Despite the somewhat sensational opening, one should not expect great scandals. Throughout the centuries, the Habsburgs showed themselves to be relatively decent and restrained in matters of romance and morality — quite the opposite of the kings of France. The rather institutionalised practice of having a maîtresse-en-titre at Versailles was unknown in Vienna and, in […]
First, let me take a deep breath. When I first read about the alleged affair between Emperor Charles VI and Eleonora, Princess Schwarzenberg, I had a momentous gut feeling that it was a rather ignorant attempt to lend more credibility to Prince Schwarzenberg’s death. Still, however foolish, it was part of the mystery, so I […]
What would a serious investigation be without a bit of outdoor research? True, Archduchess Marianne is not about to examine a genuine crime scene; nevertheless, her urgent need for a certain kind of information requires her to leave behind her usual salons and boudoirs. As a result of a witty and elegant conspiracy carried out […]
The official commission established to investigate Prince Schwarzenberg’s death recorded his last words. Admittedly, these were not taken directly from the Prince’s mouth but were related by several eyewitnesses present at his deathbed, such as Doctor Hautzinger and the valet Viktor Jaus. All the statements they provided coincide and complement one another, and correspond with […]
The original park surrounding Hetzendorf Palace was commissioned by its previous owners, the Liechtenstein family, in the 1710s and designed by Antonio Beduzzi. When the palace became imperial property, the park and gardens were renewed and expanded, featuring regular walking paths, carefully trimmed hedges, flowerbeds, and lawns arranged in strict geometrical forms. Fountains, sculptures, bosquets, […]
After Prince Schwarzenberg’s death at Brandeis Castle, his body was transported to Prague, where a post-mortem examination was carried out. During it, the bullet was removed, and, according to custom, the heart and viscera were placed in separate urns. The body was then embalmed. A week later, the Prince’s coffin arrived in Vienna and was […]
Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria was born in Vienna on 28 October 1692. At the time of his birth, although the first-born son and heir, he was just another royal baby with no particular significance beyond his father’s realm. Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, did not concern himself much with either his wife or the […]
Anna, Queen of Spain, passed away on 26 October 1580. She was the daughter of Emperor Maximilian II and Maria of Spain. As first cousins, her parents’ marriage had been intended to strengthen the ties between the Austrian and Spanish Habsburgs. So was Anna’s own marriage when she wed her maternal uncle, King Philip II […]
Isabel of Portugal was born on 24 October 1503. As the daughter of King Manuel of Portugal, she received a brilliant Humanist education in languages and mathematics. Being an intelligent, refined, and beautiful princess from Europe’s wealthiest kingdom made her the most desirable marriage candidate in the eyes of Catholic sovereigns. Nothing less than Emperor […]
Archduke Karl Ludwig and Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies were married on 21 October 1862. Karl Ludwig was the younger son of Emperor Francis II, the brother of Emperor Ferdinand, and the uncle of Emperor Francis Joseph. Maria Annunciata, ten years his junior, descended from Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen on both her father’s […]
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