Wer ist Mona Lisa? – Identifizierung einer Unbekannten mit Hilfe historischer Quellen
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Gaston war das fünfte Kind und der dritte Sohn des französischen Königs Heinrich IV. (1553-1610) und seiner zweiten Gattin Maria de' Medici (1575-1642). Er erblickte das Licht der Welt am 25. April 1608 und starb am 2. Februar 1660. Sein ältester Bruder war der französische König Ludwig XIII. (1601-1643).
Gaston im Alter von 14 Jahren im Jahr 1622: "The young Duke of Orleans at this period became a daily visitor at the lever of the Queen [Anna] his sister-in-law. Gaston was a beautiful forward boy of fourteen, idolized by his mother for his sprightly wit, and for his apparent devotion to herself. The brothers [Gaston und sein ältester Bruder Ludwig XIII.], in character, were entirely opposite. Louis XIII. resembled his father, Henri IV. in his contempt of soft luxury; and his readiness to submit to temporary privation. Monsieur [Gaston], on the contrary, was fastidious, luxury-loving, and pleasure-seeking. His raiment was perfumed, and made of the most costly fabrics; rings glittered on his white fingers; and his fair long hair was adjusted to perfection. The dancing of the young prince was pronounced to be exquisite; his voice was melodious; he excelled in the composition of charades ... Beneath this effeminate exterior, nevertheless, the heroic spirit of his ancestors of Albret slumbered. Monsieur showed an early predilection for arms; his fencing was admirable; he was an expert archer; and rode on horseback with an ease and grace which always excited the envy of the King [seines Bruders]. Monsieur's inclination for magnificence and costly ornamentation pervaded all his pursuits. While his brother [Ludwig XIII.] contented himself with snaring magpies and small birds, Gaston, at this period, having just attained his majority, and therefore becoming master of his patrimony, set up a hunting establishment on a grand scale at his château of Montargis; where he built kennels and stables ... The Duke at this period divided his leisure, when in Paris, between the Louvre and the Luxembourg; spending hours at the latter place with his royal mother in the studio of the maestro, Rubens, whom Marie de' Medici had lured from Antwerp to embellish her palace by his immortal pencil. When at the Louvre, Gaston entertained his fair sister-in-law [Anne] and her ladies; and once more made the saloons echo, as in olden times, with merry laughter, and witty repartee." (in: Martha Walker Freer: The Married Life of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, Mother of Louis XIV., and Don Sebastian, King of Portugal (Historical Studies), Volume I, id., pp. 67-69). Gaston besaß auch das Talent, jeden aufkommenden Streit zwischen seiner Schwägerin und seiner Mutter schnell und galant zu beenden.
In erster Ehe war er mit Marie de Bourbon-Montpensier (1605-1627) verheiratet, die ihm die Tochter Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans (1627-1693) schenkte. Seine zweite Frau war seine große Liebe Marguerite von Lothringen (1615-1672), die ihm fünf Kinder, vier Töchter und einen Sohn, gebar: seine Tochter Marguerite Louise (1654-1721), die zukünftige Großherzogin von der Toskana; seine Tochter Elisabeth Marguerite (1646-1696), die zukünftige Herzogin von Lothringen; die Tochter Françoise Madeleine (1648-1664), die zukünftige Herzogin von Savoyen; den Sohn Gaston (1650-1652) und die Tochter Marie Anne (1652-1656).
Foto mit der freundlichen Genehmigung von Ryan Dewkinandan
Zweimal hatte Gaston versucht, seinen ältesten Bruder, den französischen König Ludwig XIII., zu stürzen und zusammen mit dessen Minister, dem Kardinal Richelieu, zu töten. Obwohl beide Versuche fehlschlugen und viele von Gastons Mitverschwörern hingerichtet, verbannt und /oder enterbt wurden, vergab ihm sein königlicher Bruder stets großzügig. Im Jahr 1637 versuchte er erneut, Richelieu ermorden zu lassen: "... as Richelieu, separated from his own attendants, was conversing with Monsieur [Gaston], around whom stood the four gentlemen who, on a signal, were to give the fatal blow. Monsieur, assailed with a remorseful panic, suddenly ran up some steps leading to the King's apartment, leaving Richelieu surrounded by his intended assassins; who, perceiving the Duke's perturbation, dared not strike." (in: Martha Walker Freer: The Married Life of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, Mother of Louis XIV., and Don Sebastian, King of Portugal (Historical Studies), Volume 2, id., p. 18). Und im Jahr 1642 versuchte er es schließlich zum vierten Mal. In diesem Fall sollte Spanien helfen: "... to place the realm of France under the protection of Philip IV. [dem König von Spanien]. The Catholic King was to be asked for a subsidy, and for troops to garrison Sedan, and other places; and, also to give a pledge that Spanish troops should enter France at the bidding of the conspirators. ... This treaty being signed by Philip IV. was brought back to France in triumph ..." (in: Martha Walker Freer: The Married Life of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, Mother of Louis XIV., and Don Sebastian, King of Portugal (Historical Studies), Volume 2, id., pp. 167/169). Aber auch dieser Versuch, Richelieu zu töten, misslang. In diesem Fall war es die französische Königin Anna von Spanien/Österreich, die von dem heimlichen Vertrag zwischen ihrem Bruder Philipp IV. und den Verschwörern durch einen spanischen Gesandten erfuhr und sofort eine Kopie an Richelieu schickte: "The paper in his [Richelieus] hand was a fac-simile of the treaty executed between Philip IV. of Spain, and the subjects of his Christian Majesty [Ludwigs XIII.] - Orleans [sein Bruder Gaston], Cinq-Mars [sein geliebter Freund] Bouillon and Fontrailles. ... A paper ... accompanied the document, containing certain hints which implicated M. de Thou, and others." (in: Martha Walker Freer: The Married Life of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, Mother of Louis XIV., and Don Sebastian, King of Portugal (Historical Studies), Volume 2, id., pp. 175-176). In diesem nun vierten Versuch von Gaston, gegen Richelieu und indirekt auch gegen seinen ältesten Bruder vorzugehen, war Ludwig XIII. zwar nicht mehr bereit, ihm zu vergeben, tat es dann aber doch. Gaston zeigte sich dankbar, indem er wie üblich in solchen Fällen alle Beteiligten in dieser Verschwörung schwer belastete.
"Against M. d'Orleans [Gaston] the anger of Richelieu burned fiercely; and he made no attempt to conceal his sentiments of profound contempt, and indignation. In this feeling Louis [XIII.] entirely sympathised with his minister; and between the two an edict was concerted to deprive Monsieur, and his posterity of their rights to the succession, in the event of the extinction of the issue male of Louis XIII.; a forfeiture justly incurred by his repeated, and malignant treason. This edict was likewise, to debar the duke for ever, from holding executive, or military functions in the realm; it again denied the validity of his marriage with Marguerite de Lorraine [er hatte von seinem Bruder Ludwig XIII. nicht die Genehmigung zu dieser Heirat erhalten] ; and interdicted his residence in Paris, or wherever the court might be sojourning." (in: Martha Walker Freer: The Married Life of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, Mother of Louis XIV., and Don Sebastian, King of Portugal (Historical Studies), Volume 2, id., pp. 201-202).
Kurz vor seinem Tod erliess Ludwig XIII. folgendes Edikt, in dem er die Rolle seines Bruders Gaston in der Zukunft unter der Regentschaft der Königin Anna beschrieb: "To testify to our dear brother the Duke of Orleans, that nothing has been capable of alienating our affection, we will, and decree that he shall be Lieutenant-General of the young King [Ludwig XIV.] in all the provinces of the realm, to exercise such authority under the Queen Regent and her Council; and this, notwithstanding the Declaration registered by our Court of Parliament, which declares the said duke incapable of holding chief office in the administration of our realm. We trust, and rely upon his honour, that he will pay implicit obedience to our will; and that he will from henceforth serve the realm, and our children, with the fidelity and loving kindness which his birth, and the many bounties and graces which we have conferred, exact. Nevertheless, we declare that, in case our said dear brother objects, or rebels against the ordinances contained in this our present Declaration, we will that he be held deprived of the office of Lieutenant-General; and we expressly forbid all, or any of our subjects to recognise him, or to obey him in such capacity." (in: Martha Walker Freer: The Married Life of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, Mother of Louis XIV., and Don Sebastian, King of Portugal (Historical Studies), Volume 2, id., pp. 226-227).
Wer ist Mona Lisa? – Identifizierung einer Unbekannten mit Hilfe historischer Quellen
als Buch bei amazon.de: 172 Seiten, mit Stammtafeln und 136 Bildern (130 Bilder in Farbe), Independently published, 1. Auflage, ISBN 978-1-9831-3666-5, € 29,31
Die Lieblingsrezepte meiner Familie – Liebe geht wirklich durch den Magen (3. Auflage)
bei amazon.de:126 Seiten mit farbigen und schwarz-weißen Bildern, Independently published, ISBN 979-8-7648-5958-3, € 13,28