with the two pits was acquired in secret by 1796 by Amelie de Hohenzollern whose brother was in one of the pits. Six years later the larger site was acquired by subscription from those with relatives therein, led by the Marquise de Montagu, and her sister Madame de La Fayette, whose great uncle and aunt, grandmother and sister were all buried there. All those who are descended from those lying within are entitled to be buried in the graveyard today. One of these is La Fayette, who was one of the original revolutionaries, and who also helped the Americans start their revolution. The American flag has flown over his grave since his burial – even during the German occupation in the Second World War. Somehow, the Nazis did not find the courage to alienate the French aristocracy.
CHARLOTTE CORDAY
Marie-Anne Charlotte de Corday d’Armont visited Marat on 13 July and plunged into his chest a kitchen knife with a six inch blade. (He had a debilitating skin condition and conducted much of his business from the bath). At her trial, Corday said “I killed one man to save 100,000”
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