Marie-Louise of Austria

Marie-Louise of Austria born the December 12th 1791 with Vienna (Austria), dead the December 17th 1847 with Parma (Italy), was Impératrice French then duchess of Parma, Plaisance and Guastalla (1815 - 1847).

Childhood

Marie-Louise is the girl of the emperor François I {{er}} of Austria and the small-niece of the queen Marie-Antoinette, guillotinée by the French revolutionists in 1793.

The Habsbourg-Lorraine, of which Marie-Louise formed part, had been high in the hatred of Napoleon I {{er}}: it has four months when revolutionary France declares the war with “King de Hongrie” his father, almost two years when it learns that his/her aunt Marie-Antoinette was guillotinée, and four years when his/her young cousin, Marie Therese de France, sixteen years old, is exchanged against prisoners after three years of imprisonment.

During all its youth, its country was in war against the France and amputee of many territories. It preserves a terrible memory of the occupation of Vienna by the Napoleonean army, with the guillotines in the streets Vienneses and the hosts crushed by the soldiers.

It receives a middle-class education, studies the music with Ferdinando Paër, walks in the streets of Vienna with her father, and plays with the children of the servants.

Four years of common life with Napoleon - 1810-1814

Napoleon I {{er}} divorce of Joséphine de Beauharnais because it did not give him an offspring. He hesitates between the sister of the tsar of Russia and the girl of the emperor of Austria. He accepts finally the offer of the emperor of Austria, which he has constrained with peace after the difficult victory of Wagram. This marriage aims also to alleviate the relations between France and Austria, which knew 18 years of war. “I marry a belly! ”, known as Napoleon. He takes lessons in deportment and learns the waltz.

On her side, Marie-Louise of Austria agrees “to sacrifice for the happiness of the State” .

A marriage is initially celebrated by procuration, with Vienna, on March 11th, 1810, like wants it the tradition. Then Marie-Louise comes to France. Impatient, the emperor is not contained and goes to the meeting of fits with body with Compiegne, the March 27th. The evening even, without awaiting the official marriage, it initiates his young wife with her marital duties. The following day, happy, it slips with its aide-de-camp Savary: “My expensive, marry Allemande, they are the best society women, soft, good, naive and fresh like pinks! ”

Monday April 2nd 1810, at 40 years, Napoleon marries the archduchess of Austria Marie-Louise, 18 years old. During three weeks, they live a Honeymoon, crossed world.

Marie-Louise is badly accommodated by the family of Napoleon, like by the imperial court. The most modest people appreciate it. For example, she discusses easily with the Parisian ones when she walks in the garden of Tileries. Its middle-class education had undoubtedly helped it.

Less than one year later, the March 20th 1811, is born the heir so much awaited: Napoleon II. Complications took place during the childbirth. Napoleon then says to save in priority the mother, contrary with use which is to save the child. What is equivalent saving Austrian alliance before having other children, Habsbourg being prolific women. The child is quickly entrusted to Mrs. de Montesquiou, called “ mom Quiou ”, which became its controlling.

In 1813, whereas a war against Austria bursts again. Marie-Louise lines up as regards Napoleon, against her own father, the emperor of Austria. Moreover, when Napoleon leaves to shift against the Russia and the Austria, Marie-Louise becomes regent of the Empire. She has twenty and one years. She is surrounded by Jean-Jacques-Governed of Cambacérès, Charles-François Lebrun, Joseph Bonaparte, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord and Anne Jean Marie Rene Savary. All these people are ready to betray Napoleon in his absence, while Marie-Louise remains to him faithful.

According to the historian Andre Castelot, the Empress would have given up the emperor. The hatred of Napoleon, inculcated during his childhood, would have remained to him after its marriage, which was in fact only one political alliance between the two Empires. On the contrary, the historian Genevieve Chastenet ensures that the latter would have always remained on the side of the emperor.

When Paris is threatened militarily, Marie-Louise must flee with Blois. After the abdication of Napoleon, she is convinced by her father to turn over to Vienna with her son. She will re-examine Napoleon never again. The emperor refuses that Marie-Louise accompanies it with the isle of Elba, because he prefers his mistress to him. She will have lived only four years with Napoleon I {{er}}.

Marie-Louise, duchess of Parma, Pleasure and Guastalla

See also: Duchy of Parme#la Napoleonean period post

Article 99 of the act of the Congrès of Vienna of the June 9th 1815 gives him on a purely basis for life the Italian duchies of Parma, Plaisance and Guastalla, where it reigns until its death the December 17th 1847.

After the death of Napoleon i, she marries the August 8th 1821 in second weddings Adam-Adalbert, count de Neipperg, from their union will be born Albertine in 1817, Guillaume in 1821 and a second girl born in 1822 and deceased child. Albertine and Guillaume will receive the titles of countess and count de Montenuovo, translation Italian of Neipperg. The February 17th 1834, it marries in third weddings Charles-Rene, count de Bombelles, always with Parma.

Its funeral is celebrated in the vault of San Ludovico, then the coffin is taken along to Vienna, in the crypt of the Capuchins, tomb of the imperial family of Austria.

Random links: