The Fungi that Felled an Emperor

Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor (Vienna, Austria, 1st October 1685 - Vienna, Austria, 20th October 1740)

Emperor Charles VI by Martin van Meytens

Newly returned from Europe with a brace of tales of medicine, it it with no small sense of excitement that I welcome Dr Dillingham to the salon. Over a hearty meal that happily, does not feature mushrooms, he shared with me the story of the fungi that felled an emperor and it is my privilege to share that with you today, in the week of the anniversary of Charles IV's death.

On 10th October 1740, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV had really had his fill of problems. Beset by   political intrigue, territorial disputes and possible financial ruin, fate decided that what he really needed to top it all was a nasty cold. Out of sorts and with the worries of the world piling on his shoulders, Charles decided to take the advice of the old wives' tale of "feed a cold, starve a fever," and set out to assuage his hunger, hopefully, battle the illness.

Accordingly, he dined royally on a meal of mushrooms stewed in Catalan oil, one of his favourite dishes. Unfortunately, the seemingly innocent mushrooms were anything but and, quite by accident, the Holy Roman Emperor had filled his belly with deadly death cap mushrooms.

The Death Scene of the Emperor Charles VI from Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 40, 1870

Within hours Charles fell into a terrible sickness and his doctors were summoned yet found themselves unable to diagnose or treat their patient. For ten long days the unfortunate man lingered on in digestive agony and, at a loss as to what else could be done, his advisers had him taken to rest in the Favourite Palace in Vienna. It was here that Charles IV died, leading to a succession crisis that would engulf his lands and House for almost a decade.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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The Death of George I

George I (George Louis, Osnabrück, Holy Roman Empire, 28th May 1660 - Osnabrück, Germany, 11th June 1727)

George I by Godfrey Kneller, 1714

We're not feeling too cheery in the salon today because I have been reflecting on the death of the man whose reign began the glorious Georgian era. Far from a romantic hero, George I did not endear himself to his family, ministers or many of his subjects and on 11th June 1727, the first Hanovarian king of England died during a visit to his beloved native lands.

Since his coronation in 1714, the country of George's birth was never far from his mind though his home was predominantly in England, he had made several trips back to Hanover in the intervening years. The journey of 1727 was to be his last and he was accompanied on the trip by Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal. Immensely powerful at court, the Duchess was George's mistress of many years standing and, some whispered, his secret wife.

On 9th June, as the group travelled between Delden and Nordhorn, George was afflicted by a major stroke. Barely clinging to life he was rushed to the comfort of Schloss Osnabrück, home of his brother, Ernest Augustus, Duke of York and Albany. Here the king lingered on the verge of death for two days before he died in the early hours of 11th June.

George I was laid to rest in the chapel of the Leineschloss and here he remained for over two centuries. When the palace was destroyed by bombing raids during World War II, George was removed and reburied at Herrenhausen, where he remains to this day.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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The Ill-Fated Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria

Duchess Elisabeth of Württemberg (Elisabeth Wilhelmine Luise; Treptow, Brandenburg, Germany, 21st April 1767 - Vienna, Austria, 18th February 1790)

Duchess Elisabeth of Württemberg by Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder, 1785

Our guest today is, perhaps, a lesser known member of European nobility. Despite a long-planned and illustrious political marriage, Elisabeth was fated to live a short life. Although she was to become a favourite of an ailing Emperor and married an Emperor-in-waiting, her ill health ensured that she was never to see her own husband assume the throne of the Holy Roman Empire.

Elisabeth was one of a dozen offspring born to Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg,  and his wife, Sophia Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt. Like so many children of her class, it was intended from the start that she would make an expedient political marriage and negotiations swiftly began to secure her a fiancé. The groom-to-be was eventually named as Francis, nephew of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II and the man who would one day hold that title himself.

Duchess Elisabeth of Württemberg by Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder

When Elisabeth was 15 she travelled from Brandenburg to Vienna and took up resident with the sisters of the Salesianerinnenkloster. In her new home she converted to Catholicism in preparation for her marriage and completed her education. Here she remained until 1788 when, on 6th January, she married the twenty year old Francis. As the couple settled into life together the new Archduchess swiftly became a favourite of her new husband's uncle, Emperor Joseph II, who had brokered the marriage to his nephew. He found her charming and refreshing company and she came to view Joseph in a grandfatherly light, spending long hours in his company. Her affection was of great comfort to the Emperor; his health was falling and he had faced a series of high profile political failures that left him disillusioned and unhappy.

Francis I by Leopold Kupelwieser, 1805

In late 1789 Elisabeth fell pregnant and her condition was to have a huge impact on her health. The cheerful, charming young lady grew weaker by the day and after she attended the Emperor's Anointing of the Sick on 15th February 1790, Elisabeth passed out and was rushed to her chambers. Two days later she went into labour and suffered for a day and night before she gave birth to the extremely premature Archduchess Ludovika Elisabeth on 18th February. Although the little girl would survive for 16 months, Elisabeth passed away within hours of delivering her daughter and just two days later, her beloved uncle-in-law also lay dead.

The ill-fated Archduchess was interred in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna; her infant daughter and the deceased Emperor were laid to rest in the same crypt.

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The Marriage of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI

We have seen royal marriages before here at the salon but today marks the anniversary of a particularly iconic match of two young people. The leading players in this drama would meet famously unhappy ends, but for now let us visit them in earlier times and see how the match between Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI came to be.

Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria by Martin van Meytens, 1767-1768

The first die was cast with the death of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1765. His widow, Maria Theresa, was left to rule the Holy Roman Empire alongside her son, Joseph II, and the politically astute Empress set about a carefully planned programme of dynastic marriages. These weddings were intended to cement alliances that were entered into during the Seven Years' War and Austria was set to advance via the altars of Europe.

With betrothals arranged with various royal houses, Maria Theresa intended that one of her daughters would marry the 14 year old Louis, Dauphin of France. However, smallpox swept through the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and killed or permanently disfigured the possible candidates for this key marriage other than 12 year old Archduchess Maria Antonia, who had survived the disease earlier in her childhood. The Empress presented Maria Antonia as a match for Louis and negotiations began in earnest, led by Étienne François, Duc de Choiseul.

Louis XVI by Joseph-Siffrein Duplessis, 1776

Over the two years that followed an enormous dowry of 200,000 crowns was agreed upon and the family of the groom to be began to view their likely new member with a critical eye. Her teeth were crooked and her smile unpleasant, they commented, and the young lady was subjected to months of unanaesthetised corrective surgery at the hans of dentist, Pierre Laveran, until both France and Austria were satisfied. Her wardrobe, hair, make up and etiquette skills were overhauled and finally, it was agreed that the young Archduchess was fit to marry into the Bourbon household.

On 19th April 1770, Maria Antonia attended the Augustinerkirche in Vienna to be married by proxy to Louis. Her brother, Ferdinand, served as groom for the ceremony and she officially took the name and title, Marie Antoinette, Dauphine of France.

The Augustinerkirche in Vienna

By now all of 14, Marie Antoinette immediately began the journey to her new life and two weeks later she was handed over to her French carers, including our old friend, Madame Etiquette, better known as Anne d'Arpajon, comtesse de Noailles. Finally, on 16th May, the bride and groom were married ceremonially in the royal chapel at Versailles before a crowd of 5000 who crowded into grandstands in the Hall of Mirrors to watch the procession pass. It was to be the start of a far from settled union plagued by politics, gossip and intrigue but for now let us leave the newlyweds on this, the 244th anniversary of their marriage.

To read about the tragedy that befell a public firework display in honour of the marriage, click here.

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The Death of Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor

Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor (Vienna, Austria, 26th July 1678 - Vienna, Austria, 17th April 1711)

Not so long ago we heard the tragic tale of the death Louis, Dauphin of France, Duke of Burgundy. Louis's family was decimated by a measles epidemic that left the Bourbon succession in crisis.  In fact, it was not the first time European royalty had been laid waste by illness and four members of Louis's own dynasty died in a a smallpox epidemic that also killed our guest today, Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor.

In early 1711, smallpox swept through Europe, leaving a trail of death in its wake. Social standing, privilege and wealth were no protection against the virulent infection. As thousands died across the continent, the ailing Joseph took to his bed in the Hoffburg Palace under the watchful eye of his physicians. The doctors immediately embarked on their standard round of treatments, bleeding their patient in an effort to lessen his suffering.

As he neared death, Joseph called his wife, Wilhelmine Amalia of Brunswick-Lüneburg, to his bedside. Their twelve year marriage had not been a happy one and was blighted by Joseph's numerous affairs and liaisons with all manner of women. In fact, Joseph contracted syphilis in 1704 and passed the infection on to Wilhelmina Amalia, an incident that apparently rendered his wife infertile and resulted in the Emperor leaving no male heir at his death. Aware that he was dangerously ill, Joseph promised his wife that, should he survive this illness, he would become a faithful and dutiful husband.

The couple were never to learn whether Joseph's promise was in earnest. He was not fated to survive the smallpox infection and died on 17th April, aged 32. Three days later he was buried with much ceremony in the Imperial Crypt of the Capuchin Church. His body lies in a tomb designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt; it is decorated with scenes of Joseph's victories in the War of Spanish Succession, a suitably grand final resting place for a Holy Roman Emperor.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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The Philanthropic Life of Caroline Augusta of Bavaria

Caroline Augusta of Bavaria (Karoline Charlotte Auguste von Bayern; Mannheim, Germany, 8th February 1792 – Vienna, Austria, 9th February 1873)

Caroline Augusta of Bavaria, 1816

Another noble lady visits the salon today today with the story of Caroline Augusta of Bavaria, a shrewd and charitable sort!

Caroline Augusta was the daughter of Maximilian I Joseph, King of Bavaria and his wife, Augusta Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt. As a striking and vibrant young woman of an influential house, she was in demand as a dynastic match but was not willing to be a pawn to marriage.

The Imperial Family (l. to r., Caroline Augusta, ; Francis I, Napoleon II, Princess Sophie, Duchess Marie-Louise, Ferdinand I, Archduke Franz Karl) by Leopold Fertbauer, 1826

On 8th June 1808 she married Crown Prince William of Württemberg; the marriage was not one of love but was an arrangement of convenience to ensure that she could not be subjected to a marriage brokered by Napoleon. The couple lived apart and were never husband and wife in anything but law, eventually divorcing on 31st August 1814. Caroline Augusta ensured that the marriage was dissolved by Pope Pius VII, ensuring that she would be able to marry again should she wish.

Caroline Augusta of Bavaria photographed in 1873

In fact, Caroline Augusta remarried just two years later, when she became the wife of Francis I, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, having had the choice of the Emperor and his brother, Ferdinand. A well-liked and unassuming  woman with a love of philanthropy, she retired to Salzburg when widowed and indulged her charitable interests until her death.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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The Many-Titles of Maria Luisa of Spain

Maria Luisa of Spain (Portici, Spain, 24th November 1745 - Vienna, Austria, 15th May 1792)

Maria Luisa of Spain by Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo, 1763

After our theatrical detour we are back in a royal house today to welcome a lady of many titles to the salon. Maria Luisa was born Princess of Naples and Sicily and eventually became a Grand Duchess, a queen and an empress!

Maria Luisa was born to Maria Amalia of Saxony and the future Charles III of Spain, at that point King of Naples and Sicily. Already a Princess, when Charles inherited the Spanish throne in 1759, Maria Luisa became known as Infanta of Spain. The bright and cheerful girl was already embarked on an education that would prepare her for the life of a royal wife and at age of 15 she and her family moved to their new Spanish kingdom to take up residence.

Leopold I, Grand Duke of Tuscany with his wife Maria Luisa and their children by Johann Zoffany, 1776
(L to R: Maria Theresa of Austria, Archduke Charles, Archduke Maximilian, Maria Anna of Austria, Archduke Alexander Leopold (seated with dog), Maria Luisa, Archduke Joseph, Leopold II, Archduke Francis, Archduke Ferdinand) 

Her future was decided on 16th February 1764 when Maria Luisa was married by proxy to Archduke Peter Leopold, the son of Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. The couple finally met in person in August 1765 for their formal wedding ceremony and when her father in law died within a week of the wedding, the new Grand Duke and Duchess of Tuscany moved to Florence to begin life as as husband and wife. Maria Luisa enthusiastically undertook her official duties and enjoyed life as the Grand Duchess, throwing herself into society. When the couple were crowned king and queen of Bohemia in 1790, they added one more impressive title to their collection, yet it was not yet the end of their rise through the noble ranks.

Despite its arranged beginnings and Leopold's penchant for extra-marital affairs, the couple's marriage was settled and friendly , Maria Luisa and Leopold's marriage was a happy one and the couple had 16 children, all but three of whom survived to adulthood. They lived in Florence for a quarter of a century until Leopold was elected Holy Roman Emperor at which point the family moved to Vienna. Sadly their life here proved to be short-lived; both the Emperor and Empress would be dead within two years, neither one yet 50 years old.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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A Routine Trip to the Closet: The Death of George II

George II (George Augustus; Hanover, Electorate of Brunswick-Luneburg, Holy Roman Empire, 9th November 1683 – London, England, 25th October 1760)

George II  by Thomas Hudson, 1744

Today is a somewhat subdued day in the salon as we mark the anniversary of the death of King George II. My grandmother Gilflurt has oft told a tale of two of this particular monarch but none are really suitable for sharing with our guests, as she can get a little ribald once she's got a gin inside her. Still, it seemed only right the mark the passing of a this long-serving, not always popular, monarch!

In the 33rd year of his reign, the once-lively king had slowed considerably. He had retired from the active political life he had once lived, even his famously hot-temper had perhaps quelled just a little and despite his scandalous love life, more than two decades after the death of his wife, he still mourned her passing. Now in the later years of his life, George's health was failing and he was frustrated by the partial loss of his sign and hearing, though he remained intellectually vibrant.

George II by Charles Jervas, 1727

By the age of 76, George had quite naturally become a creature of habit and on the morning of his death he left his bed in Kensington Palace at six o'clock as was his routine, seeing in the day with his usual cup of chocolate. Suitably refreshed, he retired to perform his toilet and it was then that his valet heard a noise that brought him running to his master's aid. The king had fallen and was prone on the floor, barely alive. As George was carried to bed and settled as well as he could be, Princess Amelia was summoned to her ailing father's side but by the time the princess arrived at Kensington Palace, King George II was dead. George's physician, Frank Nicholls, made preparations to embalm the late monarch and found that the cause of death had been an aortic dissection. 

According to his wishes, George was buried beside his beloved wife, Caroline of Ansbach, at Westminster Abbey on 11th November 1760. As was his wish, the sides of their coffins were removed to allow their bodies to rest together.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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The Holy Life of Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria

Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria (Known as Marianna; Vienna, Austria, 6th October 1738 – Klagenfurt, Austria, 19th November 1789)

Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria by Martin van Meytens 

A little while ago we made the acquaintance of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and today the salon is visited by his daughter, Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria, known to those close to her as Marianna. Whilst her sister made a fateful marriage, Marianna was to dedicate her life to scholarly and religious pursuits, battling against ill health every step of the way.

Archduchess Maria Anna was born at the Hofburg Palce to Maria Theresa of Austria and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and until the birth of her brother, Joseph, in 1741 she was heiress presumptive to the territories of the Hapsburg empire. Although Marianna was a bright and intelligent girl, she endured a number of medical conditions, most notably a hump on her back as the result of an agonising fused spine. Already weakened, a spell of pneumonia at the age of 19 left the young woman with breathing difficulties for the rest of her life and when this was followed by a disfiguring bout of smallpox, it quickly became apparent that she was not going to make a suitable match on the European marriage market.

The Imperial Family by Martin van Meytens, 1754

Adored by her father who was concerned for her future, Mariana did not dwell on the empire-building impact of a good royal marriage and instead took holy orders, becoming abbess of the Imperial and Royal Convent for Noble Ladies in Prague and subsequently abbess of Klagenfurt, where she lived with her sister Maria Elisabeth. Her youngest sister Marie Antoinette, visited Marianna and Maria Elisabeth on her way to her own marriage at Versailles, spending an evening with her siblings during her journey.

As she increased her philanthropic efforts Marianna also remained dedicated to furthering her education and had a particular interest in science, conducting her own experiments and funding those of others, as well as archeological expeditions and creative endeavours. She was an important patron of the arts and was made a member of both the Vienna Academy of Art and the Florence Academy of Art, as well as gaining the respect of the scientific community for her patronage of research and scholarly pursuits. 

Respected by the people of Klagenfurt, the Archduchess remained there as her health deteriorated, eventually dying in the adopted city she had come to love. 

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

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The Tragic Revolutionary Romance of François Marceau-Desgravier

François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers (Chartres, Kingdom of France, 1st March 1769 – Altenkirchen, Holy Roman Empire, 21st September 1796) 

François Marceau-Desgravier by François Bouchot, 1840

It seems that a week never passes without a trip to France of late and today we find ourselves traversing the Channel again in search of a revolutionary general. His story has it all; excitement, heartbreak and even a spot on the Arc de Triomphe. Make sure you have a nice lacy handkerchief on hand, as you might find yourself dabbing away a tear by the end of today's tale of the boy general.

Born the son of a prosecutor, Marceau's future looked set when he entered training to follow his father into law. A capable and intelligent student, the young man found himself increasingly drawn away from academia in search of something more thrilling and when he was just 16, he enlisted in the army to serve at Angoulême. He was present at the storming of Bastille and that event had a profound impact on him. Spurred on by revolutionary fervour, he resigned his post in the army and joined the National Guard, swiftly attaining the rank of Captain.

François Marceau-Desgravier by François Séraphin Delpech, 1830

Marceau rose quickly through the ranks of his unit in the Eure-et-Loir and by 1792 was a Lieutenant Colonel. He played an important role in the defence of Verdun, though his men became demoralised quickly with the appalling conditions and Marceau was to find himself under suspicion of fraternising with the enemy after he participated in talks with his Prussian counterparts. The revolutionary government called his conduct into question and in early 1793 he was arrested and imprisoned for a short time. When it became clear that there were no charges to answer, Marceau returned to service and by June 1793 was defending Saumur against Vendéean Royalists. This conflict turned his fortunes around as he was instrumental in the daring rescue of National Convention representative, Pierre Bourbotte, who was being held by loyalists. He became a hero of the revolution, rising swiftly to the rank of Brigadier General and winning the friendship of  Jean Baptiste Kléber, a fellow General.

Despite his apparently glittering career, Marceau was known of something of a particular character. Plagued by ill health, the young man resigned his commission in 1793 and spent some time convalescing before returning to service, clad always in a hussar's uniform of his own design. Together Marceau and Kléber served in a number of important battles, one of which was to prove personally significant for the young general. After an engagement at Le Mans in December 1793 Marceau championed the cause of a Royalist sympathiser, Angélique des Mesliers, whom he saved from imprisonment. He concealed the young woman from her pursuers but she was discovered whilst he was in Paris on military business.

The gossips of Paris whispered that there was more than friendship between this star-crossed couple and once again the political leaders of the Revolution were horrified. Despite the efforts of Marceau and his influential military contacts, Angélique was arrested and executed and Marceau would have followed her to the guillotine if not for the intervention of Bourbotte. The young man was crushed at the loss of Angélique and once again, his always questionable health began to decline.

The tomb in Koblenz

Marceau was devastated and though he would eventually become engaged to Agathe Leprêtre de Châteaugiron, the marriage was destined never to take place thanks to a combination of career and familial opposition. For three more years after the loss of Angélique he fought on the battlefields of Europe until, on 19th September 1796, the young man suffered a serious wound whilst fighting at Altenkirchen. Unable to remove their fallen commander, the French troops left him to the mercy of the opposition and he was taken into the care of the finest Austrian surgeons. Despite their efforts he continued to decline and succumbed to his injuries just two days later. Marceau was cremated, his ashes interred in a pyramid designed by Kléber before their eventual transfer to the Panthéon almost a century later.

Marceau has since been immortalised in both art and architecture; he is commemorated in Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and his name if carved into the Arc de Triomphe. Today his likeness can be seen in statues and portraits, the boy general remembered for his remarkable, tragic story.

Many thanks to Kagama, who stopped by the salon to let me know that, in true tragic romantic fashion, Desgraviers wore Agathe's miniature around his neck in battle. As recently as 1935 the miniature was in the Chartres museum "fading away slowly”.

The Political Manoeuvrings of Maria Anna, Electress of Bavaria

Maria Anna Sophia of Saxony (Maria Anna Sophia Sabina Angela Franciska Xaveria; Dresden, Germany, 29th August 1728 – Munich, Germany, 17th February 1797) 

Maria Anna by Georg Desmarées

We're graced with the presence of another regal lady here on Gin Lane today, so we've got the best tea service out. A shrewd negotiator, talented politician and even more of a force to be reckoned with than grandmother Gilflurt herself, it's time to hear the story of Maria Anna Sophia, Electress of Bavaria.

Maria Anna was born to privilege as one of fifteen children of King Augustus III of Poland and his wife, Maria Josepha of Austria. Among her siblings she could count at least one monarch and the mother to three French kings; raised to expect the best of everything, she was by all accounts an intelligent and thoughtful young lady.

Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria by Georg Desmarées, 1776

In 1747 Maria Anna married the Bavarian Elector, Maximilian III Joseph, son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII. Maximilian Joseph was noted as an enlightened monarch who championed industry and education. The couple were together for thirty years but their marriage remained childless, meaning that succession was far from assured when Maximilian Joseph died in 1777.

Fearing for the future of the lands her husband had commanded, Maria Anna watched in horror as Austria began to encroach on Maximilian Joseph's territory, heralding the start of the War of Bavarian Succession. With her late husband's sister, Maria Antonia of Bavaria, Maria Anna opened secret negotiations with Frederick II of Prussia. She set out the case for the independence of Bavaria against its ever-more aggressive Austrian neighbours and ensured the succession of the dynastic line of her choosing. Deals were struck, bargains were made and Maria Anna secured the future of her adopted homeland.

Fürstenried Palace

This intervention secured her place in the affections of the Bavarian people and she remained beloved of both public and nobility for the remainder of her life. Retiring from the public eye, Maria Anna took up residence in Fürstenried Palace and remained there happily until her death.

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Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, A Ruler in Name Only?

Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany (Francis Stephen; Nancy, France, 8th December 1708 – Innsbruck, Austria, 18th August 1765)

After an interlude with a somewhat ambitious lady we are back in Austria for an audience with another Holy Roman Emperor, the founder of the powerful Hapsburg-Lorraine dynasty. His life was one of politics and upheaval, steered through some very choppy waters by a politically astute wife who adored him.

Born into a dynasty that enjoyed some very influential connections, Francis was the son of Leopold Joseph, duke of Lorraine, and his wife Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans, daughter of Philippe, duc d'Orléans. The family had a long and fruitful relationship with the house of Hapsburg via marriage and it was an alliance that would prove fateful for Francis.

Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, was looking around the ruling houses for a suitable match for his daughter, Maria Theresa, and quite naturally turned his attention to his cousins in the house of Lorraine. There he settled on Francis' elder brother, Leopold Clement. However, when Leopold died Charles decided that Francis would be an idea substitute, taking the teenager to live in Vienna with his bride-to-be. Francis and Maria Theresa became very close, with the future bride particularly enthusiastic about their planned union.

Francis I by Martin van Meytens, 1745

As the years wore on Francis travelled throughout Europe, becoming a Master Freemason in the United Kingdom and Duke of Lorraine on his father's death. In 1732 Maria had him appointed Lord Lieutenant of Hungary, a position that he was less than thrilled to receive as he had warmed somewhat to life as a gentleman of leisure. 

In 1733 the War of the Polish Succession broke out and Lorraine fell to the French; when peace was declared two years later Francis was awarded the Grand Duchy of Tuscany by means of compensation as Lorraine was handed to Stanisław Leszczyński, the unsuccessful claimant to the Polish throne. Although Francis' family prevailed upon him to reject the deal, Charles strongly encouraged him to accept and the young man acquiesced to the wishes of his future father-in-law, agreeing to what would eventually become the Treaty of Vienna. The loss of Lorraine hit Francis' family hard and when it came time to make his engagement to Maria Theresa official, the young man wavered. A few tense minutes passed but Francis recovered his nerve and agreed to the wedding formally, with the ceremony taking place less than a fortnight later in February 1736.

Maria Theresa by Andreas Möller

A shrewd political negotiator, after the death of her father Maria Theresa found herself plunged into the War of Austrian Succession. With the excuse that a woman couldn't succeed to her father's throne, France and Prussia moved against her, determined to lessen the influence of the powerful Hapsburg dynasty. The War raged on for eight years before the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle brought it to an end in 1748 and we've already hosted one of its most infamous spies here at Gin Lane!

In fact, though Maria Theresa's gender did indeed preclude her from ruling the Holy Roman Empiere, she had long intended to make her husband co-Regent of her Austrian and Bohemian territories. This, she hoped, would lay the foundations for him to assume the Imperial throne. In fact, it would be another five years before this aim was achieved and in 1745 Francis was elected Holy Roman Emperor. 

In reality Francis would rule in name alone, with his wife the prime mover behind the Empire, a situation that suited her husband admirably. He did not share her love of politics and preferred to advise Maria Theresa in an administrative capacity, spending his time indulging his love of nature and engaging in a number of high profile love affairs. With his wife he had sixteen children including the last Archbishop-Elector of Cologne and the near-legendary Queen Marie Antoinette. 

The Wedding Breakfast of Maria Theresa of Austria and Francis  by Martin van Meytens

Whilst in Innsbruck to celebrate the wedding of one of his children, Francis took a trip to the opera. Returning in his coach on the evening of 18th August 1765, the Holy Roman Emperor died suddenly and unexpectedly. His reign may have been over but Maria Theresa's certainly was not. As her son, Joseph II, took the throne, he found himself a more than able guide in the form of his mother, who assured him that the business of the Holy Roman Empire was safe in her hands.



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