Die häßliche Herzogin: Roman

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

59464

Title

Die häßliche Herzogin: Roman

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in medieval Tyrol, this novel explores the political machinations and personal rivalries surrounding the court of Duke Johann. It contrasts the manipulative influence of the Duchess Margarete with the innocence of her sister Agnes, while chronicling the ambitions of knights, bishops, and rival dynasties vying for power and territory amidst shifting alliances and religious dispensations.

Summary up to 500 words

Following the sudden death of King Heinrich, the widowed Duchess Margarete of Tyrol finds herself besieged by immediate threats from the Bishops of Chur and Brixen, who claim her late sister-in-law's lands. Her sister Agnes, described as beautiful but helpless, appeals to the young, ambitious Duke Johann, who is initially captivated by her beauty but remains wary of Margarete's formidable intellect. Although physically unattractive to the court, Margarete possesses sharp political cunning, securing the duchy's independence and arranging advantageous marriages to counter the Luxembourg and Habsburg dynasties. The narrative delves into the treacherous court politics where loyalty is fickle and power is the ultimate currency. Key figures include the loyal but marginalized squire Chretien de Laferte, who finds favor with Margarete, and the cynical Konrad von Frauenberg, Margarete's lover, who manages her affairs with ruthless efficiency. The story highlights the tension between traditional feudal values and the pragmatic, often ruthless, realpolitik of the era. As the Duke struggles with the weight of ruling and the pressure from powerful neighbors, the novel paints a vivid picture of a world where morality is secondary to survival and expansion. The text concludes with the Duke's decision to ally with the Habsburgs to secure a bride and stabilize his realm, leaving the future of the Tyrolean lands in the hands of a complex web of familial and political obligations. Lion Feuchtwanger's work illustrates how Margarete, despite her physical appearance and the disdain of her husband, becomes the true architect of her family's destiny, navigating a landscape where the 'ugly' duchess outmaneuvers the beautiful and the powerful alike.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Fiction