During the reflective discussion at the heart of the maze, Father Franz advises Archduchess Marianne to trust her intuition and follow the inner logic of events. A distinct pattern of roughly ten-year leaps back in time is beginning to emerge in her investigation — a pattern that, originating from my own research, also forms the […]
In this chapter, Archduchess Marianne and Father Franz explore the maze in the Schönbrunn park. This marvellous structure of four quadrants and a central pavilion was gradually developed between 1700 and 1740 and can be seen in the famous painting by Bernardo Bellotto, completed in 1760. The intricate network of walkways between tall hedges created […]
Researching Prince Schwarzenberg’s death and the Princess’s alleged role in it, Archduchess Marianne — although reluctantly — has to delve into their marital relations. After more than a decade of living apart, the House of Schwarzenberg stood on the brink of extinction. Then, as if out of the blue, the long-estranged couple — both already […]
One important thread running through the narrative is Marianne’s tense relationship with her mother. To untangle this web of contradictory feelings and, ideally, to find their cause, was one of the keen aims of my research. From the very beginning, it was clear that without understanding the dynamics of this essential bond between mother and […]
I am surprised myself not to have introduced Princess Trautson earlier, despite her being one of the central figures of the narrative since its very first page. It is high time to correct that unfortunate omission. Karolina Magdalena, Freiin Hager von Altensteig, was born in 1701, and was therefore fifty-six years old at the time […]
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, […]
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