FRANZ I, Holy Roman Emperor (1745–65), Fran-çois III Étienne, Duke of Lorraine and Bar (1729–37), and Francesco Stefano, Grand Duke of Tuscany (1737–65), were all the same person. At that period, as so often in its long history, Lorraine was a shuttlecock between its neighbours, France and Germany, and it became a vital element in the diplomatic manoeuvring that ended the War of the Polish Succession. Francis (for simplicity) was married to the Emperor’s heiress, Maria Theresa, whereas the defeated candidate in Poland was father-in-law to Louis XV.
Francis gave up his duchies to Polish Stanislaus, who, in time, would leave them to the French Queen. There was also a succession problem in Tuscany, where the last Medici had no male heir, so Francis was compensated there. In due course, he and Maria Theresa inherited the imperial crown, which inevitably ignited the War of the Austrian Succession—und so weiter, und so weiter.
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Denne historien er fra March 08, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Kitchen garden cook - Apples
'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'
The original Mr Rochester
Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre
Get it write
Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution
'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery
