New Age Group

The New Age movement was an 1860-70s Alexandrian cultural movement marked by the questioning of the validity of all forms of preconceived ideas and social norms. The members of the New Age Group opposed the monarchy and the aristocracy and often championed the independence of the individual. The New Age Group became known for the use of terrorism to achieve its political ends.

Famous assasination attempts

Assasination Attempts on Prime Minister Louis Leroy Bruneaux

See #Fourth Attempt

Assasination Attempts on Emperor Charles VIII

First Attempt

On the morning of April 20, 1861, Charles VIII was walking towards the Petit Campan in the grounds of the Palace of Wesloderia. In his walk, he faced Alexander Montreaux, a 33 year-old former student. Having seen a revolver in his hands, the Emperor ran away; Montreaux fired five times but missed. He was sentenced to death and hanged on May 28.

Second Attempt

In December 1863, Frederick Holgansen and three other members of the New Age Group organised an explosion on the railway from Geneva to Franciscania, but they missed the Emperor's train. Holgansen was captured seven days later along with two of his accomplices. The third, Lucien Gronton, managed to escape the authorities.

Third Attempt

On the evening of February 5, 1867 a group of ten revolutionaries led by Lucien Gronton set off a charge under the dining room of the Bramasole Palace in Asunción, right in the resting room of the Imperial Bodyguards a story below. The Emperor was not harmed as he was late to the supper, and the explosion did not destroy the dining room either, although the floor was heavily damaged. Five revolutionaries were captured, but their leader evaded the authorities once more.

Fourth Attempt

While driving on one of the central streets of Geneva, near the Palace of Geneva, the carriage carrying Emperor Charles VIII (accompanied by Prime Minister Louis Leroy Bruneaux) was attacked by hand-made grenades. The group of eight revolutionaries, lead again by Lucien Gronton, were all captured on the spot by the Imperial Bodyguards. After trial, all revolutionaries were decapitated in Geneva. Lucien Gronton was sent to the notorious Château D'Perpignone where he was shot two months later on July 18th, 1871.