Me too. This actually had been a tricky question, because on the one hand, France was supporting the American rebels as part of its anti-British policy, but on the other, the King of England, good old George III, was still also Prince Elector of Hannover, and thus a key peer in the HRE. Which Joseph was the ruler of. So both "yay rebels!" and "rebels are the worst!" would have been a slight to someone. This being said, I think the phrase does allow speculation he might have had sneaking sympathies overseas nonetheless.
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Re: Chronicle of an undercover visit
Date: 2019-11-14 02:13 pm (UTC)Me too. This actually had been a tricky question, because on the one hand, France was supporting the American rebels as part of its anti-British policy, but on the other, the King of England, good old George III, was still also Prince Elector of Hannover, and thus a key peer in the HRE. Which Joseph was the ruler of. So both "yay rebels!" and "rebels are the worst!" would have been a slight to someone. This being said, I think the phrase does allow speculation he might have had sneaking sympathies overseas nonetheless.