Robert-François Damiens
Robert-François Damiens Robert-François Damiens ( La Thieuloye , January 9 , 1715 - Paris , March 28, 1757 ) was the author of an assassination attempt against King Louis XV of France On Wednesday, January 5 , 1757 , when the court was in the Trianon , Louis XV visited his daughter, Madame Victoria , who was in bed in the main palace of Versailles . As he was returning to his carriage, Damiens, covering his face with a hat, pushed through the guard, seized the king, and wounded him. Louis XV thought, at first, that he had received a punch, but immediately saw that he was bleeding from one side. The guard seized Damiens and the king then exclaimed: " Catch him, but do not kill him! ». The king was taken to his rooms and was attended to by his surgeon who was in Versailles. The weapon used was a double-edged razor found in Damiens' pocket, measuring 81 mm. The wound was between the fourth and fifth ribs on the right side. The many layers of clothing the king wore, necessa...