King Louis XVI ordered troops near Versailles to dissolve theNational Assembly (members of the third Estate, who took the TennisCourt Oath before and were against the privileged clergy andnobility). The Parisian people had heard this and stormed the mosthated building - the imfamous prison, symbol of absolutism - anddemolished it completely. They wanted to prevent the King to attacktheir representatives in the assembly. (14 July, 1789)