Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 48

[cahn]

Some awesome historical RPF candyheartsex stories for meeeeee (or by me, in one tiny case) with historical characters! I'm just going to note whom the stories are about here. They are all so good!!

Anne Boleyn/Catherine of Aragorn
Frances Howard and Frances Coke (or: James I's court was basically a HOTBED of scandal, omg)

And two that are also historical RPF but also consistent with the Jude Morgan novel The King's Touch, which is an excellent historical novel narrated by James ("Jemmy") Scott, Duke of Monmouth, Charles II's illegitimate son.

Princess Henrietta of England (Charles II's sister and wife of Philippe I duc d'Orleans)
James of Monmouth/William/Mary

Comments

Re: Marie Adelaide of Savoy - II

[selenak]

Honestly, it's a miracle when anyone survives the freaking doctors!

No kidding. When I read in the Duc de Croy's diaries of how the doctors repeatedly bled Marie Antoinette during her labour with her first baby (her daughter) and "saved her life" this way, I thought that clearly, this means MA must have inherited MT's iron constitution if she survived that one.

That's... that seems terrible to me (even after factoring in the terribleness that she was about to die).

I know, that's why I included it. If something summons up the artificiality of life at Versailles and the warpendness of living in an absolute monarchy in devastating way...

I checked my edition of Liselotte's letters and it turns out the letter where she writes to her aunt Sophie (of Hannover) about Adelaide's death is the very same she congratulates her to the birth of grandson Fritz. I hadn't thought about it, but it fits. Fritz was born on January 24, 1712, Adelaide died on February 12th, 1712, and Liselotte writes this letter on February 14th. (From Marly.)

We're all very sad here because two days ago in the evening around a quarter to nine, Madame la Dauphine has died. I am so convinced the doctors murdered this poor princess that I'm telling Your Grace this. They've given her some medicine and a lot of rubbish, and she started sweating, and then they didn't have the patience to outwait the sweating; in the middle of all the sweating, when she was red and the measles were all over her skin, she was put into warm water and bled for the fourth time (....). Now it's all over. I can't look at the King without getting tears into my eyes; he's in such a sad state that a stone would feel pity.

I compliment Your Grace on the happy arrival of your grandson, the Crown Prince of Prussia. May God give this prince many long years to live! The King in Prussia must be doubly pleased, firstly to have a new grandson, and secondly for having a new opportunity to organize a grand ceremony, for the baptism won't fail to provide this. I marvel of how different events can go in the world; while everyone is full of happiness in Berlin, everything is loneliness and sadness over here. (...) The Crown Princess didn't have to suffer long in her labours; three and a half hours, it could hardly have been less, especially since the outcome was such a happy one. Of course one can't be sure about anything, who wouldn't have bet on Madame la Dauphine, and now she is gone. Monsieur le Dauphin is completely devastated, but he is young, in time he can marry again and heal his wound, whereas the loss to Madame de Savoy* is eternal, as is the one to the King, for she had been raised entirely to please him, she was his comfort and his joy, and of such a merry disposition that she could always cheer him up.


*Madame de Savoy: Adelaide's mother, Liselotte's stepdaughter, whom, lest we forget, she has raised, since Anne Louise d'Orleans was still in her diapers when Minette died. (Minette's older daughter, married to the genetic wonder later, was 8 when Minette died and thus old enough to remember her. Liselotte and both of her stepdaughters got on well, and remained in contact when they were married off abroad.)

Re: Marie Adelaide of Savoy - II

[cahn]

this means MA must have inherited MT's iron constitution if she survived that one.

Oh yes, I remember you mentioning this. GAH.

If something summons up the artificiality of life at Versailles and the warpendness of living in an absolute monarchy in devastating way...

THIS.

I am so convinced the doctors murdered this poor princess that I'm telling Your Grace this.

You were right, Liselotte, and you should say it!

The King in Prussia must be doubly pleased, firstly to have a new grandson, and secondly for having a new opportunity to organize a grand ceremony, for the baptism won't fail to provide this.

Hee!
(Meanwhile, FW is taking notes that he won't have expenses like this! ;) )

Re: Marie Adelaide of Savoy - II

[mildred_of_midgard]

I am so convinced the doctors murdered this poor princess that I'm telling Your Grace this.

You were right, Liselotte, and you should say it!

You know, that would make an interesting study: did the mortality rate of measles drop off noticeably after doctors stopped bleeding people?

(Meanwhile, FW is taking notes that he won't have expenses like this! ;) )

Which is good, because he and SD have 14 children! Which is not a problem F1 had.