Coin France 1 Franc Henri V - 1831 - Silver

Henri V, also known as Henri d?Artois (1820-1883), is a key figure in French monarchical history during the 19th century. Here is an overview of his life and role:

Origins and Early Life

• Full Name: Henri Charles Ferdinand Marie Dieudonné d?Artois.
• Birth: September 29, 1820, in Paris.
• Family: He was the grandson of King Charles X and the son of the Duke of Berry, who was assassinated in 1820, a few months before Henri?s birth. His mother was Marie-Caroline of Bourbon-Sicily.
• Title: At birth, he was titled Duke of Bordeaux. After the abdication of Charles X in 1830, he became Henri V for the legitimists.

The Legitimist Pretender

• Abdication of Charles X: In 1830, after the July Revolution, Charles X abdicated in favor of his grandson Henri V, who was only 10 years old at the time. However, Louis-Philippe d?Orléans was proclaimed King of the French, ending the Bourbon dynasty.
• Exile: Following the Revolution of 1830, Henri V and his family went into exile in Scotland and later in Austria. He spent most of his life in Frohsdorf, near Vienna.

The Symbol of the Legitimist Monarchy

• Legitimists: Henri V?s supporters, known as legitimists, considered him the rightful King of France, despite the July Monarchy (1830-1848) and subsequent republican or imperial regimes.
• Henri V?s White Flag: He is famous for advocating the white flag, a symbol of the monarchy, over the tricolor flag. This decision alienated some of his supporters, as the tricolor flag had become a national symbol.

Attempts at Restoration

• 1871: After the fall of the Second Empire, a serious attempt to restore the legitimate monarchy was considered. However, Henri V refused to compromise on the white flag, which ended this opportunity.
• Political Marginalization: His inflexibility politically isolated him, even among his supporters.

Death and Legacy

• Death: Henri V died without issue on August 24, 1883, in Frohsdorf.
• Succession: After his death, the legitimist claim passed to the cadet branch of the Bourbons, the Dukes of Anjou, who are today represented by the descendants of Alfonso XIII of Spain.