In Paris new tensions were building. A rumor circulated that at a banquet in Versailles, newly arrived soldiers had treated the tricolor with disrespect. On October 5, an angry mob of some six or seven thousand women set off for Versailles dragging a cannon and brandishing whatever makeshift weapons they could lay their hands on. They were followed by Lafayette and 20,000 National Guardsmen. They reached Versailles in the evening and invaded the National Assembly, calling for bread and punishment of those who had insulted the national flag. Then the women marched to Versailles and gained entrance to the elegant apartment of the queen. The king finally agreed to the demands of the women and under their escort journeyed with his family to Paris. Henceforth, the king and his family would be confined to Paris, "more like prisoners than Princes."

March of the Women to Versailles

The Constitution of 1791

The National Assembly continued its efforts to draft a new constitution for France. At last, in September 1791, the constitution was complete providing for a limited monarchy.
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