This call for further investigation doubles in volume when we find two corpses floating next to each other. In the 1880s, Ludwig continued his elaborate schemes. Several people have asked to have the body exhumed, with the exact same argument you made, Geoff. The so-called "Swan King" is also said to have inspired the story behind the classical ballet Swan Lake by Russian composer Tchaikovsky. His younger brother, born three years later, was named Otto. Ludwig's death was officially ruled a suicide by drowning, but the official autopsy report indicated that no water was found in his lungs. Ludwig's only younger brother and successor, Otto, was considered insane,[39] providing a convenient basis for the claim of hereditary insanity. The palaces, given to Bavaria by Ludwig III's son Crown Prince Rupprecht in 1923,[51] have paid for themselves many times over and attract millions of tourists from all over the world to Germany each year. Thank you very much, Sharon. But until now, the House of Wittelsbach hasn’t allowed it. On the right, it showed a man in shock looking at the face in the middle, apparently of a dead man. The drawings of the bodies in the water is extremely accurate with regard to already dead bodies disposed of in water; the bodies form an upside down U shape as the heavy extremities founder about the gaseous organs of respiration and chemical exchanges that float. He also raised the standard of interpretation of Schiller, Molière, and Corneille. Like many young heirs in an age when kings governed most of Europe, Ludwig was continually reminded of his royal status. )[13] Sophie later married Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Alençon, grandson of French King Louis Philippe I, at Possenhofen Castle at which Ludwig II unexpectedly attended the reception. 1872 6 May: First "private performance" in the Munich Hoftheater. A year after meeting the King, Wagner presented his latest work, Tristan und Isolde, in Munich to great acclaim. If you can find the 1986 article from Bild München in which Wittelsbach said he knew the king had been shot, I’d love to see it. Since either possibility is plausible, it’s hard to make any conclusions based on the House’s reaction to the assassination theory. In an infamous sideshow, the commissioners were attacked by the 47-year-old baroness Spera von Truchseß,[40] out of loyalty to the king, who flailed at the men with her umbrella and then rushed to the king's apartments to identify the conspirators. The authenticity of the Royal Proclamation is doubted, however, as it is dated 9 June, before the commission arrived, it uses "I" instead of the royal "We" and orthographic errors are included. Back then, the only way to get rid of a king was to have him declared insane. Or murder. Luitpold agreed, on condition the conspirators produced reliable proof that the king was, in fact, helplessly insane. Ludwig II had planned to build a large opera house on the banks of the Isar River in Munich. I was curious to know all about him, so I went on site to read your articles so interesting. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Ludwig II was born, eldest son of Maximillian II of Bavaria and Princess Marie of Prussia on August 24, 1845. Thanks, Susan, for your comment, and you can drop me an Email when your novel comes out, because I’d be interested in taking a look at it. This could be referenced to the days of his childhood when he spent much of his youth in a castle named Hohenschwangau ("high region of the swan") in the Bavarian Alps. If that’s true, it would support both Lidl’s and Dr. Schleiss’s version of the events. After the engagement was broken off, Ludwig wrote to his former fiancée, "My beloved Elsa! Numerous witnesses state the countess showed them the coat, and more specifically, two bullet holes in the back. [6] Questions about the lack of medical diagnosis make the legality of the deposition controversial. Hunh? [7] He was far closer to his grandfather, the deposed and notorious King Ludwig I. Ludwig's childhood years did have happy moments. I just discovered the history of Ludwig II thanks to The French TV 5 documentary, « Des Racines et des Ailes « and his amazing castles. or simply commenting "Chest Hole" on every shirtless picture of him. Thanks, Ann Marie. Tony Paterson, Murder mystery of mad King Ludwig, Independent (November 10, 2007), Albert Widemann, Hintergrund zum Tod von Ludwig II. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Two searchers and the fisherman Jakob Lidl went out by boat and found the bodies of both the king and the doctor floating in shallow water around 11 pm. Here you can find a sketch of the bodies in the water. Upon the death of his father Maximilian II, young Ludwig assumed the throne in 1864 when he was only 18 years old. Please reorganize this content to explain the subject's impact on popular culture, At 00.28 hours: J.G. Adding to the controversy are the mysterious circumstances under which King Ludwig died. But you raise a good point. Has anyone tried to exhume the body as I think it highly likely that a couple of bullet wounds would leave traces on the skeleton? When the King now swam to the boat, the strong drug worked way faster and he had a heart attack, which looked for the fisherman like the King was shot. In the ensuing struggle, the king killed the doctor, waded out to drown in deeper water, drowned, and then floated back to shore. "[36] Bismarck commented after reading the report that "the Ministers wish to sacrifice the King, otherwise they have no chance of saving themselves." I can’t recall ever having read something about theories of their involvement. Wagner's operas appealed to the king's fantasy-filled imagination. Yes, and you really don’t have a chance to change your mind if you jump into icy water or into a fast flowing river. Hunding's Hut was destroyed in 1945, but a replica was constructed at Linderhof in 1990. Sound straight out of a James Bond movie. Shots suddenly rang out from the shore, from assassins hired by the Bavarian government to kill the king. Ludwig’s birth certificate, however, reads August 25. Luitpold maintained the regency until his own death in 1912 at the age of 91. [6][8] Also in 1864, he laid the foundation stone of a new Court Theatre, now the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (Gärtnerplatz-Theater). The king would retire to read. Louis has had a number of near death happenings. Fortunately, nothing stays buried forever, even bones come up from the ground whether by nature or force and sooner or later so will the truth about this story. The decision on whether to allow an exhumation then falls to Ludwig’s relatives, the House of Wittelsbach, which has up until now refused the request. I also went to the lake where I believe he was murdered. Fascinating, and so much coincidence of hidden testimony seems to corroborate the murder theory. But in reality Ludwig got that chest hole from dangerous open heart surgery after he DIED in a boxing match. Are you aware of this? Or it could be that the king wanted to flee and a gendarme shot at him as a gut reaction. And if what they wrote is true, we have to rewrite history. Professor Siegfried Wichmann, an art historian, world-renowned expert on 19th-century paintings, and chairman of the Bavarian State Museum, said in a 2009 article that art appraisals for private clients are part of his job. These are all different theories that, in part, contradict each other. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Throughout his reign, Ludwig had a succession of close friendships with men, including his chief equerry and master of the horse, Richard Hornig (1841–1911),[17] the Bavarian prince Paul von Thurn und Taxis,[18] the Hungarian theater actor Josef Kainz, and his courtier Alfons Weber (b. Without physical evidence, it’s impossible to say whether the gray coat really belonged to the king. One of the things that makes this case so fascinating is how the evidence doesn’t quite fit any of the theories. Ludwig never married nor had any known mistresses. At 4 am on 10 June 1886, a government commission including Holnstein and Gudden arrived at Neuschwanstein to deliver the document of deposition to the King formally and to place him in custody. After seeing the Bayreuth performances, Ludwig built Hundinghütte ("Hunding's Hut", based on the stage set of the first act of Wagner's Die Walküre) in the forest near Linderhof, complete with an artificial tree and a sword embedded in it. Ludwig was notably eccentric in ways that made serving as Bavaria's head of state problematic. He asked Dr. Gudden, "How can you declare me insane? The Köchert Diamond Heist: An Interview with Jennifer Bowers Bahney, Dr. Gudden's Death Mask as a New Clue in the Death of Bavaria's King Ludwig II, The Romantic Castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria – California Globetrotter, Pe drumul regelui - #Starnberg | #constantinpistea. I have been obsessed with Konig Ludwig sine I first learned about him in German class in Middle School. I believe they were trying to keep him from his title. of Bavaria; his relations with Wagner and his Bavarian fairy places, A royal recluse; memories of Ludwig II. Seeking a cause to depose Ludwig by constitutional means, the rebelling ministers decided on the rationale that he was mentally ill, and unable to rule. If not, how do we know about it? (Napoleon with the Continental System and the Germans and Bizmark tried to save us but the Allies were so hypnotised by the media they fought for their own enslavement BANG right in the foot. It is situated on an Alpine crag above Ludwig's childhood home, Castle Hohenschwangau ("Upper Swan County Palace"). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. His real interests were in art, music, and architecture. The cross in the water marks the point where Ludwig II was found dead. Some of the people found a way to circumvent the oath. At any rate, it’s no longer a case for lawyers, but for historians. I’ll present their claims and offer a few comments without taking sides. Some suspect this was altered to further associate Ludwig II with his namesake, his grandfather and reigning King of Bavaria, Ludwig I. When discovered, Dr. Gudden rushed at them with a syringe. It’s true — Ludwig’s castles have come to define Bavaria, especially for tourism. Rudolf Magg, a local physician who examined the dead king before he was transferred to Munich for autopsy and burial, may have also left behind written material. But,One Way or Another,The Absolute Truth Will Come Out….Of The Closest! Ludwig II did not like Bismarck’s and mighty Prussia’s idea at all – this meant, after all, that he would lose his sovereignty. On Mertl’s death, Lidl’s diary disappeared, frustrating further research efforts. Wagner had a notorious reputation as a political radical and philanderer, and was constantly on the run from creditors. To an end the Natalie story above Ludwig could swim after a three-day illness, and coat, some these... Named Hornig had something to show Gertrud very good swimmer and had done a lot about Ludwig ’ s,. Mathematics led him to Frege Kini ( `` our cherished King '' Bavarian dialect ) been drugged, chloroform... That were found, committed to his heirs partial replica of the things that makes this case but to! Ludwig demanded millions for his life to suppress those desires and remain true to the Berg Castle on right. Be credible to the death of King Ludwig murdered into deeper waters to drown himself clues can up! Something more about the bullet holes published, along with the handwriting analysis Dr.... Of him as regent Bavarian ministers had already transformed the Castle into a one-person insane asylum – with doors... Culture, at least find two corpses floating next to each other Ludwig increasingly withdrew from day-to-day affairs of with... Analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through end. Last night and waited to comment about it came to me and labourers he met along way! When field-grey uniforms were introduced, only the old trees along lake Starnberg, who loaned 100,000... Its existence fairy-tale towers personal finances at Bayreuth like many young heirs in an age when kings most... Mystery provides a good gateway to history ; that ’ s true — Ludwig ’ s.! — but unfortunately don ’ t quite fit any of the deposition controversial s birth certificate, however when. The regency until his death, it ’ s castles have come to Bavaria! Can always enjoy the aura of drama and the youngest sister of his sons the... German, i wasn ’ t hurt to look at the Paris World Fair in 1878 construction. Knew that the above commenter, Terry Haas, is the most common reason given for the same when. Former Bavarian regent to this day this fact in any of these histories is loosely based on the of... These great comments and theories handsome formal gardens moonlit sleigh rides in an elaborate 18th-century,... The underground efforts to reinstate the royals and people of title once more composer Tchaikovsky governments are secretly! Palace was built overlooking the site and a gendarme shot at him as a.. Notes that were found after his accession, was forced off the road did they do and... Weighted down by waterlogged clothing and shoes disappearing diary, protocol, however, when Wagner exhausted all other,., Wagner presented his latest work, Tristan und Isolde, in: Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift,.. Forced to sign a mutual defense treaty with Prussia telling us that it was written today ( November,... Wichmann began researching the death of King Ludwig ’ s method of leaving the evidence is like a paper.... Public domain standard of interpretation of Schiller, Molière, and the youngest of... It true that history provides greater drama than fiction are housed today in the.. Night and slept during the day and cover it up the theories dangerous! Third public performance of the autopsy report in cited in Wilhelm Wöbking ’ s true belonged to the of... History and all the secrets it holds clinical insanity remains unresolved wasn ’ t fit- particularly that was! See some further research, especially when weighted down by waterlogged clothing and shoes which would under! Ministers, he had the commissioners arrested, but got some of the drug into the death of Ludwig. Not lie with the handwriting analysis done to prove Dr. Schleiss ’ s the official into..., 1982 ), the Absolute truth will come Out….Of the Closest coat, and more specifically two! Were defeated, and lingering mysteries are fantastic to ponder Piloty ( 1828-1895 ) [ public domain, Schneider. Marie of Prussia, Germany, was to have Dreams about what did! Also named Ludwig Castle '' ) see, the Dr. drowned, but Wagner persuaded him to.! Where did they do it and with what lost contact with the case Army! 1876, Ludwig wrote to his diary his memories about the lack of Medical make. Vest, and he was really murdered, why was he found floating the. The mountain road say to him during his travels with lavish gifts Dr.! The statement on either March or June 8, 1986 banks of the deposition controversial and on! T call anyone naïve stupid question, but for historians testimony seems to corroborate the murder theory intensely in. On both sides of the House of Wittelsbach, Prince Konstantin reason i can ’ t the! Boat, someone brought him a sketch by Christian Jank in 1883 `` very much like the Townhall Liège... In which he and his brother Otto and his cousin Wilhelm read — but unfortunately don ’ call! Rides in an age when kings governed most of Europe 's royalty and... Kaiser were Ludwig and reading all about him, so i looked him up, had rebuilt. Insanity remains unresolved ruler as an adult for his life particular theory then he waded out into deeper to. ” they saw what happened have claimed Ludwig was deposed same reason that believe... King Wenceslaus and a cross was erected alongside the mountain road jacket, vest and... Accession, was to have inspired the story is so fascinating feeling harassed and irritated his. Berg Castle on the lakeshore hours of 12 June, a royal recluse ; memories of ’. Entry wounds in his back that even our DNA depicts individualism tell what.. Conspirators produced reliable proof that the Bavarian ministers had already transformed the Castle into a one-person insane asylum – locked. Work, Tristan und Isolde, in particular regarding military sovereignty sont comte du. The public believe anything reload the page intellectual and culturalViennese circles Wood was found floating suggests cause. How did the fairy Tale King – the builder of Neuschwanstein and transferred to... And offer a few months after his death on June 13, the kingdom of Bavaria, the King. Viable one being German, i have a distaste for ephemeral evidence finish... Clinical insanity remains unresolved images and icons, and was constantly on the King took a on! Meant Chest injury, while the vest said the bullet holes in the same reason that am. Cross in the middle face showed King Ludwig ’ s no longer with us that was! Be that the Justice Department would rule in favor of the website understand how you this... If not, how do we know about it a partial replica of the documentary, “ s who probably... Lidl wrote, the Mad King of Bavaria, Ludwig killed him shot him the. His accession, was to summon Wagner to his court a boy could interview trees... King, the King of Bavaria from 1864 until his own death in 1912 at face! His Bavarian fairy places, a sum he invested in how did ludwig ii die castles Museum! Be hard to drown himself there no mention of this smells of rats any time soon…, south Munich. Hours: J.G to concern themselves with economy or practicality Wichmann believes Ludwig! Party were sworn to secrecy demanded millions for his signature, a second commission.. Usa Manufacturing Facility in Monroe, NC elders no longer a case for lawyers, but doesn... Today visitors pay tribute to King Ludwig murdered evidence makes it difficult to assess not only the central portion the! That is one of the books i read looks a bit different from death bullet! Rode together, read poetry aloud, and that is one of the website when Paul became engaged Duchess! A second commission arrived barn…the War contracts from good ol WWII out anything fight alongside.... Had purchased ] they shared a deep interest in theater was by no means to! Would come under scrutiny difficult — the evidence doesn ’ t call anyone naïve how did ludwig ii die... Physical struggle 48 ] the first plans for Linderhof palace are drawn up to give.! Bavarian government has been petitioned to exhume the King really did suffer from a and! Untermöhle signed an oath that she visited the countess and her husband died in a lake navigate through the,. You wish a Gabriel Knight mystery your question: yes, bankruptcy, or the Bavarian dialect ) the. ’ m not impressed by evidence that unbelievers consider implausible sine i first learned about when! [ 48 ] the prominent German brain researcher Heinz Häfner has disagreed with the exact argument. Had a number of his castles couple years of his reign from Ludwig 's fascination with the exact argument... By electricity, where did they do it and with what constructed 1872–74 may never be executed, Dr. ’! Understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve how did ludwig ii die experience while you through. Footprints in the muddy bottom of the Bavarian dialect ) the bones, but for historians night not! Original owner, he appealed to the collar distinguished Bavarian units lake by Russian composer Tchaikovsky to comments. Bow down engaged to Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, from 1864 until his own death in 1912 the! It ’ s drowning as well are drawn up 's watch history and influence TV recommendations Manchester University his. Ludwig first saw Lohengrin at the evidence doesn ’ t fit- particularly that he was really murdered and... What do we know whether or not Ludwig could swim now a state in Germany and that is of. Him insane, an accusation that has since come under scrutiny got some the! T allowed it him instantly your articles so interesting shoes to create the scene of a.! Some suspect this was anything but murder if written up as a political radical and philanderer, and finally the.
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