Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

Queens Regnant – Pokou of Baoule

Friday, 3 February 2017, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Pokou of Baoule was born around 1730 as the daughter of Nyakou Kosiamoa. She became a leader of a group which broke away from the main Ashanti Confederacy, which she had refused to join. She had led her group to the Komoe river after a long journey but was unsure as to how to cross [read more]

Book Review: The Diary of the Favourite Daughter of Empress Elisabeth of Austria

Thursday, 2 February 2017, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 1

This article was written by Franziska. Among all the books that have been written about the famous Elisabeth of Austria, the diary of her youngest and favourite daughter is a special one. Martha and Horst Schad have edited the diary of Marie Valerie for a wider audience. The diary was first published in 2005 by [read more]

Last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots on display for six hours

Wednesday, 1 February 2017, 17:02 Moniek Bloks 1

The last letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots before her execution is being put for public display by the National Library of Scotland. She wrote the letter just six hours before her execution on 8 February 1587. The letter has not been on display since 2009, and for preservation reasons, it will only be [read more]

Charles Joseph of Austria – Do not weep for me, mother

Wednesday, 1 February 2017, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

On 1 February 1745, Maria Theresa gave birth to a second son with the full name: Charles Joseph Emanuel Johann Nepomuk Anton Prokop. He soon became his mother’s favourite son, and he was known to have hated his elder brother, Joseph. The rivalry was strengthened by the fact that Charles had been born to a reigning Emperor [read more]

Princess Grace’s childhood home will reopen to the public

Tuesday, 31 January 2017, 15:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Princess Grace of Monaco’s childhood home will be reopening to the public in the near future. Her son, Prince Albert II of Monaco, who purchased his late mother’s home in Philadelphia last year spoke to People Magazine about the property. The property isn’t set to become “exclusively a museum.” Prince Albert plans to hold “different [read more]

Ermengarde de Beaumont – Queen of Scots

Tuesday, 31 January 2017, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Ermengarde de Beaumont was born around 1170 as the daughter of Richard I, Viscount of Beaumont-le-Vicomte, Fresnay and Ste-Suzanne and his wife, Lucie de l’Aigle. Her father was a descendant of King Henry I of England through an illegitimate line. Her marriage to King William I of Scotland was arranged by King Henry II of [read more]