Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

The February Revolution – Losing faith

Thursday, 8 March 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The February 1917 revolution … grew out of prewar political and economic instability, technological backwardness, and fundamental social divisions, coupled with gross mismanagement of the war effort, continuing military defeats, domestic economic dislocation, and outrageous scandals surrounding the monarchy. By 1917, many Russian has lost faith in the Tsar and his regime. Corruption was rife, and [read more]

The Bonaparte Women – Letizia Bonaparte

Wednesday, 7 March 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Maria Letizia Ramolino was born on 24 August 1750 as the daughter of Nobile Giovanni Geronimo Ramolino and Nobile Angela Maria Pietrasanta, who were low ranking nobility of Genoa. She was educated at home. On 3 June 1764, she married the 18-year-old Carlo-Maria Buonaparte, who was still a law student at the time. She was accompanied by over 50 male cousins. [read more]

What is love? Sophie of Mecklenburg and her marriage to King Frederick II of Denmark

Tuesday, 6 March 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 1

This article was written by Michelle. In 1572, at the age of 14, Princess Sophie of Mecklenburg married Frederick II, who was by the Grace of God, King of Denmark and Norway, the Wends and the Goths, Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn and Dithmarschen, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst and thereby she became one of [read more]

Lost Kingdoms – Kingdom of Italy

Monday, 5 March 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The creation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 was the result of Italian nationalists and those loyal to the House of Savoy who wished to establish a united kingdom encompassing the entire Italian Peninsula. The Kingdom of Italy was preceded by the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, the papal states and the [read more]

Elisabeth of Austria – Playing matchmaker

Friday, 2 March 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

This article was written by Franziska. A problematic marriage The marriage of Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth of Austria began under the most unusual circumstances: the young emperor was supposed to marry Princess Helene of Bavaria – Elisabeth’s older sister. What happened instead is well known to fans of Elisabeth and the Habsburgers worldwide. The [read more]

Carolina of Orange-Nassau – Ancestress of the Kings and Queens of Europe

Wednesday, 28 February 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

My book Carolina of Orange-Nassau – Ancestress of the Kings and Queens of Europe is available now in both the UK and the US! Carolina of Orange-Nassau was born on 28 February 1743 as the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange and Anne, Princess Royal, the daughter of King George II and Caroline of Ansbach, [read more]