Beyond festivities, social gatherings in one apartment or another at court were a common way to spend the evening. More or less permanent circles formed according to title, official function or simply personal friendship with the host or hostess. After having supper, guests used to amuse themselves by playing cards, making music and conversing. As is likely in every epoch, the sensational and the weird were a favourite topic of discussion.
When reading Bohemian legends, one meets personal and geographical names known from history. A pair of deer horns upon the wall of Palace Schwarzenberg in Prague; unhappy Chancellor Mitrowitz scared of being buried alive; the miracle of five brothers, the rioters in Kaden; the last Lobkowitz losing his life under a falling oak tree. All familiar encounters, which inspired me to weave some of these legends into the narrative.
Of course, Marianne does not think those semi-pagan stories are real. But her ‘suspects’ do. Prejudice and ignorance can trigger the impulse to act and unrealistic expectations may develop into realistic consequences. This is why she sees these legends as evidence in support of her investigation.
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