Welcome to the story of an Archduchess born in 1743.
This royal princess lived a life filled with drama, intrigue and politics,
all surrounded by the backdrop of 18th-century Europe.
From the early rumours of marriage negotiations to her appointment
as the canoness of a noble women’s convent, this lady’s beauty
and intelligence made her a valuable asset to the Habsburg dynasty.
Despite the challenges she faced, she maintained her independence
and made a name for herself as a strong and lively character in society.
So join me now as I delve into the fascinating world
of Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria.
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Imagine growing up as a princess in the heart of the Habsburg Empire.
That was the story of Maria Elisabeth Josepha Johanna Antonia, born on August
13, 1743, as the sixth
child of the Holy Roman Empress, Maria Theresa,
and the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis Stephen.
From a young age, Maria received
an education that would prepare her for life as an archduchess,
including skills and knowledge that would make her an ideal spouse.
But there was one thing that set her apart from her siblings.
You see, Maria was a bit of a wild card,
a free spirit who marched to the beat of her own drum.
Those close to her affectionately referred to her
as “Liesl.”
She knew from a young age that she was the most beautiful of her sisters,
and it didn’t matter if the admiration came from a prince
or a a simple guardsman - Liesl was content.
Her mother, Empress Maria Theresa, however, saw things differently,
referring to her as a “pretty coquette” and foolishly immature.
But despite what others thought of her, Liesl lived her life on her own terms
and left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
Try and picture it, the 18th century, and you’re a princess, a valuable
asset in the game of royal marriages.
This was the story of Maria Elisabeth, a young woman whose beauty was seen
as a tool for negotiating marriages between powerful European monarchs.
However, her parents had high standards for her potential husband,
and as a result, many marriage negotiations were thwarted.
Rumours of her potential suitors swirled, with the first being Charles
III of Spain after his wife’s death in 1761.
But that didn’t come to fruition.
Then there were
whispers that King Stanislaw of Poland was interested,
but that was quickly shut down by Empress Catherine II of Russia.
Another possibility was a marriage to her cousin,
Prince Benedetto, Duke of Chablais, but her brother Joseph saw her
as a valuable political asset and wanted a more
advantageous match.
By the standards of the time, Maria Elisabeth’s 24th
birthday in 1767 was late for being unmarried.
But then, in 1768, something
exciting happened.
During negotiations for her sister’s marriage to the French heir,
it was proposed that Maria Elisabeth be engaged
to the recently widowed King of France, Louis XV.
This would have created a powerful alliance between
France and Austria through two marriages.
Negotiations were underway, and a marriage contract was in the works.
But then, disaster struck - Maria Elisabeth fell
ill with smallpox.
The illness left her with terrible scars and damaged her beauty,
but she eventually recovered.
The wedding was off!
It was after Maria Theresa’s death in 1780,
Maria Elisabeth’s life took a new turn.
Her brother Joseph, who wasn’t fond of having women in court, asked her
and her sisters to leave the Hofburg Palace and the Schönbrunn Palace.
But, unlike the life of a nun, Maria Elisabeth was appointed as the canoness
of the Innsbruck Convent for Noble Women by her mother.
Maria would stay here for the next 15 years.
However, this new role allowed her to maintain
her high social status, receive a personal allowance,
and even host parties and gatherings in her apartments.
And, as her brother Leopold became the Emperor in 1790,
he made her more involved in government affairs.
She opened the Provincial Assembly in Innsbruck on Leopold’s behalf
and often represented him in ceremonial events in the city.
Her quick wit and amusing
self-irony made her well-liked in high society,
even though her fiery personality could be intimidating at times.
She hosted many notable visitors,
including artists like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
She spent some time traveling, including a winter in Bruneck
and frequent visits to the Puster Valley with her chamberlain,
Count Spaur.
Maria Elisabeth was known as “Kropferte
Liesl” due to her smallpox scars and being overweight,
but despite that, she continued to live a lively
and fulfilled life.
Eventually, as the
clouds of war loomed over Tyrol, Maria Elisabeth made a daring escape
from Innsbruck to the safety of Vienna and Linz.
Despite the turmoil and uncertainty surrounding her,
she continued to live her life with grace and dignity.
Eventually, her time on this earth came to an end, and on
September 22, 1808, Maria Elisabeth passed away
at the age of 65.
Her final resting place was the Linz Jesuit Church,
a fitting tribute to the noblewoman who had lived a life of service,
both to her family and to her faith.
And though she may be gone, her legacy lives on,
a testament to the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit
that defined her life.
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