Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 39

[cahn]

Last post, along with the usual 18th-century suspects, included the Ottonians; changing ideas of conception and women's sexual pleasure; Isabella of Parma (the one who fell in love, and vice versa, with her husband's sister); Henry IV and Bertha (and Henry's second wife divorcing him for "unspeakable sexual acts"). (Okay, Isabella of Parma was 18th century.)

Comments

Re: Leopold II

[cahn]

"Hey! No more sick, infertile Habsburgs! Lots of kids! Healthy! Of Sound Mind! A plus future monarchs! Because I'm that good!"

So this was both extremely informative, thank you! and also made me laugh out loud. Yes, MT, you have good genetics, excellent taste in whose genetics would match well with yours, excellent womb, good job! lol! <3

Meaning that in that century, models of how to fulfill expectations of being a good monarch AND a good mother at the same time were none existant, but MT undoubtedly was aware that being seens as a BAD or neglectful mother (not bad parent! Specifically bad mother) would have been nearly as damaging to her reputation as being seen as a weak monarch.

Oh gosh. That makes a lot of sense.