Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Chapter 114, New Holy Roman Empire

Translator: 549690339

Vienna Palace

Upon learning that Franz had traded the Lombard King’s throne with the House of Wittelsbach, Empress Sophie breathed a sigh of relief; this outcome was acceptable to most of the family members.

The relationships among European nobility are complex and interconnected. If the Austrian Government had stubbornly tried to push a Serbian royal crown onto the House of Wittelsbach, Empress Sophie would have been too ashamed to face her family.

It must be remembered that when war broke out, Franz had made a promise to the Bavarian Royal Family, and Empress Sophie had been brought out as a guarantor.

Munich could be taken through negotiations partly because they truly couldn’t win in battle, and partly because everyone’s interests were secured, so naturally, no one was willing to fight Austria to the death.

If it hadn’t been for the royal family’s choice to give up, the House of Wittelsbach, with its centuries of governance, wouldn’t have failed to even muster a defense for Munich.

The Duke of the Electorate of the Palatinate was only a figurehead; this territory was originally ruled by the Bavarian Royal Family. Even without Austrian support, they would likely have retained their titles in the end.

The major Nobility’s foundation was preserved. Politically, Lombardy certainly couldn’t compare with Bavaria, but economically, the Bavarian Royal Family didn’t lose out.

Even if the most important rights were taken away by the Central Government, it was impossible for the King to become merely a rubber stamp, at least not under the Austrian system.

Being overshadowed was only temporary. As long as the King had some ability, he could reclaim most of the rights, and as emperor, Franz could not tolerate civil servants’ insolence.

Otherwise, if they can sideline a king today, they might dare to sideline the Emperor tomorrow.

Suspicion is an emperor’s instinct; actions that breach taboos must be repressed decisively, no opportunities can be left for the civil servants.

In Munich Palace, the Bavarian Royal Family had already begun to move out; they were no longer welcome here. Whether it be the public or the civil servants, no one wanted them to stay any longer.

In everyone’s opinion, the Bavarian Royal Family’s trade of thrones with Austria was the best choice, only then could everyone get along happily.

Those who declared neutrality during the war no longer had to worry about being held to account afterward. With a good place for the royal family to go, they too could now wholeheartedly swear allegiance to the Habsburg dynasty.

Looking at the slowly closing Palace gates, Maximilian II sighed. The rule of the House of Wittelsbach over the Kingdom of Bavaria had ended just like that, and it would not be long before he became Maximilian I of the Kingdom of Lombardy.

Like a curse, the House of Wittelsbach had ruled over not a few territories, but they seldom lasted long. The Kingdom of Bavaria was just one among them.

The House of Wittelsbach still had some foundations, even after their departure, they were still followed by many. A contingent numbering thousands quickly gathered, marching toward the capital city of Milan in the Kingdom of Lombardy under the royal guard’s escort.

That was also a reason the Austrian Government didn’t want to use force; well-entrenched royal households are not so easily confronted. Look at them now, leaving of their own accord.

If things had escalated, the disruption they could cause might keep Bavaria unrestful for three to five years.

Paris

Napoleon III, in a rage, had smashed who knows how many vases for a very simple reason: his marriage plans had hit a snag, with most of the European royal families looking down upon this nouveau riche.

Not long ago, he planned an alliance with Princess Carola of the deposed Swedish royal family but was rejected; now his proposal to Princess Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Langenburg faced another rejection.

It wasn’t just him either; the famed Napoleon had also agonized over this issue. The great nobility despised these upstarts, but the European Continent was a world that looked to pedigree.

If one’s blood was not noble enough, the legitimacy of one’s rule was called into question. If one’s own bloodlines were not noble, then alliances through marriage had to fill that gap.

Napoleon III knew this all too well; he was just Napoleon’s nephew, and domestically he was not well-regarded, in desperate need of a political alliance to cement his position.

Since 1851, he had been tormented by this issue. Until now, there had been no success; the great nobility despised him, and he disdained the lesser nobility.

No wonder he was angry; after all, he was the Emperor of France. Even if he couldn’t marry a princess of direct lineage, at least he should be able to marry one of collateral lineage, right? Instead, he found that not even deposed royal princesses would consider him.

To be rejected over and over, nobody would tolerate such an insult.

Perhaps after venting, Napoleon III coldly asked, “Are there any other candidates?”

The court official spoke in a low voice, “Your Majesty, the status of the remaining candidates is somewhat low and does not match your stature!”

Napoleon III glared fiercely at him; was that not rubbing salt in the wound? The eligible ones he couldn’t marry, and those he could wed, he refused!

In this context, Eugénie de Montijo, a Marshal of Spain with Scottish blood, appeared at the French court.

Tired of the ongoing struggle, Napoleon III decided to marry someone he liked if he couldn’t have an equal match.

On December 1, 1853, Napoleon III announced to all the senior officials his imminent marriage, making it clear that this union shall not be constrained by neither the French people nor by foreign royalty:

“I prefer a woman whom I love and respect, more than a stranger whose alliance would offer advantages and drawbacks.”

A pioneer of love marriage had emerged, and one could say that Napoleon III had set a good precedent; many later followed his example.

This marriage, a topic of amusement amongst the nobility, soon reached Vienna, catching the attention of the Vienna Court. A direct consequence was that the days of Franz’s bachelorhood were about to end.

Metternich reminded him, “Your Majesty, are we really not preparing for the ceremony? This will invite ridicule!”

The new Empire was about to be established, and Franz was set to have another crown placed upon his head. Naturally, a grand ceremony was indispensable.

Yet now, Franz had ordered for there to be no prior preparations and that a simple ceremony would suffice, which, to many, seemed like child’s play.

With a wry smile, Franz said, “There’s no helping it, although several months have passed, the public still harbors hard feelings about the division of the Germany Region.

If we make too grand a show of it at this time, it’s likely to provoke dissatisfaction among everyone. It’s better to keep it simple, as a protest against the outcomes of the Paris Conference.”

His public image must not collapse; in the eyes of the outside world, he is an impassioned, compassionate Emperor, so showing dissatisfaction with the Paris Conference was the role he needed to play.

Whether delivering speeches that criticized the conference or directly writing articles to show off, it all revolved around maintaining this image.

A young and vigorous Emperor making such a decision in a fit of anger was completely reasonable, and perfectly positioned to win the approval of the public, avoiding unwarranted disasters.

Cambrian I, who had just ascended from being King of Hanover to Emperor of the German Federation Empire, was one such unfortunate soul; he had done nothing from start to finish, yet was cursed to the bone by the literati of the Germany Region.

With the country itself being a Comedic Empire, the Emperor was of course a comedic one as well. This moniker was likely to follow him throughout his life and be passed down through history.

Of course, his rise to kingship was quite comedic in itself. Before 1837, Hanover and the United Kingdom shared the same monarch. That year, following the death of Wilhelm IV, Victoria ascended to the throne, and due to a misapplied interpretation of the Salic law, the crown landed on his head.

The reason it was considered comedic is that everyone had overlooked the “Pragmatic Sanction” of Charles VI, Emperor of Holy Rome, which could have justified female succession to the throne—this was precisely how the legal succession of Empress Maria Theresia came to be.

By the time someone pointed this out, the kingship had already been decided. Those who were discontent with Cambrian I often brought up this issue, and now he had been further upgraded to a comedic emperor.

Regrettably, his authority as Emperor was limited; he was unable to control the opinions in the various Sub-States. When the public mood soured, they vented their frustrations by cursing the Emperor.

In fact, Cambrian I was very well-behaved, rarely stirring up trouble, and even his attainment of the crown was the result of a balance of power amongst various factions.

Austria naturally advocated for Franz to take on the role of Emperor of the German Federation Empire, citing his high public support as the reason.

Clearly, this was unacceptable to all parties. If Franz became Emperor, it was likely that the Germany Region would be unified in a few decades.

The Habsburg Family had abundant experience in this matter—the Austrian Empire had come together in just this way. Letting Franz also serve as Emperor would be no different from reviving Holy Rome, right?

The British put forth the House of Hanover. The newly established Federal Empire was to be centered around Hanover, which was competitive. The downside was that the King of Hanover lacked sufficient prestige within the Germany Region.

If Franz had put forward a brother to compete for the throne, given the prestige of the Habsburg Family plus the unwillingness of the Sub-State governments to see Hanover grow powerful, the likelihood of election was almost certain.

Obviously, this was impossible. Austria still aimed to unify the Germany Region—wouldn’t it be problematic for themselves if one of their brothers became Emperor of the German Federation Empire?

With the Habsburg Family out of the running, what remained was a competition amongst various Sub-State royal families. Naturally, with the support of the British, the House of Hanover defeated many competitors and plucked the fruit of victory.

Insisting on his principles, Franz was crowned the “New Holy Roman Empire Emperor” on December 22, 1853, at the Vienna Palace.

The coronation was almost laughably simple, with no guests invited to attend; it was an internal affair of the “New Holy Roman Empire.” Following the swearing of allegiance by a few Sub-States, the matter was considered concluded.

From beginning to end, all faces remained somber with no hint of joy to be seen.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, Franz gave a self-deprecating speech in the National Assembly:

“Today, another crown has been added to my head, and the burden on my shoulders has increased a bit more.

To be honest, I don’t feel happy. Instead of the New Holy Roman Empire, perhaps the name Southern Holy Roman Empire would be more fitting.

No matter what, the Holy Roman Empire has finally been reestablished, albeit a laughingstock to the world, still better than none at all.

The road ahead is long, and we must continue to walk. Today we have moved one step further than yesterday, so will we be able to take another step forward tomorrow?

Since the historic mission has fallen upon us, we must endeavor to complete it.

Some have asked me when the Germany Region might unify. My answer is this: consider that question when we become the world’s foremost power!

We are close to this goal because only two nations stand before us that we need to surpass; yet we are far, given the vast difference in national power.

The path lies ahead—are you afraid?

Fortunately, Franz had self-control, knowing that some words must not be spoken lightly; otherwise, phrases like “neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire” almost slipped out.

The current New Holy Roman Empire, though lacking in holiness and anything Roman, was at least barely an empire. As for the first two qualities, unfortunately, they would forever be unattainable.

Franz was not God; whence came the “holiness”?

“Rome,” aside from its reputation, what use was it?

It seemed Franz’s self-deprecation resonated with many, or perhaps the Austrian Government took care in guiding public opinion, for the New Holy Roman Empire did not become the mockery of the masses.