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FRENCH REVOLUTION, France. Lyon. Besieged by Republican forces, 9 August-9 October 1793. 5 Livres (84x56mm). Caisse Patriotique de Lyon. Pick S303. In PCGS encapsulation 80676144, graded About New 53, mounting remnants on back.
In 1793, the city of Lyon would play host to the most intense counter-revolution staged against the National Convention. The politics of the city itself was split between moderate Girondins and radical Jacobins, led mainly by Joseph Chalier. When the Jacobins attempted to push through radical policies, including the creation of a publicly-owned bakery and a local iteration of the soon to be infamous Committee of Public Safety, they were forcibly replaced by the moderate faction. Meanwhile, in Paris, the Girondin faction was itself expelled from government. The two camps drifted even further apart. When the representative of Lyon linked up with other rebellious cities, the National Convention sent in the army.
Though the siege itself lasted two months, the aftermath was every bit as bloody. The victorious forces of the National Convention delivered swift retribution, razing the city walls and demolishing the property of the rich. The name of Lyon itself was changed to Ville-Affrainche (Liberated City). In the bloody style of the French Revolution, a small array of commissions were created judge the rebels. So many were condemned to death that even the guillotine was too slow, and many were executed en masse by volleys of grape shot.
In 1793, the city of Lyon would play host to the most intense counter-revolution staged against the National Convention. The politics of the city itself was split between moderate Girondins and radical Jacobins, led mainly by Joseph Chalier. When the Jacobins attempted to push through radical policies, including the creation of a publicly-owned bakery and a local iteration of the soon to be infamous Committee of Public Safety, they were forcibly replaced by the moderate faction. Meanwhile, in Paris, the Girondin faction was itself expelled from government. The two camps drifted even further apart. When the representative of Lyon linked up with other rebellious cities, the National Convention sent in the army.
Though the siege itself lasted two months, the aftermath was every bit as bloody. The victorious forces of the National Convention delivered swift retribution, razing the city walls and demolishing the property of the rich. The name of Lyon itself was changed to Ville-Affrainche (Liberated City). In the bloody style of the French Revolution, a small array of commissions were created judge the rebels. So many were condemned to death that even the guillotine was too slow, and many were executed en masse by volleys of grape shot.