Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 41

[cahn]

Now, thanks to interesting podcasts, including characters from German history as a whole and also Byzantine history! (More on this later.)

Comments

Re: Royal Remarriages: Byzantine Edition

[mildred_of_midgard]

Agreed that remarrying within a few months even with the pressure of needing an heir was seen as unusual/distateful and always remarked upon.

When you think you're a frog, exceptions are made. ;) (The reason apparently given by historians was that Philip was so uxorious because he had a strong sex drive and was too pious to cheat on his wife, but I'm with Kamen, who understands a thing or two about mental illness and says the guy was dependent on his wives for emotional support. Frederik, and Denmark I guess, are lucky Moltke had such robust health and outlived Frederik (by 26 years)).

It is rather tempting to be touched by reading *all* the letters where Frederik keeps saying he will belong to Moltke until his death/the grave/his last sigh, that only death will separate them, etc., and to realize that he kept his word: he wanted Moltke there for his final operation, and died in his arms. If only dysfunction hadn't accounted for so much of that!

(I have an AU where he gets to abdicate and go be part of the Weasley Moltke family, and somehow that makes things better (via magic :P).)

Did I have great taste in Zoes or what?

You did! I didn't know this story at all, thanks for passing it on. One day I will study Byzantine history, and then I'll have all these lovely write-ups to refresh myself on that will be very helpful.