Tuesday, the 14th of July: On this very day, all of France celebrates “Le Quatorze Juillet”, also known as “Bastille Day”. Bastille Day is the national day in France, and celebrates the storming of the Bastille Fortress on the same day in 1789. Whilst today the celebration focuses on the French independence and the true spirit of Democracy and freedom, sparking the French national motto “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” [Liberty, Equality, Fraternity], in particular, we’ll look at the Bastille Castle and the history that helped it play such an important role in establishing the now famous national day and spirit of France.
The origins of the castle date back to the mid 14th Century, during the Hundred Years War between the British and the French. A threat to Paris by the British caused the construction of the fortress, and throughout the war much focus was put into maintaining the fortress as the strongest defensive point East of Paris. What made the fortress so formidable was its strategic position, using the famous Seine river to help it as well as the pioneered design, becoming much more effective than many previous structures. From the 15th Century onward, the Bastille became the focus of defense East of Paris. In 1417, it officially became a state prison, and its first prisoner was actually the man credited with building it, Hugues Aubriot, for controversy and a falling out with the very powerful church at the time. In 1420 however, despite the success of the fortress, the English captured Paris, and for the next 16 years, the Bastille would be under British control. Charles VII would take back Paris and the influential structure in 1436, and, strikingly, the defending British retreated to the Bastille, helping pay homage to how powerful and imposing it was at the time. It was Louis XI who would reinstate the fortress as a prison, and, as time went on, the Bastille was a huge focus of defense for Paris, and would evolve with the city around it. By the 16th Century, Paris had become one of the greatest cities in the world in population as well as in reputation, and in continued fear of siege as well as religious conflicts, the already imposing structure was further fortified. Over time however, the threat began to shift from a foreign one to a more closed one, and this would prompt the Bastille to be taken again in the late 16th Century by Catholics. It was eventually recaptured, and would evolve heavily under the reign of Louis XIV in the later 17th Century.
The walls surrounding, what had once survived to defend from oncoming attackers were torn down, and in their place trees and plants were planted, growing a beautiful courtyard and garden for the more than 2000 prisoners to tend to. And, for the most part, the design and use of the fortress would remain the same until the late 18th Century, when uproar began in many parts of Paris. By July of 1789, only seven prisoners remained in La Bastille, and it became a strategic point for the revolutionists. On the morning of the 14th, more than 900 revolutionists gathered at the Bastille, but precautions had been taken beforehand by the royalists to prevent the revolutionists from entering. Again, to highlight the value and strategic importance of the Bastille, by that point, it was the final remaining stronghold not yet taken. Before any action was taken, negotiations were held to discuss the gunpowder and munitions within the stronghold. After tense meetings came to no conclusion, confusion and restlessness caused firing to take place outside, and, after the arrival of revolutionist reinforcements, the fortress eventually gave in, and was captured. Without context or an understanding of the fortress itself and its imposing nature and reputation, the value of this success and how it aided in solidifying the impact of the French revolution wouldn’t be nearly as clear, but, this success marked the point of change for the entire nation, and showed the world the lengths to which people will and should go for justice and equality. Today, the French Revolution marks one of, if not the most impactful revolution for change in a European nation, and its lasting impact on today’s world stands as strong as the Bastille.