Who Were The 7 Prisoners In The Bastille: Unveiling The Untold Stories

Who were the seven individuals held as prisoners in the Bastille on the pivotal date of July 14, 1789? Among these detainees, the group encompassed a diverse range of individuals, shedding light on the varied reasons for their incarceration. Specifically, the roster comprised four forgers who had engaged in fraudulent activities, an Irishman described as a “lunatic” by contemporary accounts, a young aristocrat who had been confined to the prison at the request of his family due to his wayward behavior, and a man who had previously conspired to assassinate King Louis XV. This eclectic mix of inmates offers a glimpse into the complex social and political dynamics of the time.

On July 14, 1789, a pivotal moment unfolded in Paris that marked the dramatic inception of the French Revolution. The Bastille, a formidable prison often likened to the Tower of London, was besieged by an enraged mob of 633 French citizens. During this tumultuous event, they not only seized the Bastille’s stockpile of munitions but also set free its seven prisoners who had long been held captive within its walls. The crowd’s fury extended to a horrifying act as they lynched the prison’s governor and ultimately razed the fortress to the ground. This tumultuous episode, known as the Storming of the Bastille, became a symbol of the people’s resistance against oppression and tyranny, setting the stage for the profound changes that would define the course of the French Revolution.

The Bastille, though housing fewer prisoners compared to other Parisian prisons like Châtelet or the Abbaye, was notable for detaining famous individuals, particularly those known for their writings. One such renowned figure was Voltaire, who was confined within its walls twice, in 1717 and 1726. Additionally, the Bastille famously held the Marquis de Sade from 1784 until July 4, 1789, making him one of the most well-known inmates in the history of the prison. These notable prisoners contributed to the Bastille’s legacy as a place of confinement for prominent figures during various periods in history.