Duc de Berry
Posted by Marie-Bernadette on September 08, 1998 at 10:48:37:
In response to Reviewing the Archives on PDA, written by Misty Ann Khan on September 06, 1998 at 18:40:11
Regarding viewing the birth to make sure the heir is legitimate, the Duc de Berry's wife was pregnant at the time that he was assassinated. When she gave birth, several officials came into the room to witness, up close and personal apparently, the cutting of the umbilical cord. No 'warming pan' baby there! They saw with their own eyes that the newborn was still attached to his mother and the Duchess wanted them to see so that there could be no doubts. I don't know how common the practice was, but there was quite an audience at the birth of Marie-Antoinette's first child, too, and the majority were only separated from her by a screen and a few 'big wigs' witnessed the entire event. For her subsequent deliveries, however, Louis would not allow so many to be present and made sure his queen had more privacy.
I've read about the above in a couple of different books and will go and find the titles if anyone is interested.
Marie-B.
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