Count Axel Fersen

Count Hans Axel Fersen was born in 1755 in Stockholm and died there on June 20, 1810. He was a Swedish soldier and diplomat. His father was Count Fredrik Axel Fersen, who was the field marshal, councilor of the empire, founding member of the Academy, and leader and elder of statesman of the party of the old nobility.

Axel Fersen was the eldest son of Count Fredrik Axel von Fersen. He was described as rich and powerful as well as handsome and well-educated. It was not surprising that Marie Antoinette later found him enchanting. 

Count Axel Fersen entered the French service in 1779, was aide-de-camp of comte de Rochambeau in the American Revolution, and later at the court of Versailles became a favorite of Marie Antoinette.

Axel Fersen 's affair with Marie Antoinette

There were rumors that Maria Antoinette and Count Axel Fersen were lovers. However, there was no concrete evidence and many were under the opinion that Marie Antoinette was indeed fond of Count Axel Fersen but they were not lovers.

Marie Antoinette and Count Axel Fersen met at a masked ball in Paris. Marie Antoinette, bored with her life inside the palace often visited museums, exhibitions, festivals, and the Opera House. She was fascinated by the masked balls at the Opera House where she can feel free.

Count Axel Fersen was recalled to Sweden in 1784, but returned to Paris on the eve of the French Revolution. In 1791 Count Axel Fersen helped the marquis de Bouillé plan the flight of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and he himself drove their coach outside the city limits, but the king and queen were arrested at Varennes. On their capture, Axel Fersen escaped, and returned to Sweden. He was later made chancellor of Upsala University and was promoted grand marshal of the Sweden by Gustavus IV, whom he accompanied to Germany in the Napoleonic Wars.

After the Swedish revolution of 1809 that forced Gustavus IV to abdicate, Axel Fersen was accused by popular rumor that he had poisoned the crown price of Sweden. At his funeral, Axel Fersen was attacked by a mob and killed.