Austria emperor franz joseph12/6/2023 The Compromise only partially re-established the former pre-1848 sovereignty and status of the Kingdom of Hungary, being separate from, and no longer subject to, the Austrian Empire. The empress was now able to live out her role as mother unopposed.The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 ( German: Ausgleich, Hungarian: Kiegyezés) established the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, which was a military and diplomatic alliance of two sovereign states. Known as the ‘Hungarian child’, Marie Valerie was brought up with Hungarian as her first language, dearly loved and idolized by Elisabeth. The birth of Elisabeth’s youngest daughter Marie Valerie, who was born in 1868, ten years after Rudolf, was connected with the empress’s enthusiasm for all things Hungarian. She had an intimate friendship with the later Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy which is often painted as a romantic relationship however, this is regarded as highly unlikely. She admired the Hungarians’ struggle for independence, and her lively interest in Hungarian affairs made her very popular there. Elisabeth was to retain an enthusiasm for the language and culture of Hungary all her life. It was also during this time that Elisabeth’s only political ambitions came to the fore, in her fervid support for the project of the Compromise with Hungary that was eventually realized in 1866/67. Her ultimatum accepted, she ensured that Rudolf received an upbringing and education based on liberal middle-class principles, which caused a sensation at the Viennese court. Elisabeth threatened to leave her husband if the rigorous military drill to which her son was being subjected and which was negatively affecting the child’s sensitive nature was not ended immediately. Elisabeth was also adept at using her husband’s idolization of her to her own advantage.Īnother turning point in Elisabeth’s attempts at achieving a degree of independence came in 1865 with her ultimatum to Franz Joseph concerning the upbringing of her son Rudolf. Nonetheless, the relationship between the two was marked by great trust and respect. Franz Joseph’s love for his wife grew ever stronger, but his affection was not returned to the same degree by Elisabeth. Having been described as pretty but also shy and childlike when she married the emperor, the empress was now also developing into a great beauty. She began to demand her own space, ensuring for example that she and her husband had separate bedrooms, which was an unusual arrangement for married couples at the Viennese court. When Elisabeth returned to Vienna in 1861 all at court were greatly surprised to see that she had turned into a self-confident young woman. To encourage her he allowed Gisela and Rudolf to be taken to Venice, where they were reunited with their mother again after this lengthy separation. Franz Joseph again urged her to return, above all for the children’s sake. Soon after her return she had a relapse, prompting a four-month stay on Corfu. Six months later she was deemed to have been cured but postponed her return for another month in order to make a cruise on the Mediterranean, after which Franz Joseph urged her to come home. By contrast, Elisabeth had stumbled into the role, which was to remain alien to her for the rest of her life.Įlisabeth spent the winter of 1860/61 on Madeira recuperating physically and mentally. The ambitious Sophie had deliberately foregone this position, sacrificing her personal happiness to the good of the dynasty. The conflict was rooted in a completely different approach to the role of empress. The nature of the relationship between the two women has been explored at length by biographers. The young empress was able to ‘take a holiday’ from life at court and the domination of her mother-in-law in the form of extended stays at health spas. The mysterious illness from which Elisabeth was reported to be suffering from 1859 can to some extent also be seen as her way of escaping the pressures that beset her. Although she at first tried to fulfil the expectations that has been placed in her, she soon fell into a kind of passive resistance. After the first years of her marriage Elisabeth succumbed to a phase of resignation.
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