Anne Marie d'Orléans

Lost Kingdoms – Kingdom of Sicily

The Kingdom of Sicily began its life in 1130 when it was created by Count Roger II of Sicily with the agreement of Pope Innocent II. Roger was married three times. His first wife was Elvira of Castile who was thus the first Queen of Sicily. They went on to have six children together, and [read more]

Anne of Savoy

Lost Kingdoms – Kingdom of Naples

The Kingdom of Naples was created in 1282 as a result of the War of the Sicilian Vespers, where the Island of Sicily revolted and was conquered by the Crown of Aragon. The first King of Naples was Charles I of Anjou, the youngest son of Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile. Charles was married twice, first [read more]

Maria Carolina of Austria

Marie Antoinette of Austria – Madame Déficit

Her Majesty has given birth to a small yet perfectly healthy Archduchess. – Count Khevenhüller The Archduchess On the morning of 2 November 1755, Maria Theresa gave birth to her 15th child, a daughter named Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna, they would call her Antoine. Like her siblings before her, her early youth was spent with [read more]

Austria

The second Maria Carolina of Austria

In continuation of our “Year of Maria Theresa” series, we take a look at the birth of (the second) Maria Carolina. Born on 17 September 1748, Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria was born to Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress and Francis of Lorraine. She was the second child of the couple to be named Maria Carolina. She had [read more]