Liszt and Princess Carolyne

Liszt eventually left Marie for Princess Carolyne Sayn-Wittgenstein. When the handsome and talented musician informed Marie about his new relationship, she made the stunning rebuke that she was sure that Marie would not be happy being 'one of his mistresses'.  Unfortunately, this new love-affair also ended unhappily.

Princess Carolyne was brought up on a huge estate near Kiev which had 30,000 servants, but it was also bleak and isolated.  Her parents were well-educated and cultured.  Rossini taught her charming mother singing.  Her parents separated when Carolyne was young, and she became close to her father.  In fact, she liked to stay up late at night and smoke cigars with him!  This was considered unfeminine in those days.

The young girl's father was also fond of her, but not fond enough.  He insisted that she marry the wealthy Prince Nikolaus, although she refused the prince's proposals three times.  He may even have punished her for refusing.  Unsurprisingly, the marriage turned out to be unhappy, except for their lovely daughter, Marie.  Carolyne and her husband soon separated.

Her father's death in 1844 made Carolyne extremely wealthy.  This 'child of the steppes' inherited 14 estates. She had to manage them alone, and she endured long journeys in blizzards and severe weather so that she could sell her crops and make contracts.  It was a tough and lonely existence for the young woman.

Cultured and well-educated, Carolyne loved music, and she met Liszt at a charity concert.  She impressed him with her kind heart by giving the charity one hundred rubles.  She fell in love with the mesmerizing musician quickly, and wrote to him that he was her 'heart and soul' soon afterwards.  Their letters were extremely romantic.

She invited Liszt to her main estate at Worinince and the relationship developed rapidly.  After a little more than a year, she decided to run away to be with her lover even though she was still legally married.  She made a dangerous escape during the revolution of 1848 -armed soldiers were at all the borders.  However, she and Liszt settled in the Altenberg amongst many famous artists and musicians.  They lived separately for the sake of appearances, but everyone knew that the Princess was Liszt's mistress.

Now that he was happily settled, Liszt , who became the Kappelmeister at the court of Weimar, wrote several compositions, including twelve symphonic poems, piano sonatas and concertos.  Carolyne spoiled him and made it easy for him to compose.

They were happy for twelve years, but Carolyne had a lot of trouble obtaining an annulment from the Catholic church.  She was almost successful, but it became too difficult for the couple, even though her husband who was a Protestant obtained a divorce and even married again. The wedding in Rome was even arranged, and the church looked resplendent with flowers and candles. However, at the last minute the Pope decided that the case needed to be re-examined, probably because of the intervention of the Tsar and Carolyne's rather nasty relations.  She then lost heart, because she knew that annulment cases are never closed, and she was concerned about her daughter's legitimacy. Repentant and miserable, the Princess eventually settled in Rome where she had wanted to marry Liszt.  She decided to devote the rest of her life to the Church, and she also wrote books.

Princess Carolyne and Liszt remained good friends.  The musician eventually took holy orders himself.

Franz Liszt's Mistress Marie d'Agoult

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Beautiful and wealthy, Marie de Flavigny was the daughter of a German mother and a French aristocrat. Well-educated and a lover of literature, Marie went to French convents and spoke fluent French and German.  She met Goethe and she read authors such as Victor Hugo.  She also composed musical pieces and played the piano.

Unfortunately, she was young and naive when she married the soldier Charles, the Comte d'Agoult, who was fifteen years older than her.  She didn't get on with his family and she didn't care for him very much.  He realised this and offered her her freedom if she ever wanted it!  However, they had their first daughter Louise the year after their marriage in 1826, and it looked as though they might stay together.  Marie established a salon in Paris and pursued her intellectual and cultural interests.

Six years after their marriage, however, Marie met the young 21-year old Franz Liszt at a party and fell for his green eyes and tall, handsome looks immediately.  The couple shared a love of music and Marie could hardly fail to be impressed by the talented musician.  They began a friendship that developed into a love affair after Marie's first daughter died and she became depressed.  Liszt sent her a book by George Sand and they began an affair.  The couple eventually ran away to Italy when Marie became pregnant. She left her second daughter Claire with her husband.

The couple lived together in Italy and Switzerland, and they were often criticised and isolated because of their immorality.  But many artists didn't care, and they associated with people such as George Sand and Frederick Chopin, who dedicated his second set of etudes to her.  They had three daughters: Blandine, Cosima and Daniel.  Cosima married Richard Wagner.

Unfortunately, the affair didn't last because Liszt travelled a lot to perform and Marie suspected him of being unfaithful.  She got fed up with this, and they eventually broke up.  Marie returned to France, established another salon, and wrote acclaimed novels and political histories, including a three-volume History of the Revolution of 1848 and Nerida.

She is certainly a fascinating character, and I intend to read more about her!

The Dance That Philip II of Spain Banned

Many people think of the sarabande as an elegant and romantic dance, but it was once a fast and lively dance and song.  Called the zarabanda, it originated in South America and Mexico, and the European conquerors imported the dance to Spain and Portugal in the 16th century.  Africans in Brazil influenced the movements of the dance steps.

Pious Europeans found the sarabande absolutely shocking, because they thought that it contained lewd steps and words.  Philip II banned the dance in 1583, and ordered steep punishments for those caught dancing or singing the sarabande. Men and women were sentenced to 200 lashes. Men also had to endure six years in the galleys, while women were banished.

People still kept dancing the sarabande, however.  In 1603, Father Juan de Mariana called it 'so lascivious in its words and so unseemly in its motions that it is enough to inflame even very decent people'.  Several priests and monks criticised the dance, especially when Creole nuns danced it in front of churches on Christmas Eve.

The sarabande became a popular court dance in France and Italy in later centuries.  It changed into the stately and romantic dance that we know today.

Corelli sarabande

Prince Harry is Here!

The Sainted 'Boy-King'

(Statue of King Louis in Saint Louis, Missouri)

The festival of Saint Louis - King Louis IX of France - is held on August 25.  Saint Louis achieved many great things in his short lifetime.  He brought peace and justice to his kingdom, led a Crusade, helped the poor, promoted Gothic art and architecture and founded the Sorbonne.  He is certainly worthy of celebration!

Louis became king when he was only 12.  His mother, Blanche of Castille, the regent, was a strong and pious woman who taught him public speaking, writing, religious education and the arts of government.  She organised his coronation in Rheims quickly in an effort to deter the ambitious nobles who wanted to take over Paris, and successfully returned to the city with her young son.  The people came out to support the 'boy-king' and the nobles were forced to watch the mother and son return.

Unfortunately, when the young man married, Blanche became extremely jealous of his wife Margaret, the daughter of the Count of Provence.  They managed to have a happy marriage anyway, and the couple had six daughters and five sons.

Louis became king in his own right in 1235.  He became noted for his piety, always remembering that his mother told him that she'd rather he 'died at her feet, than commit a mortal sin'.  He attended Mass often, and he took great pride in serving the poor himself.  Poor people would feast at his palace on ordinary days and holidays.  He also gave the poor generous gifts of money, and he founded a hospital for the blind and a house for former prostitutes.

Beautiful churches were also built during Louis's reign, including the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle.  This reputedly contains the relics of the Crown of Thorns, which were given to the king.  

Louis led the Seventh Crusade, attempting to rescue Jerusalem from the Muslims.  Unfortunately, he was captured by the Egyptians, and his army had to pay a huge amount for his ransom.  He spent four years in the Crusader kingdoms, but his efforts ended in defeat.  However, he did win another war during his reign - against Henry III of England. He returned to France distraught after his mother died in 1254.  Nevertheless, he issued his Great Ordinance, making the nobles swear to give justice to all and forbidding them to take bribes.  They were also forbidden to take land in the territories which they served.

Robert de Sorbon, a highly educated priest, suggested that the king build a college for poor students.  This became the great Sorbonne, still a noted centre of education today.

Unfortunately, Louis's Christianity did not extend to the Jews - he hated and persecuted any Jews who would not convert.  He forbade them to engage in professions or keep holy books.  He was also preparing to expel the Jews from France before he died.

King Louis returned to the Crusades in the last years of his reign, and died at 56 on August 25.  He exhorted people to 'Love God, do justice, and help the poor'. Saint Louis in Missouri, U.S. is named after him.

The Future King Appears

This video clip of the little prince is so cute!  Be sure to watch him waving his hand and doing the peace sign as well.

It's A Boy!

Wonderful News!

The New Royal Baby Will Arrive Soon!

Great news! The royal baby will arrive soon!

The Wedding of Anne of Cleves

Anne of Cleves must have been extremely nervous.  She was marrying a much older King, who had become fat and unattractive, and she knew the fates of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.  She also knew little about the facts of life.

Henry VIII didn't want to go through with the marriage at all.  Impressed by Holbein's portrait of a pretty blonde, he couldn't wait to meet Anne.  However, the real Anne disappointed him.  He complained that she wasn't nearly as blonde or as pretty as she was in Holbein's portrait.

The wedding took place in the Queen's Closet at the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich on Twelfth Night (January 6), 1540.  Archbishop Cranmer married the royal couple. Anne, who behaved demurely and sweetly, wore a gown of cloth of gold embroidered with pearls and a coronet of rich gems and pearls.  The rosemary in her hair symbolised remembrance and constancy.  Her long blonde hair was untied to represent virginity.  Henry also looked very grand in a gown of cloth of gold decorated with silver flowers and a satin coat tied with large diamonds.

 After the wedding, the couple attended the Mass of the Trinity.  They then enjoyed a lavish wedding feast of spices and sweet meats. The marriage was disappointing for Henry and Anne, however.  According to Henry, he could hardly bear to touch Anne, and she was surprised when he kissed her on the forehead and rolled over after the first night. The marriage was never consummated, and it only lasted six months.  It delighted Henry that Anne readily consented to a divorce, and he gave her a large settlement, including an annual allowance, a house in Lewes, Hever Castle and several luxurious possessions.

Queen Beatrix Abdicates and Prince Willem-Alexander Becomes King

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated in favour of her son in April.



Crown Prince Willem-Alexander Becomes King



'Our Mary' looked absolutely stunning, I'm pleased to note.  I think that her dress was the best!

The Sixtieth Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation

Today is the sixtieth anniversary of our wonderful Queen's coronation.  Here are a few links:

Highlights of the Coronation



Lady Anne Glenconner's Memories



Note that she said that 'it was the most amazing day of her life'.

Please pray for Prince Philip's quick recovery.

New Post Soon

Hello everyone,
I'm having a bad time at the moment, but I hope to write a new post soon.

R.I.P. Princess Lilian of Sweden

The beautiful coalminer’s daughter had finally become a princess at 61.  She married her Swedish prince in a simple ceremony, wearing a blue dress and carrying lilies of the valley.  The King and Queen of Sweden attended the wedding.  She was now Princess Lilian of Sweden.

The Welsh beauty born in Swansea was always destined for better things.  She left school at 14 and found a modelling career in London, where she modelled for Vogue.  However, she worked in a factory making radios and in a hospital during the Second World War.  The then Lillian Davies married the Scottish actor, Ian Craig, but she quickly fell in love with her handsome prince, Prince Bertil, who she met at a cocktail party.  They intended to marry soon after she obtained her divorce.

The prince’s father, King Gustav VI of Sweden, forbade the couple to marry, however, after the prince’s brother died in an aeroplane crash.  This must have been extremely irritating because some of his brothers had renounced their rights to the throne and married commoners.  Queen Sylvia and Princess Sybilla regarded the young woman as an interloper, according to some reports, and she couldn’t attend official functions.  She also refused the Queen’s invitation to tea. *

The couple had a long and secret romance and lived together in Sweden and France.  They never had children, because they were forbidden to marry.  This was a big regret for both of them, but the princess became very close to the royal children.

The couple married in 1976, after King Carl XVI Gustaf gave permission.  He had also married a commoner, and the princess became great friends with his wife, Queen Sylvia.  She was also the godmother of Prince Carl Philip.  Still beautiful, Princess Lilian now enjoyed attending the royal functions and wearing gorgeous jewels.

She recently died at 97, and she is buried next to her prince in the royal Haga cemetery on the outskirts of Stockholm.

* Queen Elizabeth II

New Post Next Week

I am sorry that I have been away for so long.  I am writing a new post, and I hope to publish it next week.

Exciting News!

Richard III Is Found!