Chapter 19: Leopold Politician
The seasons came with constant regularity, there was no disputing that. Leopold often thanked God that that was the case, there had been far too much disruption within his life to ever have made something such as being Emperor palatable without something constant. He had had three wives, and numerous children, but only the daughter from his first wife, and the children from his third wife had survived. He knew the importance of dynasty with Carlos of Spain dying, Leopold and his family were the last of the Habsburg dynasty, a dynasty that could not afford to die out. These thoughts weighed heavily on him, as he sat in the imperial conference room in Schönbrunn reading through the dispatches sent from the front, his advisors around him.
Leopold put down one letter and said. “The Turks have gained the upper hand in Southern Serbia . Charles, were you not the one who said that the Turks could not stand to gain anything from launching an attack there and that they would instead look to marching to Sarajevo to reinforce their control there?” Leopold had hoped that that was what the Turks would do, that was what he wanted them to do.
Charles, Prince of Salm and Imperial Field Marshal swallowed, Leopold could hear him thinking. “Sire, my apologies. I misinterpreted the movements of the Pasha. I had thought that they would follow common sense. They are now facing a difficult battle within Southern Serbian, though as you have seen Sire, they are gaining support.”
Leopold looked at Salm, and put the anger and the frustration he felt at this news into that look. Rightfully Salm trembled under the look. “You had advised us that the Serbian people would never wish to float under the whims of the Turks once they were liberated. Would you now care to explain to us, how this has happened?”
Salm hesitated, Leopold could sense that he was not comfortable with the news he had to give, and that simply raised Leopold’s suspicions. “Sire, I think that they are growing tired of the constant fear, that they live under and they wish to simply have some peace and quiet. The Turks are promising them that, Sultan Mehmed has guaranteed their freedoms. Our own men are not quite so prompt.”
Leopold bristled at that and the implications behind Salm’s words. He took a breath, then looked at another one of the commanders on his council. “Caraffa, what are your views on this matter?”
Caraffa was a man who Leopold trusted and increasingly believed that the man was worth more than Salm, for he had predicted that the Serbs would settle but at a cost. “Sire, I believe that we must increase the monetary gains that the Serbs feel they would get from being under your most august rule, rather than that of the Turk.”
Leopold looked at his treasurer and the man said. “I can speak with the bankers, Sire, and arrange loans to make these payments.” Leopold nodded and gestured for the man to do just that.
Deciding that he wished to focus on other matters for the time being, Leopold looked at the map before him and said. “The French have suffered defeats on the Rhine. Metternich, have there been any more letters from within Versailles?” Leopold had been surprised that the Sun King would consider surrendering now, though he was suspicious also, thinking that perhaps this was a simple play for time.
Metternich shook his head. “No Sire, there have been none, though the Duke of Savoy has written to say he is more than happy to apply pressure to the French’s southern flank with an invasion of the Dauphine, provided he receives support.”
“Send Prince Eugene and a contingent of men with him to Savoy then.” Leopold said at once determined to put as much pressure on King Louis as possible. “And what of our dearest son by marriage, what word has he sent?”
“Sire, the Elector reports that things are looking better than they were previously. The Duke of Brunswick has gotten the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and several other German Princes into an alliance to add to the fight against the French. They are marching on Mainz and hope to take the city before the year ends.” Caraffa said.
“And, where is the Dauphin?” Leopold demanded, if they could capture that oaf, then perhaps they could end this war.
“Safely ensconced within Philipsburg, Sire.” Metternich replied. Leopold nodded, they would need to take that town to ensure there was nothing more of contention. “There is something else, Sire.”
“Speak.” Leopold said.
“Sire, my spies report that the Dauphin’s wife is pregnant once more and according to the spies amongst the midwives, it seems she is carrying a daughter.” Metternich said. Leopold leaned forward, the Dauphin had three sons already, a daughter could well make things in regards to Spain far more interesting.
Leopold nodded. “Very well, thank you for informing me.” He dismissed them and remained within the imperial conference room, and once he was sure the others were gone, he picked up the letter that had come from his daughter Maria, he read it again and considered its contents.
Dearest Father,
I write to inform you that I have given birth to a girl, that myself and my dearest husband have agreed to name Margaret Theresa, after our dearly missed Mother.
Yours Faithfully
Maria Antonia.
He put that letter down then read the letter that had come from Rome, from the Holy Father himself.
We would be most happy to grant a dispensation for this marriage between Your Imperial Majesty’s son Charles, and Your Imperial Majesty’s granddaughter Margaret.
He sighed then. The Dauphin’s wife had better not deliver a child at all now, otherwise this war would likely grow worse.