The Habsburg Rebels

Members of the Habsburg dynasty were raised to be obedient, faithful, loyal and devoted to serving their country. Nevertheless, throughout history there were individuals in the family who resented the principles of the ruling dynasty and who rebelled, either secretly or openly, against norms and traditions that were often outdated. Some defied the head of the family to pursue their love, Some defied the head of the family to follow their hearts, others rejected a military career, and still others renounced their family titles and privileges in order to pursue their dream profession. There were even those who dared to criticise their ruling relatives, disobeyed and disrespected their noble parents, ran away from home, provoked and incited their surroundings, or ridiculed Habsburg principles.

The fourth part of the mini-series of lectures on the Habsburgs is dedicated to selected "black sheep" of the family. It will focus on examples of unacceptable love affairs of disinherited members, as well as scathing criticism of military drill, Catholic dogma and court protocol. It will recall the moral excesses and even crimes of some Habsburgs, but it will not forget those who, through their rebellion, contributed to the positive development of the monarchy. Lecture by Jaroslava Šiftová.