By this chapter, I faced the problem of how to introduce the County of Rantzau into the narrative. Without giving away any spoilers, I can reveal that this small, remote, and seemingly insignificant borderland plays quite a role in the intrigue. However, for literary purposes, its mention had to appear as casual as possible — so that, in retrospect, a reader might think: I should have known…
That casual reference comes from Count Colloredo, who recounts the stories of historical hunting accidents at Marianne’s request.
Frankly, when I unearthed certain episodes from history books, I was astonished myself at how many notable figures — not to mention several crowned heads — lost their lives while hunting. Among them were Louis V of France (966–987), the last Carolingian; William II of England, called Rufus (1057–1100) and his brother Richard of Normandy (before 1056 – c.1075); Valdemar III of Denmark (1209–1231); Philip IV of France (1268–1314); Ferdinand Maximilian (1625–1669), heir to the Margraviate of Baden-Baden; Henri Louis Prince of Ligne (1644–1702); Christian V of Denmark (1646–1699); John Holles, Duke of Newcastle (1662–1711); Count Christian Detlev of Rantzau (1670–1721); and Charles, Duke of Berry (1686–1714), grandson of the Roi Soleil. These are only a few of those whose names might have been familiar to the interlocutors of the scene.
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