Posts

Showing posts with the label Louis XIV

The impressive history of the royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

Image
As there are "engagement rumours" between Prince Christian of Denmark and Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sililies it is perhaps a good moment to take a look at the family's history of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The Start The House of Bourbon - Two Sicilies descends from Philippe de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou . He was a grandson of King Louis XIV of France. He  founded the Bourbon dynasty of Spain. It was Philippe's grandson, Ferdinand who became in 1759 King of Naples and Sicily. His descendants occupied the joint throne, merged as the "Kingdom of the Two Sicilies" in 1816, until 1861, claimed it thereafter from exile, and constitute the extant Bourbon-Two Sicilies family. A dispute The succession of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies has, since 1960, been disputed between the senior Calabrian line, which is currently being represented by Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria (born 1968) and the junior Castro line, which is currently being represented by Prince Carlo,

royal hobbies: coin collection

Image
The collection of coins for their artistic value was a development and a real royal hobby. My own modest coin collection from the royal Family of Belgium received by my co-worker History Historical records state that in Ancient Rome and medieval Mesopotamia coins were collected and catalogued by scholars and state treasuries.  Emperor Augustus sometimes presented old and exotic coins to friends and courtiers during festivals and other special occasions. More about Augustus on this link .  Coin collecting and appreciation began around the fourteenth century. During the Renaissance it became a must among the members of the  priveleged classes, especially for Kings and Queens.  Many European Kings, princes and other nobility kept collections of ancient coins.  Collectors Emperor Maximilian I of Austria  (1459 - 1519) was a member of the House of Habsburg. He married to Mary of Burgundy.  Maximilian - Source picture Wikipedia More about Maximilian and the House of Habsburg on this link  

Louis XIV of France and the Cult of the Sun King

Image
Perhaps the most famous King ever is without no doubt King Louis XIV of France, also known as the Sun King. Louis XIV - Hotel Negresco in Nice - France Birth 5 September 1638 marks the birth of Louis Dieudonné de Bourbon. He was the oldest son of King Louis XIII of France and his wife Anne of Austria. His birth took place at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the Kingdom of France. Louis, who became Dauphin of France had a younger brother, Philippe who was later the Duke of Orléans. Louis XIV and his family belonged to the royal house of Bourbon. Louis XIV of France  Coronation His coronation took place on 7 June 1654 at the Cathedral of Reims. His image and reputation Louis XIV really took care about his reputation and especially his own image. Every painting, engraving or sculpture displayed him at his magnificent best, even when he was old corpulent and infirm, he still managed to show an aura of power and majesty. Louis XIV carefull