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King Ludwig II

Portrait by Gabriel Schachinger, 1887
Reign 10 March 1864-13 June 1886
Born 25 August 1845
Birthplace Nymphenburg Palace
Died 13 June 1886
Place of death Lake Starnberg
Buried St. Michael's Church, Munich - Wittelsbach family crypt
Predecessor Maximilian II
Successor Otto
Royal House Wittelsbach
Father Maximilian II
Mother Marie of Prussia

Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm II, King of Bavaria (August 25, 1845 – June 13, 1886) was king of Bavaria from 1864 until shortly before his death. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the Year 1845 ( MDCCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg is a Baroque Palace in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Lake Starnberg ( Starnberger See) in southern Bavaria is Germany 's fourth largest lake and a popular recreation area for the nearby city of Munich The former Jesuit church of St Michael in Munich is the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps Maximilian II of Bavaria ( November 28, 1811 &ndash March 10, 1864) was king of Bavaria from 1848 until 1864 Otto I of Bavaria (Otto Wilhelm Luitpold Adalbert Waldemar von Wittelsbach 27 April 1848 &ndash 11 October 1916 was King of Bavaria from 1886 to 1913 The Wittelsbach family is a European Royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria. Maximilian II of Bavaria ( November 28, 1811 &ndash March 10, 1864) was king of Bavaria from 1848 until 1864 Marie of Prussia (Marie Friederike Franziska Hedwig von Preußen October 15, 1825 - May 17, 1889) was Queen of Bavaria, and Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the Year 1845 ( MDCCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Kingdom of Bavaria (Königreich Bayern was a German state that existed from 1806&ndash1918 He is also referred to as the "Swan King" in English and "der Märchenkönig" ("the Fairy tale King") in German. Swans are Birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and Ducks Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A fairy tale or fairy story is a fictional Story that may feature folkloric characters (such as fairies, enchantments]] often involving The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages.

Ludwig is best known as an eccentric who died under mysterious circumstances. (Ludwig's psychological condition was questioned towards the end of his life resulting in his deposition without medical examination. [1]) Ludwig's legacy is also intertwined with the history of art and architecture, as he commissioned the construction of several extravagant fantasy castles (the most famous being Neuschwanstein) and was the patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein Castle ( German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit New Swan Stone palace; nɔʏˈʃvaːnʃtaɪ̯n is a 19th-century Bavarian Patronage is the support encouragement privilege and often financial aid given by a person or an organization

Contents

Life

Childhood and adolescent years

Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria with his younger brother Prince Otto in 1858.
Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria with his younger brother Prince Otto in 1858. Otto I of Bavaria (Otto Wilhelm Luitpold Adalbert Waldemar von Wittelsbach 27 April 1848 &ndash 11 October 1916 was King of Bavaria from 1886 to 1913

Born in Nymphenburg Palace(today located in suburban Munich), he was the eldest son of King Maximilian II of Bavaria and his Queen, Princess Marie of Prussia. The Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg is a Baroque Palace in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Munich (München; Minga is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. Maximilian II of Bavaria ( November 28, 1811 &ndash March 10, 1864) was king of Bavaria from 1848 until 1864 Marie of Prussia (Marie Friederike Franziska Hedwig von Preußen October 15, 1825 - May 17, 1889) was Queen of Bavaria, and

In an age where Kings were responsible for the governance of most of Europe, Ludwig was continually reminded of his royal status as a child. King Maximilian wanted to instruct his sons Ludwig and Otto in the burdens of royal duty from their childhood onwards. [2] Ludwig was extremely indulged and yet severely controlled by his tutors and subjected to a strict regimen of study and exercise. There are some who explain much of his odd behavior as an adult due to the stress of growing up in a royal family. Ludwig did not have a very close relationship with either of his parents. King Maximilian's advisers had suggested that on his daily walks he might like to at times be accompanied by his future successor. The King replied, "But what am I to say to him? After all, my son takes no interest in what other people tell him. " [3] Ludwig referred to his mother as "my predecessor's consort". [4] He was far closer to his grandfather, the deposed and notorious King Ludwig I, who came from a family of eccentrics. Ludwig I (also rendered in English as Louis I) ( August 25 1786 in Strasbourg &ndash February 29, 1868 in Nice

Ludwig's childhood years did have happy moments. He lived for much of the time at Castle Hohenschwangau, a fantasy castle his father had built near the Swan Lake near Füssen. Hohenschwangau is a village in the municipality of Schwangau, Ostallgäu district Bavaria, Germany. Füssen is a town in Bavaria, Germany, in the district of Ostallgäu situated 5 kilometres (3 miles from the Austrian Border. It was decorated in the gothic style with countless frescoes of the walls of heroic German sagas. He also visited Lake Starnberg with his family. Lake Starnberg ( Starnberger See) in southern Bavaria is Germany 's fourth largest lake and a popular recreation area for the nearby city of Munich As an adolescent, Ludwig became best friends with his aide de camp, the Prince Paul Maximilian Lamoral of Thurn and Taxis of Bavaria's wealthy Thurn and Taxis family. An aide-de-camp ( French for camp assistant) is a personal assistant secretary or Adjutant to a person of high rank usually a senior military officer The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis (Das Fürstenhaus Thurn und Taxis is a German family that was a key player in the postal services in The two young men rode together, read poetry aloud, and staged scenes from the Romantic operas of Richard Wagner. Romantic Music is a Musicological term referring to a particular period theory compositional practice and canon in European music history from about 1815 to 1910 The friendship cooled somewhat when Paul became engaged. During his youth Ludwig also initiated a lifelong friendship with his older cousin, Elizabeth, Duchess of Bavaria, later Elisabeth, Empress of Austria. Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie ( 24 December, 1837 &ndash 10 September, 1898) of the House of Wittelsbach, was the Empress The phrase Emperor of Austria describes an Hereditary Imperial title and position proclaimed in 1804 by the Austrian Habsburg They loved nature and poetry, and nicknamed each other "the Eagle" (Ludwig) and "the Seagull" (Elisabeth).

Reign

Ludwig II just after his accession to the throne of Bavaria
Ludwig II just after his accession to the throne of Bavaria

Ludwig ascended to the Bavarian throne at 18, following his father's death. The following is a list of rulers during the History of Bavaria. He had just come of age and was not prepared for high office when Maximilian II died after a three-day illness. [5] His youth and brooding good looks made him popular in Bavaria and elsewhere. One of the first acts of his reign was to summon composer Richard Wagner to his court in Munich. [6] Ludwig had admired Wagner since first seeing his opera, Lohengrin. Lohengrin is a romantic Opera (or music drama in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner. On May 5, 1864, the 51 year old Wagner met Ludwig in the Royal Palace in Munich. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Wagner's operas appealed to the king's fantasy-filled imagination. Wagner had a notorious reputation as a revolutionary and was constantly on the run from creditors. Ludwig was the saviour of Wagner, who wrote of his first meeting with Ludwig, "Alas, he is so handsome and wise, soulful and lovely, that I fear that his life must melt away in this vulgar world like a fleeting dream of the gods. " [7] Without Ludwig, it is doubted that Wagner's subsequent operas would have been composed. Ludwig called Wagner 'the friend'. Wagner's extravagant and notorious behaviour in Munich unsettled the conservative people of Bavaria and he was asked to leave by the King.

The greatest stresses of Ludwig's early reign were pressure to produce an heir, and relations with militant Prussia. "Heir" and "Heiress" redirect here For the men and women fragrances endorsed by Paris Hilton see Heiress (fragrance. Prussia ( Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Prūsija Prūsija Prusy Old Prussian: Prūsa) was most recently a historic state Both issues came to the forefront in 1867. Ludwig became engaged to Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, his cousin and Empress Elisabeth of Austria's youngest sister. Sophie Charlotte Augustine was Duchess of Alençon and born Duchess in Bavaria ( February 23, 1847 – May 4, 1897) Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie ( 24 December, 1837 &ndash 10 September, 1898) of the House of Wittelsbach, was the Empress Their engagement was publicized on January 22, 1867, but after repeatedly postponing the wedding date, Ludwig finally cancelled the engagement in October. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting A few days before the engagement had been announced, Sophie had received a letter from the king telling her what she already knew: "The main substance of our relationship has always been . . . Richard Wagner's remarkable and deeply moving destiny. " [8] After the engagement was broken off, Ludwig wrote to his former fiancee, "My beloved Elsa! Your cruel father has torn us apart. Eternally yours, Heinrich" (the names Elsa and Heinrich came from characters from Wagner operas) [9] Ludwig never married, but Sophie later married Ferdinand Philippe Marie, duc d'Alençon (1844–1910). Ferdinand Philippe Marie duc d'Alençon ( July 12, 1844 – June 29, 1910) was the son of Louis Charles Philippe Raphael duc de Several counts and then royal dukes of Alençon have figured in French history

Though Ludwig had sided with Austria against Prussia in the Seven Weeks' War, his army was defeated. Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich Prussia ( Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Prūsija Prūsija Prusy Old Prussian: Prūsa) was most recently a historic state The Austro-Prussian Peace conditions forced him to accept a mutual defence treaty with Prussia in 1867. Under the terms of this treaty, Bavaria joined with Prussia against France in the Franco-Prussian War. The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War ( 19 July, 1870 — 10 May, 1871 On the request of the Prussian Minister President, Bismarck, Ludwig wrote a letter in December 1870 calling for King Wilhelm I of Prussia to be declared German Emperor or Kaiser at the creation of the German Empire. Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck Count of Bismarck-Schönhausen Duke of Lauenburg Prince of Bismarck ( April 1, 1815 July 30, 1898) Kaiser is the German title meaning " Emperor " with Kaiserin being the female equivalent " Empress " The German Empire is the name commonly used in English to describe Germany from 1871 to 1918 when it was a semi- Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the Unification He received financial concessions in return for his support. Ludwig had little choice in the matter. The creation of the German Empire relegated Bavaria to a secondary position within the Empire. The days of Bavaria as an independent kingdom were over. Ludwig registered a protest on the changes by choosing not to attend the ceremony at Versailles Palace in France where Wilhlem I was declared German Emperor. [10]

Throughout his reign, Ludwig had a succession of close friendships with men, including his chief equerry and Master of the Horse, Richard Hornig, Hungarian theatre actor Josef Kainz, and courtier Alfons Weber. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic In 1869, he began keeping a diary in which he recorded his private thoughts and his attempts to suppress his sexual desires and remain true to his Roman Catholic faith. Ludwig's original diaries were lost during World War II, and all that remains today are copies of entries made prior to the war. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including These copied diary entries, along with private letters and other surviving personal documents, suggest that Ludwig struggled with homosexuality throughout his life. Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. [11]

Due to the loss of Bavarian independence, Ludwig became increasingly withdrawn from the royal court and government. In the 1880s, Ludwig spent much of his time in seclusion in the Bavarian Alps, where he built several expensive fairytale castles with the assistance of stage designer Christian Jank. The Northern Limestone Alps ( German: Nördliche Kalkalpen) are the ranges of the Eastern Alps north of the Central Eastern Alps located Christian Jank (1833 - 1888 was a German architect Jank was the designer of Ludwig II of Bavaria 's castle Neuschwanstein. Neuschwanstein Castle was built high above the Pollat Gorge, near his childhood home, Hohenschwangau Castle, in tribute to the Nordic sagas of Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde and Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring of the Nibelungen) series. Lohengrin is a character in some German Arthurian literature The son of Parzival (Percival he is a knight of the Holy Grail sent in a Der Ring des Nibelungen ( The Ring of the Nibelung) is a cycle of four epic Music dramas by the German composer Neuschwanstein was never completed. Linderhof Castle, located in the Grswang valley, was built in the style of the time of King Louis XIV of France, and was the only one of his three castles that was completed. Early years Birth and ancestry Louis XIV was born in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 5 1638 and bore the Heir apparent His other castle, Herrenchiemsee, was located on the Herren Island in Lake Chiemsee. Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on the Herreninsel, an island in the middle of the Chiemsee, Bavaria 's largest lake 60 km south east of It is a copy of the central section of Versailles Palace in France, and was never completed. With the reduction of his monarchy to that of a mere titular one within the new German Empire, Ludwig longed for the time of absolutism, when kings had real power.

Deposition and death

Ludwig II of Bavaria towards the end of his life
Ludwig II of Bavaria towards the end of his life

On June 10, 1886, Ludwig was officially declared incapable of executing his powers due to what the four reporting psychiatrists described as "paranoia" [12], although no medical examination had taken place, and was deposed by the government. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common His father's younger brother Prince Luitpold was complicit in the action and was declared regent. Luitpold Prince Regent of Bavaria (Prinzregent Luitpold Karl Joseph Wilhelm Ludwig von Bayern ( 12 March 1821 &ndash 12 December 1912) A regent, from the Latin regens "who reigns" is a person selected to act as Head of state (ruling or not because the ruler is a minor The psychiatrist Professor Bernhard von Gudden headed the psychiatric team. A psychiatrist (also archaically called an alienist) is a Physician who specializes in Psychiatry and is certified in treating Mental disorders Johann Bernhard Aloys von Gudden ( June 7, 1824 - June 13, 1886) was a German Neuroanatomist and Psychiatrist. Their chief "evidence" were stories of Ludwig's odd behaviour, collected from palace servants and his political enemies. The majority of these stories were hearsay and may have been obtained with bribery or threats, and their reliability is questionable. Most historians believe that Ludwig was indeed sane, an innocent victim of political intrigue. [13] Others believe he may have suffered from the effects of chloroform used in an effort to control chronic toothache rather than any psychological disorder. Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane and methyl trichloride, is a Chemical compound with formula C[[Hydrogen H]] Cl Empress Elisabeth held that "The King was not mad; he was just an eccentric living in a world of dreams. They might have treated him more gently, and thus perhaps spared him so terrible an end. "

Ludwig was taken into custody in secret after repeated attempts to detain him. The events proved as unusual as any in his life. An eccentric but loyal baroness arrived at the gates of Neuschwanstein castle to wave her umbrella menacingly and to harangue the first Commission of men who came to imprison Ludwig. Baron is a specific Title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin (liber The king himself ordered all kinds of punishments against his treasonous ministers. The most extreme punishments were never carried out. The commission was, however, locked up in the castle, and later released. A huge force of loyal citizens swarmed from the village below Neuschwanstein to protect their King. They were willing to escort Ludwig under guard across the border to save him, but Ludwig refused. The battalion of soldiers at nearby Kempten had been summoned to Neuschwanstein, but it was detained by the government.

Ludwig attempted to issue the following proclamation to the public:

The Prince Luitpold intends, against my will, to ascend to the Regency of my land, and my erstwhile ministry has, through false allegations regarding the state of my health, deceived my beloved people, and is preparing to commit acts of high treason. [. . . ] I call upon every loyal Bavarian to rally around my loyal supporters to thwart the planned treason against the King and the fatherland.
Memorial Cross at the site where the body of Ludwig II was found in the Starnberger Lake
Memorial Cross at the site where the body of Ludwig II was found in the Starnberger Lake

This was printed by a Bamberg newspaper on June 11, 1886, but the copies were seized by the government fearful of the consequences of their distribution. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Most of Ludwig's telegrams to the newspapers and his friends were intercepted. Ludwig received a message from Bismarck advising him to go to Munich and show himself to the people, but Ludwig felt unable to do so and therefore sealed his fate by refusing to leave Neuschwanstein and rally his people. On the morning of the twelfth, a second Commission reached the castle. The King was arrested at 4:00 am and taken to an awaiting carriage. He asked the person overseeing the operation, Dr. Gudden, "How can you declare me insane? After all, you have never seen or examined me before. " [14] Nevertheless, Ludwig was transported to Castle Berg on the shores of Lake Starnberg, south of Munich. Lake Starnberg ( Starnberger See) in southern Bavaria is Germany 's fourth largest lake and a popular recreation area for the nearby city of Munich

Mystery surrounds Ludwig's death on Lake Starnberg (then called Lake Würm). Lake Starnberg ( Starnberger See) in southern Bavaria is Germany 's fourth largest lake and a popular recreation area for the nearby city of Munich On June 13, at 6:30 pm, Ludwig asked to take a walk with Professor Gudden. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Gudden agreed, and told the guards not to follow them. The two men never returned. King Ludwig and Professor Gudden were found dead floating near the shore of Lake Starnberg at 11:30 pm.

After his death, a small memorial chapel was built overlooking the site. A remembrance ceremony is held there each year on June 13. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for

Ludwig's death was officially ruled a suicide by drowning. This is not accurate. [15] [16] The cause of Ludwig's death has never been truthfully explained. Ludwig was known to be a strong swimmer, the water was less than waist-deep where his body was found, and the official autopsy report indicated that no water was found in his lungs. An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy, or obduction, is a Medical procedure that consists of a thorough Examination It is therefore impossible that he died from drowning. [17] His cause of death remains unsolved as the Wittelsbach family to this day refuses to solve the mystery. [18]Many hold that Ludwig was murdered by his enemies while attempting to escape from Berg. It is claimed that he was shot. [19] The King's personal fisherman, Jakob Lidl stated, "Three years after the king's death I was made to swear an oath that I would never say certain things - not to my wife, not on my deathbed, and not to any priest . . . The state has undertaken to look after my family if anything should happen to me in either peace time or war. " Lidl kept his oral oath but left behind notes which were found after his death. According to these, he had hidden behind bushes with his boat, waiting for the king, in order to row him out into the lake, where escape helpers were waiting. "As the king stepped up to his boat and put one foot in it, a shot rang out from the bank, apparently killing him on the spot, for the king fell across the bow of the boat. " [20] [21] Another theory suggests that Ludwig died of natural causes (such as a heart attack or stroke) during an escape attempt due to the extreme cold of the lake. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain [22]

The remains of Ludwig were dressed in the regalia of the Order of the Knights of St. Hubert and lay in state in the royal chapel at the Munich Residence Palace. In his right hand he held a posy of white jasmine picked for him by his cousin the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. [23] After an elaborate funeral on June 19, 1886, Ludwig's remains were interred in the crypt of the Michaelskirche in Munich. Events 1179 - The Norwegian Battle of Kalvskinnet outside Nidaros. Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In terms of European architecture a crypt (from the Latin crypta and the Greek κρυπτη, kryptē) is a stone chamber or The former Jesuit church of St Michael in Munich is the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps His heart, however, does not lie with the rest of his body. Bavarian tradition called for the heart of the king to be placed in a silver urn and sent to the Gnadenkapelle (Chapel of the Miraculous Image) in Altötting. Altötting is a town in Bavaria, capital of the district Altötting. Ludwig's urn sits beside those of his father and grandfather inside the chapel. Today visitors pay tribute to the late King by visiting his grave as well as his castles.

Legacy

The coat of arms of King Ludwig over the entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle.
The coat of arms of King Ludwig over the entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people Neuschwanstein Castle ( German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit New Swan Stone palace; nɔʏˈʃvaːnʃtaɪ̯n is a 19th-century Bavarian

Ludwig II is remembered as one of the most beloved and unusual rulers in Bavarian history. He was quite popular among his subjects, for three major reasons. First, he attempted to avoid wars, giving Bavaria some years of peace. Whether this was due to a belief in pacifism or a lack of interest in politics is debatable. Ludwig always believed Bavaria was closer to Austria than Prussia. Second, Ludwig funded the construction of his famous castles with his personal income, not from the state budget. This gave many people employment and brought a considerable flow of money to the regions involved. Third, his public eccentricities could be quite charming. He hated crowds and formal affairs, but did not consider himself above socializing with his subjects. He enjoyed traveling in the Bavarian countryside and chatting with farmers and labourers he met along the way. Ludwig also delighted in rewarding those who were hospitable to him during his travels with lavish gifts. Ludwig lived mainly away from the court in his castles in the Bavarian countryside. He is still remembered in Bavaria as "Unser Kini" which means "our darling king" in the Bavarian dialect of German. The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages.

Although the construction of his castles very nearly bankrupted Bavaria's Wittlesbach royal family, they were never built with funds from the Bavarian treasury. [24] It is the ultimate irony that the very castles that were claimed, incorrectly, to be ruining Bavaria financially, the reason for his deposition, have today become extremely profitable tourist attractions for the Bavarian state. The palaces have paid for themselves many times over and attract millions of tourists from all over the world to Germany each year.

Ludwig and the arts

Ludwig II with his 'friend' Richard Wagner, the composer of Lohengrin and many other romantic operas at the piano
Ludwig II with his 'friend' Richard Wagner, the composer of Lohengrin and many other romantic operas at the piano

Ludwig was a major patron of composer Richard Wagner, and he funded the construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. Lohengrin is a romantic Opera (or music drama in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner. Bayreuthfestjpg|thumb|350px|right|Bayreuth Festspielhaus as seen in 1882 Without Ludwig's support, it is almost certain that Wagner would have been unable to complete his opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen or to write his final opera, Parsifal. Der Ring des Nibelungen ( The Ring of the Nibelung) is a cycle of four epic Music dramas by the German composer Parsifal is an Opera, or Music drama, in three acts by Richard Wagner. Ludwig also sponsored the premieres of Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and, through his financial support of the Bayreuth Festival, those of Der Ring des Nibelungen and Parsifal. Tristan und Isolde ( Tristan and Isolde, or Tristan and Isolda) is an Opera, or Music drama, in three acts by Richard Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg) is an Opera in three acts written and composed by Richard Wagner The Bayreuth Festival is a music festival held annually in Bayreuth, Germany, at which performances of Operas by the 19th century German composer

Buildings

It is not surprising that Ludwig II had a great interest in building. His paternal grandfather, King Ludwig I, had largely rebuilt Munich. It was known as the 'Athens on the Isar'. His father, King Maximillian II had also continued with more construction in Munich as well as the construction of Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of Ludwig II, near the future Neuschwanstein Castle of Ludwig II. Ludwig II had planned to build a large opera house on the banks of the Isar river in Munich. This plan was vetoed by the Bavarian government. [25] Using similar plans, a festival theatre was built later in his reign from Ludwig's personal finances at Bayreuth.

Ludwig II left behind a large collection of plans and designs for other castles that were never built, as well as plans for further rooms in his completed buildings. Many of these designs are housed today in the King Ludwig II Museum at Herrenchiemsee Castle. Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on the Herreninsel, an island in the middle of the Chiemsee, Bavaria 's largest lake 60 km south east of These building designs date from the latter part of the King's reign, beginning around 1883. As money was starting to run out, the artists knew that their designs would never be executed. The designs became more extravagant and numerous as the artists realized that there was no need to concern themselves with economy or practicality.

An 1890s photochrom print of Neuschwanstein Castle.
An 1890s photochrom print of Neuschwanstein Castle. The 1890s were sometimes referred to as the " Mauve Decade" because William Henry Perkin 's aniline dye allowed the widespread use of that Photochrom is a lithographic print process used to generate Colorized images from black and white Photographic negatives and is despite the name Neuschwanstein Castle ( German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit New Swan Stone palace; nɔʏˈʃvaːnʃtaɪ̯n is a 19th-century Bavarian
Linderhof Castle
Linderhof Castle
Herrenchiemsee Castle
Herrenchiemsee Castle

Ludwig in popular culture

Literature, stage and film

Video and computer games

The computer game Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within features several Ludwig II-related locations and includes extensive discussion of his life, although numerous fictional elements (including werewolves and a lost Wagner opera entitled Der Fluch des Engelhart ("The Curse of Engelhart")) are added to fit in with the supernatural mystery plot of the game. A personal computer Game (also known as a computer game or simply PC game) is a Video game played on a Personal computer, rather See also Lycanthropy (disambiguation Werewolves, also known as lycanthropes, are mythological or folkloric humans with the ability to

Music

A number of musicals based on the life of Ludwig II have been staged. One was called, Ludwig: The Musical by Rolf Rettburg and another, Ludwig II: Longing For Paradise with music by Franz Hummel and lyrics by Stephen Barbarino. Franz Hummel (born 2 January 1939) is a German Composer and Pianist. A special theatre was constructed on the shores of the lake at Fussen, not far from Castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, specifically for the musical performances.

The Clean's spoken-word song Ludwig is about him. The Clean were an influential first-wave punk band that formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1978

The electronic duo Matmos recorded a song entitled "Banquet for King Ludwig II of Bavaria" on their 2006 album The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast. Matmos is an experimental Electronic music duo from San Francisco signed to the Matador Records label The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast is a 2006 album by Matmos.

Electronic music composer Klaus Schulze wrote the song "Ludwig II von Bayern" on his album X. Klaus Schulze (born August 4, 1947) is a German Electronic music Composer and musician. "X" is the tenth album by Klaus Schulze. On "X" Schulze attempted to execute a concept album of six "musical biographies"

There is a restaurant called King Ludwigs at the Disney village in Disney Land Paris

Ancestry

Ludwig's' ancestors to the third generation
Ludwig II, King of Bavaria Father:
Maximilian II of Bavaria		 Paternal Grandfather:
Ludwig I of Bavaria		 Paternal Great-Grandfather:
Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria
Paternal Great-Grandmother:
Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt
Paternal Grandmother:
Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen		 Paternal Great-Grandfather:
Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
Paternal Great-Grandmother:
Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Mother:
Marie of Prussia		 Maternal Grandfather:
Wilhelm of Prussia		 Maternal Great-Grandfather:
Frederick William II of Prussia
Maternal Great-Grandmother:
Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt
Maternal Grandmother:
Marie Anna of Hesse-Homburg		 Maternal Great-Grandfather:
Frederick V, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
Maternal Great-Grandmother:
Caroline of Hesse-Darmstadt

Notes

  1. ^ Wahnsinn oder Verrat - war König Ludwig II. Maximilian II of Bavaria ( November 28, 1811 &ndash March 10, 1864) was king of Bavaria from 1848 until 1864 Ludwig I (also rendered in English as Louis I) ( August 25 1786 in Strasbourg &ndash February 29, 1868 in Nice Maximilian I (also known as Maximilian Joseph) ( May 27, 1756 &ndash October 13, 1825) was Prince-elector of Princess Augusta Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt (Marie Auguste Wilhelmine von Hessen-Darmstadt 14 April 1765 &ndash 30 March 1796) was Therese Charlotte Luise of Saxony-Hildburghausen ( Therese of Bavaria; 8 July, 1792 in Seidingstadt (Castle in the duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen Frederick Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen (b Hildburghausen, 29 April 1763 - d Marie of Prussia (Marie Friederike Franziska Hedwig von Preußen October 15, 1825 - May 17, 1889) was Queen of Bavaria, and Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (1783&ndash1851 was the son of Frederick William II of Prussia and Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt. Frederick William II (Friedrich Wilhelm II September 25 1744 &ndash November 16 1797) was the fourth King of Prussia, reigning from Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt ( October 16, 1751 &ndash February 25, 1805) was Queen consort of the Kingdom of Prussia von Bayern geisteskrank? by Julius Desing
  2. ^ Hans Nohbauer, p. 6
  3. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 12
  4. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 12
  5. ^ Han Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 12
  6. ^ Han Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 25
  7. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 25
  8. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 40
  9. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 40
  10. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 37
  11. ^ McIntosh, pp 155–158.
  12. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 82
  13. ^ Wahnsinn oder Verrat - war König Ludwig II. von Bayern geisteskrank? by Julius Desing
  14. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 82
  15. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 88
  16. ^ Katerina von Burg, Ludwig II of Bavaria, p. 315
  17. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 88
  18. ^ Katerina von Burg, Ludwig II of Bavaria, p. 308
  19. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 88
  20. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 88
  21. ^ Katerina von Burg, Ludwig II of Bavaria, p. 311
  22. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 88
  23. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 86
  24. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 73
  25. ^ Ludwig II. und seine Schloesser by Michael Petzet and Werner Neumeister, p. 24
  26. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 18
  27. ^ Past and present Castles of Bavaria by Paolo Calore, pp. 164-165
  28. ^ Hans Nohbauer, Ludwig II, p. 18
  29. ^ ibid, p. 89
  30. ^ Past and present Castles of Bavaria by Paolo Calore, p. 60
  31. ^ Koenig Ludwig II Museum Herrenchiemsee

Books

English-language biographies and related information on Ludwig II:

German-language biographies and related information on Ludwig II:

External links

Ludwig II of Bavaria
Born: 25 August 1845 Died: 13 June 1886
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Maximilian II		 King of Bavaria
1864-1886		 Succeeded by
Otto I
The Wittelsbach family is a European Royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria. Maximilian II of Bavaria ( November 28, 1811 &ndash March 10, 1864) was king of Bavaria from 1848 until 1864 King of Bavaria was a title held by the hereditary Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria in the state known as the Kingdom of Bavaria from 1805 till 1918 when Otto I of Bavaria (Otto Wilhelm Luitpold Adalbert Waldemar von Wittelsbach 27 April 1848 &ndash 11 October 1916 was King of Bavaria from 1886 to 1913
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