Archduchess Margaret of Austria was born on 10 January 1480. She was the daughter of Emperor Maximilian I and Mary of Burgundy, the sister of Philip the Handsome, and the aunt of Emperor Charles V. In her youth, Margaret was a pivotal figure in the Habsburgs’ marriage policy. Her first arranged marriage, to Charles VIII […]
January 7, 1744, marked the wedding day of Maria Theresa’s beloved sister, Archduchess Maria Anna of Habsburg, and Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. There was a minor but nevertheless significant issue over the union that I’d like to point out. By that time, Maria Theresa and Francis Stephan had produced several daughters but only one […]
Anna Plochl, Countess Meran was born on 6 January 1814. Her place in the Habsburg family calendar was secured through her marriage to Archduke Johann, one of the youngest sons of Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain. Anna was a commoner, the daughter of a postmaster in Styria, where Johann — withdrawn from […]
Archduke Leopold Wilhelm was born on 5 January 1614. He was the brother of Emperor Ferdinand III and thus the paternal uncle of Emperor Leopold I. Throughout his life, Leopold Wilhelm’s professional engagements were shaped by family traditions and dynastic needs, as well as by his own personal inclinations. As a younger son, he was […]
Archduchess Marianne is, without doubt, an unusual investigator. She began her efforts with no belief whatsoever that any offence had been committed. Moreover, she was rather reluctant to cast suspicion on any of the people involved; indeed, she had every reason to interpret the evidence and circumstances in their favour. Then, just as she reaches […]
The reader’s patience will be rewarded in Chapter 22, which finally breaks the ice. In a half-dream, Archduchess Marianne stumbles upon an insight buried deep within her subconscious and allows herself to be carried away by its thrilling force. Already agitated, she then receives a letter from Mademoiselle Leontine. An unimaginable, breathtaking announcement suddenly lends […]
As the first half of the novel draws to a close, a responsible author – seeking their readers’ approval – should prepare them for an imminent, unexpected twist. However, before a fresh impulse re-ignites Archduchess Marianne’s full engagement, let us enjoy a moment of anticipation and join an after-supper entertainment in her salon. Beyond great […]
This chapter serves as a bridge between two psychologically distinct phases. Although Archduchess Marianne has declared the case closed, her mind has not entirely left the mystery behind. Moreover, new pieces of information continue to reach her. Princess Schwarzenberg signed her last will a week before her death. The only published citation reads as follows: […]
Throughout the narrative, I have been sketching Archduchess Marianne’s psychological portrait and her strenuous family relations. This chapter brings that subject fully into focus. In the presence of her confessor, she pours out all the anxiety that has gathered in her heart. At first glance, one might consider this a minor sideline with no direct […]
Poor Father Franz! He is on his way to visit Archduchess Marianne, full of enthusiasm about the latest scientific news he hopes to share with her. The concept of heliocentrism has been removed from the list of forbidden ideas! Now he may finally introduce the model of the universe to his curious pupil. The famous […]
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