Maria Theresia (2017): Season 1, Episode 2 - Teil Zwei - full transcript
Part two.
[Maria Theresia - Part 2
aka Season 01, Episode 02]
What happened here?
This is what the country your father ruled looks like.
What are you implying?
- That he was a bad administrator.
Let's see.
Highness, come back
- Who does he think he is?
It is about your safety.
Make way!
I am Maria Theresia,
The Archduchess of Austria.
She'll never help us.
Come on, drag them by the side of the road.
We want to continue our journey.
The body will be buried
Excuse me, Highness,
but this is none of our business.
It is now.
[Vienna 1740]
Mum, I am so sorry.
- Apparently not sorry enough to attend the funeral.
The doctor confined me to
strict bed rest until the birth.
It was quite some time ago.
Look how pretty she is.
Comes entirely after you.
A girl.
Your Royal Highness, the ministers
are waiting for you in the council hall.
We will just change and come then.
Apologies, Serene Highness, but only The Archduchess
of Austria attends the secret council meetings.
I am her consort.
You are the consort.
Maria Theresia is The Archduchess.
Is he implying that he...
- Give me a moment, Bartenstein.
I will follow you in a moment.
Did he miss me on his death bed?
I missed you, Resi.
Horribly.
Dad?
He missed a second candle.
There was only one at his feet but as
Roman-German Emperor he was entitled to two.
He only made his last sigh
once the second one was lit.
And how is the mood at Viennese court?
Uncertain.
The people are afraid of what is to come.
That a woman sits on the throne.
You will make it, Resi.
You will show them
what a great ruler you are.
This is the Hofburg.
You will get used to it.
Do not worry.
That must be the little Karolina.
Yes.
Such luck to be blessed
with so many gorgeous daughters.
My dear. There you are.
Miss Colloredo hopefully did not bother you.
No, our conversation was about
the dark future of the realm.
Wilhelmine, my dear,
leave us alone for a moment.
You should better be careful, Highness.
Believe me, these young things would
do anything for a sign of your favor.
And then you would no longer
be able to get rid of them.
Do you have any other advice?
You should go riding
from time to time, Highness.
There are beautiful places in the gardens
during autumn. Hidden and quite.
They will attack and massacre us.
Who? Do you have concrete information on that?
Austria's enemy is as greedy as
a vampire who is licking his lips.
They want to see the House of Habsburg bleed
and go home as victors.
Austria is without an heir to the throne.
We must talk about that.
But unfortunately, Highness, we do not
have enough money for that anymore.
We do not have money for what?
For the completion of Schönbrunn [Palace].
Our neighboring countries will notice
that we are a country without a ruler.
The country has a ruler.
Me.
The Pragmatic Sanction is recognized by everyone.
We cannot trust Prussia's Friedrich, Highness.
No, my lords.
The threat is first and foremost the country
Emperor Charles called his lover: England.
Such nonsense.
Only the Ottomans are dangerous.
Our army should have already
been relocated to the South.
To the South?
And the North stays unprotected?
We must definitely recruit new soldiers.
Who does he want to recruit, Count?
When was he the last time outside of Vienna?
The country is ruled by hunger, poverty and disease.
There are old men, invalids and children.
But certainly no men you can turn into soldiers.
Tell me, Harrach, from which side
does the realm face the most danger?
South?
North, West?
East?
From the South, the North and the West.
If we ignore the dangers at court.
At court?
What is that supposed to mean?
Marshall Grumbkow is strangely enough still here.
Grumbkow is at Viennese court?
My return is not the reason for this feast.
I want us to remember my father.
What do you want here?
I cannot remember you were invited, Marshall.
I was very close to Emperor Charles,
as you might not know.
I do not doubt that. We thank you for your visit.
Would you please leave now?
And I also want to offer my friendship
to his daughter Maria Theresia.
What you did with this, Marshall.
Does he want to keep me company, Marshall?
Who is this?
- It would be an honor for me, Highness.
The Prussian...
- I cannot believe it.
That looks delicious.
To her well-being.
Seems like my enthronement makes
some people nervous around here.
Including my husband.
Without any reason, Highness.
You will be a glorious ruler.
Provided everyone complies with the
Pragmatic Sanction and they let me rule.
Did someone withdraw their signature?
- Not yet.
Well, you see.
But my ministers judge the situation differently.
Who did they make you fear?
The evil Prussians? The evil Bavarians?
Or England? The French?
Certainly also the Ottomans.
I will guess.
All of them together.
I can basically hear them.
"Highness, the treasury is empty."
"Scabies! Pox!"
"Plague!"
He appears to be well-informed.
I want to tell you something, Highness.
For advisers, it is basically essential
to survival to seed fear in their rulers.
Otherwise they would soon think them to be redundant.
- From your lips to God's ear, Marshall.
Europe is tired after
the War of the Spanish Succession.
A bit of peace and rest
would be good for us all.
The world has changed, Highness.
We do not want be at each others throats anymore.
Those barbaric times are over.
I advise you to relocate
your troops to the South.
With the Ottomans, you never know what they come up
with next. Over here nobody intends to start a war.
And do his words include
his own country, Marshall?
Rest assured,
you can view Prussia as your ally.
Govern your dominions,
so they may bloom and thrive.
And let the old conflicts rest.
I raise my glass to a wonderful and smart ruler,
Maria Theresia.
Cheers.
- Cheers. Cheers. Cheers.
To Maria Theresia.
You embarrassed me in front of
the entire Viennese court.
I need Grumbkow.
He was on the hunt with your father.
Of course. Father did not die of a weak heart.
Grumbkow insidiously murdered him.
Do you think that is funny?
Franz, I will not risk a diplomatic crisis
because of stupid rumors.
Yeah what if it was a murder?
I need the alliance with the Prussians
so it was not a murder.
Since when are you so shifty, Resi?
And since when are you so naive?
Maybe since I am only the consort.
Do not overexaggerate, please?
- Why?
Where else would be my place according to you?
- With the army.
One of us must command it and protect us.
I hate war.
I am repulsed by violence and bloodshed.
You know that.
We will talk about this again.
At your service, Highness.
So, the new Savoy.
Highness?
Prince Eugene of Savoy
recommended him as his successor.
Does he not know this?
That is an honor for me.
So what does he advise me?
Assure yourself of the Hungarians.
Without them we will lose a war.
I do not intend to go to war.
But the Prussians do.
If the Magyars [Hungarians] do not support us,
we do not stand a chance against Friedrich.
The Protestants are growing stronger in Hungary.
Turn to the Catholic part
of the nobility. Count Esterházy.
Esterházy? Certainly not.
May I ask why not?
Count Esterházy lost my trust a long time ago.
Anything else?
No, Your Highness.
When I...
When I was fifteen, I...
I secretly studied history and politics.
Against the will of my father, against the church's and,
also, against the will of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Esterházy found out and betrayed me.
Forgive me, Highness,
but since then a lot of time has past.
Yes.
Esterházy may have a longer mustache
but certainly not a better character.
He can go now, Count.
And fly! And fly! And fly!
And fly!
Wave. Huhu!
Come on, wave. There.
From now on, Marshall Grumbkow
is a member of this council.
I put my entire hope and our trust in him.
What did he promise her for that?
- Bartenstein, do you think that is smart?
A concentration which is too strong would leave
the flanks vulnerable. A smart opponent would use that.
Better we strengthen
the Eastern front line with that.
Here and here.
Supplies. We must consider supplies.
And the cavalry?
- We will withdraw it.
What do you think?
- No. This is our quick reaction force on hold.
This hill provides a good overview.
Highness.
One of my impetuous friends in Lorraine made a bet with
a court lady who of them would be able to undress faster.
Whose garments are more complicated?
Those of men or those of women?
But they did not do this public, did they?
- Of course, only in a private circle.
The garment of women is
more complicated, of course.
Everybody knows that.
- One might think so.
But on the contrary.
The lady won, and do you know why?
One can easily get entangled
in the brocade of men's clothes.
Silk, on the other hand, is so smooth.
Nearly elusive.
Like a snake.
It is not only convenient
but also seductive.
What are you wearing, Madam?
If I may be so bold.
Are you going out?
Only for a walk.
Will [Countess] Fritz accompany you?
Come along.
I still need to finish correspondences,
and furthermore...
furthermore I am tired.
Then lie down.
Are you punishing me for being Austria's ruler?
That is far from me.
I only want a normal life.
What does he want again?
Apologies, Serene Highness.
A Prussian messenger has arrived
with a dispatch from Friedrich II.
Friedrich suggests a bargain to us. He wants to
sponsor your husband during the Imperial election.
And what if I do not want to become Emperor?
He demands Silesia in return. Otherwise...
So Friedrich is threatening us?
Get Harrach. Quick!
What happened?
- Nothing so far.
The Prussians are ruthless again.
But that is nothing new, is it?
Does it afflict you that
you cannot be in there? With her?
No.
I have no talent for moping.
And furthermore, the merchants from Tuscany will arrive
tomorrow, and that, I think, is much more entertaining.
How can you think about entertainment
when the country is in such distress?
The country is constantly in distress,
and has been for centuries, Anna.
I believe this will not change tonight.
If you refuse the bargain,
Friedrich will question the border agreements.
And will use all of this as
a pretense for an annexation.
I do not think so.
Marshall Grumbkow guaranteed me
an alliance with the Prussians.
How am I supposed to
answer Friedrich, Your Highness?
That I will not grant his impertinent demand.
I beg you, Highness.
At least pretend you want to negotiate.
We would gain some time by doing so.
Am I supposed to sidestep diplomatically
like Prince Eugene of Savoy?
Certainly not.
With all due respect,
you are choosing the wrong path, High...
I am not sitting on the throne to bow to anyone.
Not even before the Prussians.
Write to Friedrich,
"I, The Archduchess of Austria,
will not agree to his 'offer'."
Period.
And I myself will write to Grumbkow,
and he will surely be able to resolve all of this.
The Dutch and the East Indian company
are not on good terms.
Due to this, the import
of Chinese silk has faltered.
And in France, the warehouses are all empty.
Then we will buy Italian silk
and bring the French cloth-makers here.
If they do not have work in France,
we will give them some here.
Highness.
What is that needed for?
- It is a swing for children.
You believe there is interest in silk in Vienna?
What do you think?
Such a thing could not carry me, could it?
But Countess. Please.
May I?
Take a seat.
Interesting.
Not very elegant, is it?
- If it carries her.
Oh, I am flying!
- Comfort.
Is this linen?
Mhm. Do you like it?
Well, the ladies in France now only favour silk.
Oh really?
- Mhm.
And under how many French ladies'
skirts have you peaked already?
Well, courtesy demands
to keep quiet about that.
But if you are already asking,
I can tell you this much.
In all relevant cases,
the skirts were always made of silk.
Gentlemen.
The spreading of silk requires
our full personal devotion.
But in the end, we will be successful.
I am sure of that.
Who are all of them?
Them? These are only the court vipers.
It is best if you do not pay attention to them at all.
Why? Do they have something against me?
I fear you are too young, too beautiful
and too talented for their tastes.
And that is all?
Does it matter what they think of you?
Yes, it does.
Majesty, I feel honored.
- Really?
I heard the exact opposite.
They say he feels compromised by my rule.
I would never think such a thing.
- Is it like that?
My lords.
Does Count Lorenz feel comfortable?
So he does not.
How can I make sure of his well-being?
More dispatches? More decrees?
Receiving more delegations?
Your Highness is too kind.
- He means too weak.
My insignificant opinion is we should set a clear example
in Europe that we are not afraid of any conflict.
So he expects me to put on
chain armor and go to war.
Of course not, Majesty.
Military issues are surely
your dear husband's responsibility.
My husband has other advantages.
You are surely right about that.
Let me feel this again.
So let me look!
May I ask what is going on here?
I am researching which
fabrics are the most popular.
As it seems, linen is still the favorite but
I am trying to convince the ladies
of the advantages of silk.
Why does he still have my letter to Grumbkow?
He should have posted it by now.
Marshall Grumbkow is dead, Highness.
He was arrested at the Prussian border
and executed for high treason.
What is that supposed to mean?
I do not know.
So Marshall Grumbkow was
a servant of two masters?
Extremely interesting.
I definitely need to put that into my annals.
What do you mean by servant of two masters?
Well, on one hand, he was the Prussians' ambassador.
For them, he should spy at Viennese court.
On the other hand,
he let himself be bribed by the Prince of Savoy.
So then he was on our side
after all, was he not?
As long as Savoy was alive maybe,
after that certainly not.
But Savoy himself was a schemer.
If you want to call him that.
But he always schemed for our benefit.
Does he think I was wrong about the Prince?
Maybe you are also wrong
about other persons, Highness.
Is it be possible
Grumbkow really poisoned my father?
Many things are possible, Highness.
He would have had reason for it.
Grumbkow wanted to see you on the throne
because he considered you to be easy prey.
And him [you], Spannagel?
Does he also think that I am a bad ruler?
I do not know.
I only understand things
once they have become history.
You neglect your marital duties, Maria Theresia.
Did my husband complain?
He looks for distraction elsewhere.
But it had to come this way.
Is it my fault when he is looking for diversion?
If you cannot even keep your husband,
how do you actually want to keep the realm?
Come to your senses!
Luise.
Luise!
And find me Viennese citizens who would be willing
to invest into the running of a cloth-making manufacture.
We will produce silk in great style.
If you only knew, Leopold,
what they are wearing, the local ladies.
Tell me, I would really love to know.
At the same time, we will produce wool. Write to Hungary.
The assets there are ideal for sheep breeding.
We will produce cloth better
than from Flanders.
Oh, bold plan.
Want to bet I can do that?
- Rather not. I am only a poor chamberlain.
You know you would lose.
- Yes.
Well then write.
Very good, gentlemen. Put the chair over there.
Harrach's suggestion for the council meeting.
The report about our garrisons in the provinces.
- Wait.
It is alright.
- What is with her?
Probably the teeth.
- She is allowed to leave. Hey.
Oh, does she have a fever?
She is not needed here, Countess.
Why is she sneaking around
my daughter all the time?
Apologies, [Countess] Fritz just wanted to help.
I will take her to the masseur.
- Let it be. I will take care of that.
You have to work.
That can wait. I do not want certain countesses
to think they need to take care of my daughters.
You are right about that, Highness.
But considercertain countesses may not
only want to replace you as a mother.
What do you intend to do?
I want to lie down.
I cannot sleep so early.
I did not say anything about sleeping.
But...you just wanted to leave.
What give you that idea?
If I was not the ruler of Austria, I...
I would apologize to you.
I could not bare if my wife apologizes to me.
I am not.
But if I did I would say that I was
a little overwrought in the last time.
You are the most beautiful woman
I have ever seen.
You still think of me this way?
Oh yes.
Apologies, Your Highness.
The Prussians have invaded Silesia.
They are already advancing into heart of the country.
Excuse me?
We are at war, Highness.
The Prussians king has...has invaded Silesia in the
middle of the night and with...with more than 20,000 men.
Our regiments did not stand a chance.
- Who delivered the dispatch?
I want to hear it from him.
The adjutant of General Choltitz, Majesty.
What is with the people of Silesia?
Did they assist us during the fight?
Did they hide?
- Mh-mh.
Fled?
- Mh-mh.
Speak or I will have him degraded.
They cheered them.
Who?
The Prussians?
What did you do to the people?
Speak or does he want to
feel the rope around his neck?
Our people scavenged.
They were hungry.
And they shot the quarry in the woods, butchered
horses, but the hunger stayed. It was not enough.
Only cold and distress.
Open the auxiliary stores.
Send half of our stocks to the regiments.
It will not last very long, Your Highness.
Then open the royal enclosures, let them be hunted
empty and send the quarry to the front line.
Do something! The hunger must end!
Highness, allow me a moment.
- What is it?
Does he have another advice fore me
from Savoy from the afterlife?
I only want to help, Highness.
- Yeah, does he want that?
Maybe he also wants to sit
on the throne instead of me.
I cannot follow. What do you mean?
- He obviously knows better how all of this works.
The spirit of the great Savoy
will surely whisper to him while ruling.
They are hunting the royal quarry enclosures empty.
Even the most valuable stags. We need to intervene.
I do no care about the stags.
We need to save our own skin. We will leave court.
Friedrich's troops are still far away.
We will stop them.
Who? The girl with the pig-head and
the army of vagabonds? Think, Schwarz!
We will wait for you in Tuscany.
Go!
And how long will the supplies last
for the soldiers at the Northern border?
Not very long. We urgently need
more regiments at the front line
if we want to stop the Prussians.
And they also need to be supplied.
Apologies, Highness.
I come to you because of Princess Karolina.
It could be Pox.
Is it?
Well then, may God help us.
Give her a medication, and go now.
Continue.
The Prussians have invaded Bohemia.
Smile, Highness.
Pretend everything is absolutely fine.
- The Prussians have twice as many soldiers.
And they are better equipped than any other army.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
What happened?
- Everything is alright.
Really?
Franz, give us a moment.
I will explain it to you later, alright?
Is Secretary Bartenstein here?
- Why?
I would like to ask for an audience with my dear wife.
- Franz, you do not need to do that.
I do.
I would really like to remind her
we promised to stand together for better or for worse.
She should know I feel like the fifth wheel.
Even though she claimed she could not live without me.
- This has not changed at all.
Oh it has.
Now I only disturb you
and keep you away from things.
This time last year I had already noted down
about seventy balls in my journal.
Look how it is now.
The confectioner's ball, the hunter's ball, the bonbon ball.
All of them canceled and also all of the masquerades.
This is the end.
The Straußen's and Liechtenstein's
already left last week.
Just like Count Lorenz and Baron Hegenbarth.
Countess Strauß sent a letter from Paris.
They are supposedly invited to court.
In other countries, they still value
the Austrian nobility. Not like around here.
If we all suddenly vanished,
The Archduchess would not even notice.
Poof!
Poof.
Let them all vanish.
You would not miss Countess Fritz
if I understand correctly.
For my part, the whole noble court could vanish.
How can you expect loyalty from the soldiers
when the nobility is already leaving the country?
Control yourself, Count.
- But he is right.
My dear.
- Mhm?
It seems like your are in desperate need
of some candied violets.
My lords, I hope you do not bore
The Archduchess with your awful military affairs.
Because then I would have to be mad.
The current situation requires...
- Nonsense situation. There is always some situation.
Come, Highness.
Truly annoying. I even specially
ordered a new dress á la francais.
The poor Dress.
Now it lays in the dark box the whole time.
And in the end, the moths will eat it.
You simply must not allow that to happen, Elisa.
In the name of your dress, I strongly beseech,
please parade it and show it around.
And your dresses?
Do you already have plans for them?
Sunny Tuscany.
Come with us.
Elisa, you must not do that.
Because Franz Stephan - like everybody
knows - needs your female company.
I wish I would die or get sick.
Why?
I could close the door and
no one would have to come in.
Then close the door and post the guards.
But everybody needs something from me.
Everybody wants something from me,
everybody has something important to tell me, and I?
I do everything wrong!
For the council I am a bad strategist,
for Franz I am a bad wife,
for the doctor a bad mother
who cannot even take care of her children.
The soldiers do not want to fight for me.
And the nobility is fleeing
from Vienna in droves. And in...
In Slesia, they celebrate Friedrich as a liberator.
Yes?
And the worst is that Kinsky was right all the time.
He probably was.
You look horrible.
If you do the things like a man and with force,
you will never reach your goals.
You are a woman. Be gentle.
Should I talk about hoop skirts and
undergarments while soldiers are croaking?
Drink wine while hunger rules the country?
Of course.
Let me be!
- Oh come on.
The worse the situation in the country is
the more important beautiful appearances become.
[Countess] Fritz is taking care of that.
Then do it too. Affront her.
Take her!
He was so shy.
The Archduchess Maria Theresia requests
the Countess Fritz for an audience.
It will be an honor to us to keep The Archduchess company.
- Only you alone, Countess.
Oh, I am supposed to
come alone? When?
Immediately.
It looks like I am being arrested.
If you would please follow me.
Lorenz, Tulln, Liechtenstein, Schönborn.
This is a list of all those
who left Vienna without my permission.
The list only gets longer
and longer each day.
She knows about that, Countess, does she not?
I am sorry, I am not informed about that.
She will stay loyal to Viennese court, I heard.
Countess, this makes me happy.
Although the reason is my husband
and this, of course, does not make me as happy.
Those are only evil rumors.
I thought my husband's affection flatters her. Or does
she feel harassed? Speak honestly with me, Countess!
Elisa, I...
I can offer you more than
the favor of some duke. I...
My favor.
Yes, our relationship will probably
not be as passionate but...
it will last much longer.
I am...I am loyal.
Highness, I assume this loyalty has its price?
From now on...
what benefits me will benefit her too, Countess.
But now...now let us take care of her ball gown.
We do not want the moths to eat, do we?
Milady, please.
An archducal ball. A true novelty.
It will be fantastic.
Pompous and very exquisite.
Vienna has not experienced
a ball like this for years.
Count Schwarz,
May I give you the invitations for your friends,
the Count Lorenz and the others? May I?
Of course.
But...just in case if one is not in Vienna...
Oh! This would truly be unfortunate. Whoever miss this ball,
may never be invited back to court. Never again.
This would be the social death of anybody, Countess.
Do you truly believe The Archduchess
wants to be this, uhm, strict?
No.
Her Highness is so kind she cannot even imagine
anyone would leave court without her permission, Count.
Hopefully we will not stay alone
with all of this glory and splendour.
Highness.
The pox have reached the face.
The most important thing is she survives.
His Highness is with her.
- I am coming.
Apologies but you still need
to get dressed, Highness.
But I need to be with my child now.
I know. But you cannot help little Karolina now.
But you are needed here.
Your task today is to bolster the others up,
Highness. This was exactly your plan.
And tomorrow you can be
with your daughter all day long.
She receives new medication.
I think it is helping.
Lord in heaven make it true.
She sleeps as calmly as an angel.
Well thank God.
We are ready.
Wait, I...
Do you not here it? It is completely silent
in there. No one has come.
At least we have the room all to ourselves then.
A ball at which I am dancing alone.
Then I could abidcate immediately.
Open.
Count Lorenz with wife?
This is a surprise. I thought you left Vienna?
No, God forbid, not left.
It was not more than
a small outing to the countryside.
In these difficult times
we are, of course, here, Highness
With our Archduchess
to whom we are deeply devoted to.
The last dance of the evening now belongs to
Her Archducal Highness Maria Theresia and
His Serene Highness Franz Stephan, The Duke of Tuscany.
I thank you for accepting this invitation.
We are experiencing rough/stormy times.
But thanks to its loyalist the House of
Habsburg-Lorraine will survive every storm safely.
And now, the Duke and I
want to reward two of you with a dance.
I dedicate this dance to...
I dedicate it to him, Count Kinsky.
Me?
Are you sure?
- Absolutely.
And so my husband does not need to stand alone,
I ask Countess Fritz to take care of him.
Elisa.
You will certainly grant him this dance.
Always fully at your service, Highness.
He must not believe, he receives
this dance completely for free, Count.
Whatever you wish, Highness.
I am at your service.
I expect him at the council meeting on Monday.
It is an honor to me to attend as a guest there.
Not as a guest.
I need a constant, reliable adviser, Count.
But only if he does not tell me what
the Prince of Savoy would have done in my place.
Savoy?
Savoy, help me, Highness,
who was that again?
I missed you in the last time, Countess.
Your darling wife took up most of my time.
I did not even have time to
thank you for the beautiful silk, Highness.
And do you wear it?
Guess.
I do not have to guess for that.
Maybe we should bet who of us takes less time to undress.
- But Duke!
Who would stop us?
My heart.
Did you give it to someone else?
Yes, your wife.
Because with her it is
more secure than with you.
Fame and glory to our Archduchess!
- To the victory of our brave soldiers!
To the eternal glory of the House of Habsburg!
Bravo!
Bravo.
To the wisdom and beauty of my wonderful wife,
The Archduchess Maria Theresia!
Bravo!
Long may she live.
Bravo!
Bravo!
I am sorry.
There was nothing we could do anymore.
And? And what did Kinsky say?
The Prussians made us a new offer.
They are offering peace to us.
There we go, you will have a child and
we all will have peace. And now, breathe firmly.
Breathe in!
- And what do they want in return?
Saxony, and on top of that Glatz.
Highness, we should consider
a Cesarean section.
No way!
- What do you mean? No way what, Highness?
Prussia. We will not give an inch
of the realm to this monster!
Prussia guarantees an immediate truce
if we grant them the annexed lands.
We need to accept that.
- At least then we could catch a breath for once.
In truth, Friedrich only wants to
force our surrender.
Do you maybe have a better solution, Count?
In a few minutes you will sleep,
Highness, and not feel a thing.
Call for Bartenstein!
Too late. We need to bring this child into the world this way.
- We must ask France for help.
Highness!
Do you hear me? You must stay awake. Please!
A breech delivery.
No, please don't. Please don't.
- Wait outside.
Wait outside! Go!
What happened?
Is she alive?
- You have a son, Highness.
And her?
Did he hear what I said?
Darling.
Darling.
Praise the Lord! It is a miracle!
The realm has an heir to the throne!
Oh, praise the Lord!
It is a boy.
Oh, Lord in heaven.
A son! It is finally a son!
Darling.
Look, Josef, there she is.
This is your mum.
Is she not beautiful?
I chose the most beautiful mum
in the world for you.
He does not look like Karolina.
Karolina is in heaven.
We have a son now, hm?
Hear how they are celebrating with us.
There is no reason to celebrate.
He was born too late.
The Prussians are coming.
Soon there will be war.
Long may he live!
Long may he live!
Long may he live!
Good luck!
Long may he live!
Highness.
The Bavarians declared war, have they not?
Yes, unfortunately.
Your Highness...
France has joined in the war against us as well.
But...
But we gave France the entirety of Lorraine.
Yes.
But they betrayed us.
And you will not die on me.
Hey you?
Pst. Pst, pst.
Will you promise me that?
Pst, pst.
Pst, pst, pst, pst.
How certain is he that Bavaria will truly attack us?
We are negotiating about territorial concessions.
You surrender without my knowledge?
Surrender and negotiations
are not the same, Highness.
Furthermore, we let them know from the beginning
we will not negotiate with the anti-Habsburg coalition
but only with single states.
For that, the Bavarians need to recall
the alliance with France, Prussia and Spain.
Spain?
- They are like bloodhounds.
Greedy to devour a part of the Habsburg realm.
Anyway, we are gaining time.
We will need to move
the troops to the Northern border.
They are already marching.
They are currently passing Vienna.
Thank you, Kinsky.
And I want to see them.
Apologies, Highness, but I fear a parade
would be inappropriate at the current time.
I do not want a parade.
The men shall know that...
that they are needed.
That we are proud of them.
Attention!
Shoulder arms!
- Shoulder arms!
One.
Two.
Three.
There will be boots for everyone
and enough supplies.
The enemy, the Prussians are strong.
They are more in numbers
and have stronger weapons!
But we have the strongest weapon!
Our faith!
Because the Lord above is on our side!
So let us pray!
Gracious Lord above
stand by these brave men in their just fight.
Punish the enemy with disgrace and doom!
Almighty Lord, our creator,
for our sins, you have put our fate
into the hands of our enemies.
But we beg you show mercy on us poor sinners.
Be no longer angry with us,
us who are your loyal servants for eternity.
Because you are the Lord
of the world now and always.
Almighty Lord, our creator,
for our sins, you have put our fate
into the hands of our enemies
who brutally slaughtered us.
Lord, I beg you have mercy on our poor souls.
Be no longer angry with us
who are your loyal servants.
Save us from this terror and we will praise you forever. Lord...
have mercy on these poor souls and take them in.
Amen.
5,000 fallen soldiers.
We will have to ask England for help.
They shall send us weapons and groceries.
No.
We will ask the Hungarians for help.
If you most humbly allow me, Highness,
but only most recently you said yourself the Hungarians
are now constantly dreaming of separating from us.
They would not be ready to die for us.
Well the situation has changed, has it not?
Do I understand you correctly, Highness? You want to
step in front of the Hungarian parliament and declare:
"Look, I am your future queen.
Send me 60,000 soldiers quickly."
Yes, basically like that.
First of all, I will win allies
among the Hungarian nobility.
Some of them were loyal to my father, and...
they will surely support me as well.
Apologies but with all due respect
I disagree, Highness.
But no one was loyal to your father.
And if we bribe them?
We have no money.
The war devours it all.
Without the Hungarians we will lose the war.
- We have no choice.
Before I relinquish anything,
all of my troops need to be beaten to death.
Tell Bartenstein, he shall write to Hungary.
An invitation for an audience.
Invitation for whom, Highness?
To Nikolaus Esterházy.
Or what would have Prince Eugene done in my stead?
He would have negotiated with Esterházy.
Exactly.
Told you.
It is from the Jew.
I spent a fortune on it but it is worth it.
That is bad taste.
He will notice me this way.
Who are you talking about?
Nikolaus Esterházy.
Esterházy comes for political negotiations, Countess.
An Esterházy always loves pleasure, just like I do.
I have a special weakness for his mustache.
He has a mustache?
All Hungarians have one.
They twirl their mustaches, brandish around with
their sabers, and roll their eyes while doing so.
They roll their eyes doing exactly what?
- May I?
But I will get it back?
[Countess] Fritz is already
going to fluff up the pillows.
Like I know her, she will be the first
to approach Esterházy.
Highness.
Elisa, please, I have not time.
I must prepare for the arrival of The Count.
That is exactly why I am here.
Luise!
And what am I supposed to do with it?
One mustknow the opponent's weaknesses
and exploit them cleverly, Highness.
Well and Esterházy has
a weakness for feminine charms.
I will gladly leave that to you, alright?
A little bit too common, is it not?
Thank you, very pretty.
That is all?
Franz if it makes you happy,
I will, of course, gladly wear it, alright?
If you tried to hide your tears of gratitude,
you have succeeded magnificently.
My admiration, ladies.
What a beautiful morning.
Excuse my audacity, Highness, but...
If I did not know you personally, I would not know
who is the master and who is the servant.
Well, I am going to work.
Work.
To work?
Yes.
We need money urgently.
You are of noble blood.
The subjects earn the money.
You are the ruler, Highness.
When the royal treasury is filled again,
ruling will certainly be easier again.
And where do you work?
I own two cloth manufactures
and, additionally, my own tailor shops.
Please come for visit one day. Ladies.
You are expected.
You will immediately be received, Count.
His Serene Highness,
Count Esterházy de Galántha.
Well that is an impressive mustache.
Stay seated.
[in Latin]
We missed you, Majesty.
How are you?
Excellent, Count.
And how you feel, Your Grace?
Are you still occupying yourself
with such difficult literature?
And he?
Is he still irked by women
who think for themselves?
I am ashamed of that.
I only wanted you to notice me.
He shall feel welcome at Viennese court.
We are happy he accepted our invitation.
Nice to meet you.
- And everything on horseback.
Countess Lorenz, Highness.
He would not even notice.
- Well...
My goodness, Count.
Will the ladies be there tonight?
If he wants to make up for his transgression,
he has the chance to do so ow.
Together we could stop the Prussians.
The two of us?
- You allow me, Highness?
You mean Her Highness and I?
- I need the Hungarian army.
Otherwise I cannot hold on to the dominions.
Highness.
- Gentlemen.
- Countess.
This fact is known in Hungary.
Is it like that?
Only that we Hungarians actually do not see
a reason for an alliance with the weak.
So according to him, I am weak?
Will you now punish me for my impudence?
He has every reason to be worried.
The Catholic Church is not as much of
a support to him as it has been in the past?
There are more and more Protestants
among the Hungarian nobility, are there not?
You are well-informed.
With a Catholic on the throne,
the tables would turn.
She could lead the people back to the one true faith,
and this would also be a blessing for him, Count.
Enough of politics now.
Elisa.
Save The Count before I bore him
by talking for much longer.
Ladies.
May we keep you company, Count?
Very kind. Nice to meet you.
- Highness.
We just heard a new joke. May?
- Uhm, if you would please excuse me now.
- No, I have to tell it to...
Another time. Nice to have met you, Countess.
- But you will like it.
Another time, dearest.
- It will not take long, Count.
This arrogance.
Well, busy dignitaries are always in a hurry.
I do not understand much of politics but tell me
do you know another realm in which the most
beautiful woman is also sitting on the throne?
Certainly not.
You think?
- It is alright.
I do not.
Too bad she is already taken.
You would be a wonderful couple.
And you are a cheeky young lady.
Tell me, what is your name?
Wilhelmine Colloredo.
Always at your service, Count.
And for what would I need
your services,Wilhelmine Colloredo?
I would really like to help you, Highness.
But I am uncertain if I am capable of that.
The Prince of Savoy chased
the Ottomans out of Hungary. Our soldiers...
Does he think that is funny?
If poor old Eugene had known, you would
invoke his military accomplishments one day...
He knew.
What, Maria?
That one day I would be
so desperate that I must beg for help.
Count, I know he is called
the uncrowned King of Hungary.
So why would he help me on the throne?
- Maybe out of...
of love?
How would they explain such
a thing in the history books?
But I beg of you.
Loyal Spannagel would surely also find
an explanation for this, little king's daughter.
Will he help me?
How about we discuss everything
further during a ride tomorrow?
I am slowly becoming jealous of you, dear brother.
I understand that.
The ladies at court have extremely dolled theirselves up.
They have been excited for your arrival for a long time.
Look at these splendid cleavages.
- I cannot promise you this.
I understand.
But maybe this view was not destined for me.
It is. I can assure you that.
Countess of Graben, come, my dear,
I would like to introduce you to one another.
Excuse me.
The Countess has been raving about your charm
and your splendid mustache to me for ages.
For such a beautiful creature like you,
I would even go to war.
How can I serve you, Countess?
I would love to get to know more about Hungary.
Is it actually true that you have
this horrible dungeon at Spielberg castle?
Yes, including torture chambers.
Are you not coming along for the ride?
- I do not want to disturb you.
You do not disturb. Come along.
I had a picnic prepared at the pavilion uphill.
Yesterday a concert, today a picnic, the day after
tomorrow a masquerade. You are overdoing it.
Excuse me?
- We must save money.
We are at war and you criticize me for three roast chicken?
- We need every Guilder!
Then show me a war which was one by saveing
We need men who go to war
for their faith and their country.
I know. And I will never belong to these men.
I am only good at taking care of my assets and for building
a swing for the children. Is that what you intended to say?
No, I do not.
But if we do not find someone who protects us,
the Prussians will turn your swing into shavings
and light the Hofburg on fire with them.
Yeah sure, Esterházy plays the gallant savior
and I am the husband who takes care of the swings.
Be reasonable.
Weird, I just wanted to recommend
to you to do the same.
Slower, Maria!
Highness, ride slower!
Everything alright?
- Yes, thank you.
Get off, Highness.
Everything alright?
The sidesaddle is dangerous.
[German: Lady's saddle]
Why do you not try the men's saddle?
I will surely not ride this way in front of him.
Why not?
Because it is inappropriate, Count.
It is inappropriate?
Oh it is nothing more than custom.
It is inappropriate.
We Hungarians, on the other hands,
think it is inappropriate to be ruled by a woman.
So, come on.
One, two and three.
Any other obstacles?
You were right yesterday.
We Esterházys are Hungary's
most influential noble house.
That is also why we have so many enemies.
And he does not want
to take a risk, does he?
If it is worth it, I am not scared of any risk.
If I can be sure the bond which links us is real,
I will give you everything I have, Maria.
He has my friendship, Count.
That is not enough for me.
He lost his mind.
Wilhelmine, how wonderful.
That fits well.
Do you want to buy a new dress?
I cannot afford your dresses - not yet.
But if the Lord wills it,
one day I will have a rich husband too.
Gentlemen, our future customer.
Leopold, will you please take care of the young lady?
A pure miracle.
Please.
In the old days, such a thing took a month.
Now we can do it in two days.
- And the trim.
- Of course.
Franz Stephan is a hero.
Too bad The Archduchess
does not seem to appreciate it.
Be careful what you say.
What? It is the truth.
They should get a divorce.
The Pope would surely agree to her.
Then she would take
Count Esterházy as her husband
and together they would chase away the Prussians.
And what about the poor duke?
He would take a girl as his wife
who knows how to appreciate his skills.
He would take her to Tuscany and
there they would live happily ever after.
And that would be you?
Why not?
What is that?
This is the costume of
a shepherdess for the masquerade.
And for whom is it?
For Maria Theresia?
I want one just like that.
No one is allowed to dress like Her Highness.
Why? That would be funny.
- I do not think so.
Leopold.
It is impossible to deny
such a beautiful lady's wish.
What is that?
Flowers in the Hungarian colors.
Highness.
Is he writing a love letter?
He wants a tete-à-tete.
He has fallen in love.
I knew it.
I have not time for such things.
I am really worrying about other things right now.
Get them out.
All of it.
Where to, Highness?
Where to?
On to the dung heap.
Her Highness wishes to see
these flowers in the dining hall.
The Hungarians colors are beautiful decoration.
I will invite Count Esterházy for
a private dinner before the ball tomorrow.
How private?
He and I.
You think it gives me pleasure?
- Indeed. That is exactly what I think.
You know what, Franz?
Unlike you, I have responsibilities.
It costs me an effort but if it is for the country
then I will do it. Then I will do it. Then I will do it.
So, you are cheating on me due to a sense
of responsibility? Well then I can rest assured.
You are making a big mistake, Maria Theresia.
Come with me to Pressburg [Bratislava].
As Queen of Hungary and The Archduchess
of Austria, you can also rule from there.
Why would I?
Because I want to see you everyday.
Everyday and every night, Maria.
If I wanted to , if...
I could not.
Would you want to?
I am a married woman, Count.
That was not an answer.
Well that is everything
I have to say about it.
So Austria will have to rely on only itself
in these rough times, right?
Count, do demand
impossible things from me. I...
I cannot got with him to Pressburg [Bratislava].
And what is possible for you?
What does he demand?
Your heart.
Only the heart?
I do not believe that.
In our country, the one thing belongs to the other.
Do I have a choice?
Without him, I will lose the war.
If that is the price for Hungarian soldiers then...
I will do it.
So you view this as a sacrifice for your country?
Count, making sacrifices is my duty.
Sacrifices.
Honor.
Performance of duty!
I do not fear for my honor.
This will at most hurt my reputation.
You doubt my discretion in this matter?
He will surely not miss out on
the applause for such a big prey. Confess.
How often did he have something
as valuable as me in front of his shotgun?
I only still need
the instructions for tonight. Where?
When? Should I wear
something special? He surely has his ideas.
I only need to name time and place
and you will come to me?
Yes.
Good.
I will consider it.
We will see each other at the ball?
Already back from your rendezvous?
Pretty early, is it not?
Yes.
Leave!
Leave!
Something new?
You mean if we have
an ally against the Prussians?
They already say the Pope
would agree to annul our marriage.
Are you bringing up stupid rumors again?
And? Is something about it true?
I do not intend to
neglect my duties as a wife.
How romantic.
Do you hear how that sounds?
Is it this hard to bring yourself to say that?
You are the father of my children.
I hoped I was more to you.
Highness.
Who is that?
Who is that?
If I may?
Thank you for saving me.
They obviously have no sense
of humor at Viennese court.
I am not surprised about that.
It is probably best you will immediately
go to her and apologize to Her Highness.
And at this occasion,
you deliver a confidential message to her.
As you wish, Count.
You tell her
that I expect her immediately
at the side boudoir [private women's salon].
And now go.
Apologies, Highness.
Esterházy is waiting for you.
Never could I bear if a woman offers herself
to me in exchange for something.
I wish you the best of luck.
Where is he, your lover?
Is he late?
Shall I look for him so
you can fulfill your historic duty?
Quick, come on. Get on!
She does not deserve you.
She does not deserve you.
Did you deliver the message?
She does not want me, does she?
Weird.
If love was not a part of it,
I always won the game.
But with love I lost.
Take care of yourself, Wilhelmine.
Defeat.
Retreat.
Heavy losses.
Was that supposed to be a report?
He shall speak in a manner
we can understand him.
The French troops crossed the river Rhine.
Together with their Bavarian allies,
they march towards Linz.
What does he suggest, Choltitz?
All men fit for military service to the front line...
- ...and to certain death.
What is he implying?
We are not victorious but
we also do not surrender.
The only thing we are doing
is wasting human lives.
I can no longer participate in that.
That is high treason.
For all I care, take my life but
do not sacrifice any more men due to stubbornness.
Our men are gladly fighting for us!
But not to die senselessly.
Bartenstein, come back!
Highness.
Behave, hm?
You hurt Esterházy's male honor.
I beg you, do not go.
Send a dispatch. The Archduchess is on
her way to Pressburg [Bratislava] and
expects to be received by the Hungarian parliament.
We do not have enough votes
which would support you in the Hungarian parliament.
Highness, do you really want to get a spanking there?
She will keep an eye on everything
for me until I return, Elisa.
You do not need to come along.
I can do this on my own.
[Bratislava 1741]
Only Hungarian nobility is allowed in there.
Give him to me.
Resi.
I am Maria Theresia,...
The Archduchess of Austria.
My father, Charles VI, tasked me with
the government of the dominions after him.
Europe promised him support
and had itself be paid greatly for it.
But the promise was not worth
the paper it was written on.
Prussia swore friendship...
and betrayed me first.
France, to which we had given Lorraine,
the Bavarians, our brothers,...
they all deviously stabbed me in the back.
I am standing here in front of you,
betrayed by my friends.
Chased by my enemies,
abandoned by my closest relatives.
My only salvation are you.
You Hungarians. These proud
and brave people. And...
in my arrogance I hurt a valuable person's honor and lost
his friendship through this. I do not deserve your favor but...
But you are seeing me here
as mother of a defenseless child.
As a mother of an entire people,
as a defenseless woman
who can only appeal to your braveness anymore.
My realm, my child and I am in danger.
I am entrusting myself to your protection.
And I promise.
to uphold all Hungarian rights.
And...
I am ready to give my life for
Maria Theresia, The Queen of Hungary.
Long live Maria Theresia!
Long may she live!
I congratulate you.
You are now the consort of the Hungarian queen.
Well that actually means,
I do not congratulate you.
I rather I envy you much more.
Long may she live!
- Long!
Accipe coronam...
regni quae licet ab indignis...
episcoporum tamen manibus capiti tuo...
imponitur.
In nomine patris...
et filii...
et spiritus sancti.
Quam sanctitatis gloriam...
et honorem et opus...
If that is a good thing for us, brother?
I hope so.
ministerii nostri non ignores.
Long live Maria Theresia!
Long! Long!
Where were you actually
after the coronation yesterday?
I took care of my duties and
made contact with our Hungarian allies.
Contact?
As you know, Resi, we are at war.
We need loyal allies.
That is how it is.
And how many soldiers will they send you?
They promised 60,000.
I am glad if they send half of it.
Is that enough for us?
I will equip another 20,000.
You?
- Mhm.
Why? I am doing very good business
with my manufactures.
Do you know how much such a regiment costs?
I am better in doing math than you.
When we are back, we really should
host a ball in honor of your coronation.
As long as it is not a masquerade.
Maria Theresia ruled for 40 years over the Habsburg monarchy.
She bestowed Franz Stephan
with twelve more children
Franz Stephan became one of
the most successful entrepreneurs of his time.
After his death, Maria Theresia went for
four months to Esterháza [castle] in Fertőd.
There hangs the biggest portrait
of the ruler [Maria Theresia] until this day.
English subtitles by German Period Drama Translations.
paypal.me/GermanPeriodDrama
aka Season 01, Episode 02]
What happened here?
This is what the country your father ruled looks like.
What are you implying?
- That he was a bad administrator.
Let's see.
Highness, come back
- Who does he think he is?
It is about your safety.
Make way!
I am Maria Theresia,
The Archduchess of Austria.
She'll never help us.
Come on, drag them by the side of the road.
We want to continue our journey.
The body will be buried
Excuse me, Highness,
but this is none of our business.
It is now.
[Vienna 1740]
Mum, I am so sorry.
- Apparently not sorry enough to attend the funeral.
The doctor confined me to
strict bed rest until the birth.
It was quite some time ago.
Look how pretty she is.
Comes entirely after you.
A girl.
Your Royal Highness, the ministers
are waiting for you in the council hall.
We will just change and come then.
Apologies, Serene Highness, but only The Archduchess
of Austria attends the secret council meetings.
I am her consort.
You are the consort.
Maria Theresia is The Archduchess.
Is he implying that he...
- Give me a moment, Bartenstein.
I will follow you in a moment.
Did he miss me on his death bed?
I missed you, Resi.
Horribly.
Dad?
He missed a second candle.
There was only one at his feet but as
Roman-German Emperor he was entitled to two.
He only made his last sigh
once the second one was lit.
And how is the mood at Viennese court?
Uncertain.
The people are afraid of what is to come.
That a woman sits on the throne.
You will make it, Resi.
You will show them
what a great ruler you are.
This is the Hofburg.
You will get used to it.
Do not worry.
That must be the little Karolina.
Yes.
Such luck to be blessed
with so many gorgeous daughters.
My dear. There you are.
Miss Colloredo hopefully did not bother you.
No, our conversation was about
the dark future of the realm.
Wilhelmine, my dear,
leave us alone for a moment.
You should better be careful, Highness.
Believe me, these young things would
do anything for a sign of your favor.
And then you would no longer
be able to get rid of them.
Do you have any other advice?
You should go riding
from time to time, Highness.
There are beautiful places in the gardens
during autumn. Hidden and quite.
They will attack and massacre us.
Who? Do you have concrete information on that?
Austria's enemy is as greedy as
a vampire who is licking his lips.
They want to see the House of Habsburg bleed
and go home as victors.
Austria is without an heir to the throne.
We must talk about that.
But unfortunately, Highness, we do not
have enough money for that anymore.
We do not have money for what?
For the completion of Schönbrunn [Palace].
Our neighboring countries will notice
that we are a country without a ruler.
The country has a ruler.
Me.
The Pragmatic Sanction is recognized by everyone.
We cannot trust Prussia's Friedrich, Highness.
No, my lords.
The threat is first and foremost the country
Emperor Charles called his lover: England.
Such nonsense.
Only the Ottomans are dangerous.
Our army should have already
been relocated to the South.
To the South?
And the North stays unprotected?
We must definitely recruit new soldiers.
Who does he want to recruit, Count?
When was he the last time outside of Vienna?
The country is ruled by hunger, poverty and disease.
There are old men, invalids and children.
But certainly no men you can turn into soldiers.
Tell me, Harrach, from which side
does the realm face the most danger?
South?
North, West?
East?
From the South, the North and the West.
If we ignore the dangers at court.
At court?
What is that supposed to mean?
Marshall Grumbkow is strangely enough still here.
Grumbkow is at Viennese court?
My return is not the reason for this feast.
I want us to remember my father.
What do you want here?
I cannot remember you were invited, Marshall.
I was very close to Emperor Charles,
as you might not know.
I do not doubt that. We thank you for your visit.
Would you please leave now?
And I also want to offer my friendship
to his daughter Maria Theresia.
What you did with this, Marshall.
Does he want to keep me company, Marshall?
Who is this?
- It would be an honor for me, Highness.
The Prussian...
- I cannot believe it.
That looks delicious.
To her well-being.
Seems like my enthronement makes
some people nervous around here.
Including my husband.
Without any reason, Highness.
You will be a glorious ruler.
Provided everyone complies with the
Pragmatic Sanction and they let me rule.
Did someone withdraw their signature?
- Not yet.
Well, you see.
But my ministers judge the situation differently.
Who did they make you fear?
The evil Prussians? The evil Bavarians?
Or England? The French?
Certainly also the Ottomans.
I will guess.
All of them together.
I can basically hear them.
"Highness, the treasury is empty."
"Scabies! Pox!"
"Plague!"
He appears to be well-informed.
I want to tell you something, Highness.
For advisers, it is basically essential
to survival to seed fear in their rulers.
Otherwise they would soon think them to be redundant.
- From your lips to God's ear, Marshall.
Europe is tired after
the War of the Spanish Succession.
A bit of peace and rest
would be good for us all.
The world has changed, Highness.
We do not want be at each others throats anymore.
Those barbaric times are over.
I advise you to relocate
your troops to the South.
With the Ottomans, you never know what they come up
with next. Over here nobody intends to start a war.
And do his words include
his own country, Marshall?
Rest assured,
you can view Prussia as your ally.
Govern your dominions,
so they may bloom and thrive.
And let the old conflicts rest.
I raise my glass to a wonderful and smart ruler,
Maria Theresia.
Cheers.
- Cheers. Cheers. Cheers.
To Maria Theresia.
You embarrassed me in front of
the entire Viennese court.
I need Grumbkow.
He was on the hunt with your father.
Of course. Father did not die of a weak heart.
Grumbkow insidiously murdered him.
Do you think that is funny?
Franz, I will not risk a diplomatic crisis
because of stupid rumors.
Yeah what if it was a murder?
I need the alliance with the Prussians
so it was not a murder.
Since when are you so shifty, Resi?
And since when are you so naive?
Maybe since I am only the consort.
Do not overexaggerate, please?
- Why?
Where else would be my place according to you?
- With the army.
One of us must command it and protect us.
I hate war.
I am repulsed by violence and bloodshed.
You know that.
We will talk about this again.
At your service, Highness.
So, the new Savoy.
Highness?
Prince Eugene of Savoy
recommended him as his successor.
Does he not know this?
That is an honor for me.
So what does he advise me?
Assure yourself of the Hungarians.
Without them we will lose a war.
I do not intend to go to war.
But the Prussians do.
If the Magyars [Hungarians] do not support us,
we do not stand a chance against Friedrich.
The Protestants are growing stronger in Hungary.
Turn to the Catholic part
of the nobility. Count Esterházy.
Esterházy? Certainly not.
May I ask why not?
Count Esterházy lost my trust a long time ago.
Anything else?
No, Your Highness.
When I...
When I was fifteen, I...
I secretly studied history and politics.
Against the will of my father, against the church's and,
also, against the will of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Esterházy found out and betrayed me.
Forgive me, Highness,
but since then a lot of time has past.
Yes.
Esterházy may have a longer mustache
but certainly not a better character.
He can go now, Count.
And fly! And fly! And fly!
And fly!
Wave. Huhu!
Come on, wave. There.
From now on, Marshall Grumbkow
is a member of this council.
I put my entire hope and our trust in him.
What did he promise her for that?
- Bartenstein, do you think that is smart?
A concentration which is too strong would leave
the flanks vulnerable. A smart opponent would use that.
Better we strengthen
the Eastern front line with that.
Here and here.
Supplies. We must consider supplies.
And the cavalry?
- We will withdraw it.
What do you think?
- No. This is our quick reaction force on hold.
This hill provides a good overview.
Highness.
One of my impetuous friends in Lorraine made a bet with
a court lady who of them would be able to undress faster.
Whose garments are more complicated?
Those of men or those of women?
But they did not do this public, did they?
- Of course, only in a private circle.
The garment of women is
more complicated, of course.
Everybody knows that.
- One might think so.
But on the contrary.
The lady won, and do you know why?
One can easily get entangled
in the brocade of men's clothes.
Silk, on the other hand, is so smooth.
Nearly elusive.
Like a snake.
It is not only convenient
but also seductive.
What are you wearing, Madam?
If I may be so bold.
Are you going out?
Only for a walk.
Will [Countess] Fritz accompany you?
Come along.
I still need to finish correspondences,
and furthermore...
furthermore I am tired.
Then lie down.
Are you punishing me for being Austria's ruler?
That is far from me.
I only want a normal life.
What does he want again?
Apologies, Serene Highness.
A Prussian messenger has arrived
with a dispatch from Friedrich II.
Friedrich suggests a bargain to us. He wants to
sponsor your husband during the Imperial election.
And what if I do not want to become Emperor?
He demands Silesia in return. Otherwise...
So Friedrich is threatening us?
Get Harrach. Quick!
What happened?
- Nothing so far.
The Prussians are ruthless again.
But that is nothing new, is it?
Does it afflict you that
you cannot be in there? With her?
No.
I have no talent for moping.
And furthermore, the merchants from Tuscany will arrive
tomorrow, and that, I think, is much more entertaining.
How can you think about entertainment
when the country is in such distress?
The country is constantly in distress,
and has been for centuries, Anna.
I believe this will not change tonight.
If you refuse the bargain,
Friedrich will question the border agreements.
And will use all of this as
a pretense for an annexation.
I do not think so.
Marshall Grumbkow guaranteed me
an alliance with the Prussians.
How am I supposed to
answer Friedrich, Your Highness?
That I will not grant his impertinent demand.
I beg you, Highness.
At least pretend you want to negotiate.
We would gain some time by doing so.
Am I supposed to sidestep diplomatically
like Prince Eugene of Savoy?
Certainly not.
With all due respect,
you are choosing the wrong path, High...
I am not sitting on the throne to bow to anyone.
Not even before the Prussians.
Write to Friedrich,
"I, The Archduchess of Austria,
will not agree to his 'offer'."
Period.
And I myself will write to Grumbkow,
and he will surely be able to resolve all of this.
The Dutch and the East Indian company
are not on good terms.
Due to this, the import
of Chinese silk has faltered.
And in France, the warehouses are all empty.
Then we will buy Italian silk
and bring the French cloth-makers here.
If they do not have work in France,
we will give them some here.
Highness.
What is that needed for?
- It is a swing for children.
You believe there is interest in silk in Vienna?
What do you think?
Such a thing could not carry me, could it?
But Countess. Please.
May I?
Take a seat.
Interesting.
Not very elegant, is it?
- If it carries her.
Oh, I am flying!
- Comfort.
Is this linen?
Mhm. Do you like it?
Well, the ladies in France now only favour silk.
Oh really?
- Mhm.
And under how many French ladies'
skirts have you peaked already?
Well, courtesy demands
to keep quiet about that.
But if you are already asking,
I can tell you this much.
In all relevant cases,
the skirts were always made of silk.
Gentlemen.
The spreading of silk requires
our full personal devotion.
But in the end, we will be successful.
I am sure of that.
Who are all of them?
Them? These are only the court vipers.
It is best if you do not pay attention to them at all.
Why? Do they have something against me?
I fear you are too young, too beautiful
and too talented for their tastes.
And that is all?
Does it matter what they think of you?
Yes, it does.
Majesty, I feel honored.
- Really?
I heard the exact opposite.
They say he feels compromised by my rule.
I would never think such a thing.
- Is it like that?
My lords.
Does Count Lorenz feel comfortable?
So he does not.
How can I make sure of his well-being?
More dispatches? More decrees?
Receiving more delegations?
Your Highness is too kind.
- He means too weak.
My insignificant opinion is we should set a clear example
in Europe that we are not afraid of any conflict.
So he expects me to put on
chain armor and go to war.
Of course not, Majesty.
Military issues are surely
your dear husband's responsibility.
My husband has other advantages.
You are surely right about that.
Let me feel this again.
So let me look!
May I ask what is going on here?
I am researching which
fabrics are the most popular.
As it seems, linen is still the favorite but
I am trying to convince the ladies
of the advantages of silk.
Why does he still have my letter to Grumbkow?
He should have posted it by now.
Marshall Grumbkow is dead, Highness.
He was arrested at the Prussian border
and executed for high treason.
What is that supposed to mean?
I do not know.
So Marshall Grumbkow was
a servant of two masters?
Extremely interesting.
I definitely need to put that into my annals.
What do you mean by servant of two masters?
Well, on one hand, he was the Prussians' ambassador.
For them, he should spy at Viennese court.
On the other hand,
he let himself be bribed by the Prince of Savoy.
So then he was on our side
after all, was he not?
As long as Savoy was alive maybe,
after that certainly not.
But Savoy himself was a schemer.
If you want to call him that.
But he always schemed for our benefit.
Does he think I was wrong about the Prince?
Maybe you are also wrong
about other persons, Highness.
Is it be possible
Grumbkow really poisoned my father?
Many things are possible, Highness.
He would have had reason for it.
Grumbkow wanted to see you on the throne
because he considered you to be easy prey.
And him [you], Spannagel?
Does he also think that I am a bad ruler?
I do not know.
I only understand things
once they have become history.
You neglect your marital duties, Maria Theresia.
Did my husband complain?
He looks for distraction elsewhere.
But it had to come this way.
Is it my fault when he is looking for diversion?
If you cannot even keep your husband,
how do you actually want to keep the realm?
Come to your senses!
Luise.
Luise!
And find me Viennese citizens who would be willing
to invest into the running of a cloth-making manufacture.
We will produce silk in great style.
If you only knew, Leopold,
what they are wearing, the local ladies.
Tell me, I would really love to know.
At the same time, we will produce wool. Write to Hungary.
The assets there are ideal for sheep breeding.
We will produce cloth better
than from Flanders.
Oh, bold plan.
Want to bet I can do that?
- Rather not. I am only a poor chamberlain.
You know you would lose.
- Yes.
Well then write.
Very good, gentlemen. Put the chair over there.
Harrach's suggestion for the council meeting.
The report about our garrisons in the provinces.
- Wait.
It is alright.
- What is with her?
Probably the teeth.
- She is allowed to leave. Hey.
Oh, does she have a fever?
She is not needed here, Countess.
Why is she sneaking around
my daughter all the time?
Apologies, [Countess] Fritz just wanted to help.
I will take her to the masseur.
- Let it be. I will take care of that.
You have to work.
That can wait. I do not want certain countesses
to think they need to take care of my daughters.
You are right about that, Highness.
But considercertain countesses may not
only want to replace you as a mother.
What do you intend to do?
I want to lie down.
I cannot sleep so early.
I did not say anything about sleeping.
But...you just wanted to leave.
What give you that idea?
If I was not the ruler of Austria, I...
I would apologize to you.
I could not bare if my wife apologizes to me.
I am not.
But if I did I would say that I was
a little overwrought in the last time.
You are the most beautiful woman
I have ever seen.
You still think of me this way?
Oh yes.
Apologies, Your Highness.
The Prussians have invaded Silesia.
They are already advancing into heart of the country.
Excuse me?
We are at war, Highness.
The Prussians king has...has invaded Silesia in the
middle of the night and with...with more than 20,000 men.
Our regiments did not stand a chance.
- Who delivered the dispatch?
I want to hear it from him.
The adjutant of General Choltitz, Majesty.
What is with the people of Silesia?
Did they assist us during the fight?
Did they hide?
- Mh-mh.
Fled?
- Mh-mh.
Speak or I will have him degraded.
They cheered them.
Who?
The Prussians?
What did you do to the people?
Speak or does he want to
feel the rope around his neck?
Our people scavenged.
They were hungry.
And they shot the quarry in the woods, butchered
horses, but the hunger stayed. It was not enough.
Only cold and distress.
Open the auxiliary stores.
Send half of our stocks to the regiments.
It will not last very long, Your Highness.
Then open the royal enclosures, let them be hunted
empty and send the quarry to the front line.
Do something! The hunger must end!
Highness, allow me a moment.
- What is it?
Does he have another advice fore me
from Savoy from the afterlife?
I only want to help, Highness.
- Yeah, does he want that?
Maybe he also wants to sit
on the throne instead of me.
I cannot follow. What do you mean?
- He obviously knows better how all of this works.
The spirit of the great Savoy
will surely whisper to him while ruling.
They are hunting the royal quarry enclosures empty.
Even the most valuable stags. We need to intervene.
I do no care about the stags.
We need to save our own skin. We will leave court.
Friedrich's troops are still far away.
We will stop them.
Who? The girl with the pig-head and
the army of vagabonds? Think, Schwarz!
We will wait for you in Tuscany.
Go!
And how long will the supplies last
for the soldiers at the Northern border?
Not very long. We urgently need
more regiments at the front line
if we want to stop the Prussians.
And they also need to be supplied.
Apologies, Highness.
I come to you because of Princess Karolina.
It could be Pox.
Is it?
Well then, may God help us.
Give her a medication, and go now.
Continue.
The Prussians have invaded Bohemia.
Smile, Highness.
Pretend everything is absolutely fine.
- The Prussians have twice as many soldiers.
And they are better equipped than any other army.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
What happened?
- Everything is alright.
Really?
Franz, give us a moment.
I will explain it to you later, alright?
Is Secretary Bartenstein here?
- Why?
I would like to ask for an audience with my dear wife.
- Franz, you do not need to do that.
I do.
I would really like to remind her
we promised to stand together for better or for worse.
She should know I feel like the fifth wheel.
Even though she claimed she could not live without me.
- This has not changed at all.
Oh it has.
Now I only disturb you
and keep you away from things.
This time last year I had already noted down
about seventy balls in my journal.
Look how it is now.
The confectioner's ball, the hunter's ball, the bonbon ball.
All of them canceled and also all of the masquerades.
This is the end.
The Straußen's and Liechtenstein's
already left last week.
Just like Count Lorenz and Baron Hegenbarth.
Countess Strauß sent a letter from Paris.
They are supposedly invited to court.
In other countries, they still value
the Austrian nobility. Not like around here.
If we all suddenly vanished,
The Archduchess would not even notice.
Poof!
Poof.
Let them all vanish.
You would not miss Countess Fritz
if I understand correctly.
For my part, the whole noble court could vanish.
How can you expect loyalty from the soldiers
when the nobility is already leaving the country?
Control yourself, Count.
- But he is right.
My dear.
- Mhm?
It seems like your are in desperate need
of some candied violets.
My lords, I hope you do not bore
The Archduchess with your awful military affairs.
Because then I would have to be mad.
The current situation requires...
- Nonsense situation. There is always some situation.
Come, Highness.
Truly annoying. I even specially
ordered a new dress á la francais.
The poor Dress.
Now it lays in the dark box the whole time.
And in the end, the moths will eat it.
You simply must not allow that to happen, Elisa.
In the name of your dress, I strongly beseech,
please parade it and show it around.
And your dresses?
Do you already have plans for them?
Sunny Tuscany.
Come with us.
Elisa, you must not do that.
Because Franz Stephan - like everybody
knows - needs your female company.
I wish I would die or get sick.
Why?
I could close the door and
no one would have to come in.
Then close the door and post the guards.
But everybody needs something from me.
Everybody wants something from me,
everybody has something important to tell me, and I?
I do everything wrong!
For the council I am a bad strategist,
for Franz I am a bad wife,
for the doctor a bad mother
who cannot even take care of her children.
The soldiers do not want to fight for me.
And the nobility is fleeing
from Vienna in droves. And in...
In Slesia, they celebrate Friedrich as a liberator.
Yes?
And the worst is that Kinsky was right all the time.
He probably was.
You look horrible.
If you do the things like a man and with force,
you will never reach your goals.
You are a woman. Be gentle.
Should I talk about hoop skirts and
undergarments while soldiers are croaking?
Drink wine while hunger rules the country?
Of course.
Let me be!
- Oh come on.
The worse the situation in the country is
the more important beautiful appearances become.
[Countess] Fritz is taking care of that.
Then do it too. Affront her.
Take her!
He was so shy.
The Archduchess Maria Theresia requests
the Countess Fritz for an audience.
It will be an honor to us to keep The Archduchess company.
- Only you alone, Countess.
Oh, I am supposed to
come alone? When?
Immediately.
It looks like I am being arrested.
If you would please follow me.
Lorenz, Tulln, Liechtenstein, Schönborn.
This is a list of all those
who left Vienna without my permission.
The list only gets longer
and longer each day.
She knows about that, Countess, does she not?
I am sorry, I am not informed about that.
She will stay loyal to Viennese court, I heard.
Countess, this makes me happy.
Although the reason is my husband
and this, of course, does not make me as happy.
Those are only evil rumors.
I thought my husband's affection flatters her. Or does
she feel harassed? Speak honestly with me, Countess!
Elisa, I...
I can offer you more than
the favor of some duke. I...
My favor.
Yes, our relationship will probably
not be as passionate but...
it will last much longer.
I am...I am loyal.
Highness, I assume this loyalty has its price?
From now on...
what benefits me will benefit her too, Countess.
But now...now let us take care of her ball gown.
We do not want the moths to eat, do we?
Milady, please.
An archducal ball. A true novelty.
It will be fantastic.
Pompous and very exquisite.
Vienna has not experienced
a ball like this for years.
Count Schwarz,
May I give you the invitations for your friends,
the Count Lorenz and the others? May I?
Of course.
But...just in case if one is not in Vienna...
Oh! This would truly be unfortunate. Whoever miss this ball,
may never be invited back to court. Never again.
This would be the social death of anybody, Countess.
Do you truly believe The Archduchess
wants to be this, uhm, strict?
No.
Her Highness is so kind she cannot even imagine
anyone would leave court without her permission, Count.
Hopefully we will not stay alone
with all of this glory and splendour.
Highness.
The pox have reached the face.
The most important thing is she survives.
His Highness is with her.
- I am coming.
Apologies but you still need
to get dressed, Highness.
But I need to be with my child now.
I know. But you cannot help little Karolina now.
But you are needed here.
Your task today is to bolster the others up,
Highness. This was exactly your plan.
And tomorrow you can be
with your daughter all day long.
She receives new medication.
I think it is helping.
Lord in heaven make it true.
She sleeps as calmly as an angel.
Well thank God.
We are ready.
Wait, I...
Do you not here it? It is completely silent
in there. No one has come.
At least we have the room all to ourselves then.
A ball at which I am dancing alone.
Then I could abidcate immediately.
Open.
Count Lorenz with wife?
This is a surprise. I thought you left Vienna?
No, God forbid, not left.
It was not more than
a small outing to the countryside.
In these difficult times
we are, of course, here, Highness
With our Archduchess
to whom we are deeply devoted to.
The last dance of the evening now belongs to
Her Archducal Highness Maria Theresia and
His Serene Highness Franz Stephan, The Duke of Tuscany.
I thank you for accepting this invitation.
We are experiencing rough/stormy times.
But thanks to its loyalist the House of
Habsburg-Lorraine will survive every storm safely.
And now, the Duke and I
want to reward two of you with a dance.
I dedicate this dance to...
I dedicate it to him, Count Kinsky.
Me?
Are you sure?
- Absolutely.
And so my husband does not need to stand alone,
I ask Countess Fritz to take care of him.
Elisa.
You will certainly grant him this dance.
Always fully at your service, Highness.
He must not believe, he receives
this dance completely for free, Count.
Whatever you wish, Highness.
I am at your service.
I expect him at the council meeting on Monday.
It is an honor to me to attend as a guest there.
Not as a guest.
I need a constant, reliable adviser, Count.
But only if he does not tell me what
the Prince of Savoy would have done in my place.
Savoy?
Savoy, help me, Highness,
who was that again?
I missed you in the last time, Countess.
Your darling wife took up most of my time.
I did not even have time to
thank you for the beautiful silk, Highness.
And do you wear it?
Guess.
I do not have to guess for that.
Maybe we should bet who of us takes less time to undress.
- But Duke!
Who would stop us?
My heart.
Did you give it to someone else?
Yes, your wife.
Because with her it is
more secure than with you.
Fame and glory to our Archduchess!
- To the victory of our brave soldiers!
To the eternal glory of the House of Habsburg!
Bravo!
Bravo.
To the wisdom and beauty of my wonderful wife,
The Archduchess Maria Theresia!
Bravo!
Long may she live.
Bravo!
Bravo!
I am sorry.
There was nothing we could do anymore.
And? And what did Kinsky say?
The Prussians made us a new offer.
They are offering peace to us.
There we go, you will have a child and
we all will have peace. And now, breathe firmly.
Breathe in!
- And what do they want in return?
Saxony, and on top of that Glatz.
Highness, we should consider
a Cesarean section.
No way!
- What do you mean? No way what, Highness?
Prussia. We will not give an inch
of the realm to this monster!
Prussia guarantees an immediate truce
if we grant them the annexed lands.
We need to accept that.
- At least then we could catch a breath for once.
In truth, Friedrich only wants to
force our surrender.
Do you maybe have a better solution, Count?
In a few minutes you will sleep,
Highness, and not feel a thing.
Call for Bartenstein!
Too late. We need to bring this child into the world this way.
- We must ask France for help.
Highness!
Do you hear me? You must stay awake. Please!
A breech delivery.
No, please don't. Please don't.
- Wait outside.
Wait outside! Go!
What happened?
Is she alive?
- You have a son, Highness.
And her?
Did he hear what I said?
Darling.
Darling.
Praise the Lord! It is a miracle!
The realm has an heir to the throne!
Oh, praise the Lord!
It is a boy.
Oh, Lord in heaven.
A son! It is finally a son!
Darling.
Look, Josef, there she is.
This is your mum.
Is she not beautiful?
I chose the most beautiful mum
in the world for you.
He does not look like Karolina.
Karolina is in heaven.
We have a son now, hm?
Hear how they are celebrating with us.
There is no reason to celebrate.
He was born too late.
The Prussians are coming.
Soon there will be war.
Long may he live!
Long may he live!
Long may he live!
Good luck!
Long may he live!
Highness.
The Bavarians declared war, have they not?
Yes, unfortunately.
Your Highness...
France has joined in the war against us as well.
But...
But we gave France the entirety of Lorraine.
Yes.
But they betrayed us.
And you will not die on me.
Hey you?
Pst. Pst, pst.
Will you promise me that?
Pst, pst.
Pst, pst, pst, pst.
How certain is he that Bavaria will truly attack us?
We are negotiating about territorial concessions.
You surrender without my knowledge?
Surrender and negotiations
are not the same, Highness.
Furthermore, we let them know from the beginning
we will not negotiate with the anti-Habsburg coalition
but only with single states.
For that, the Bavarians need to recall
the alliance with France, Prussia and Spain.
Spain?
- They are like bloodhounds.
Greedy to devour a part of the Habsburg realm.
Anyway, we are gaining time.
We will need to move
the troops to the Northern border.
They are already marching.
They are currently passing Vienna.
Thank you, Kinsky.
And I want to see them.
Apologies, Highness, but I fear a parade
would be inappropriate at the current time.
I do not want a parade.
The men shall know that...
that they are needed.
That we are proud of them.
Attention!
Shoulder arms!
- Shoulder arms!
One.
Two.
Three.
There will be boots for everyone
and enough supplies.
The enemy, the Prussians are strong.
They are more in numbers
and have stronger weapons!
But we have the strongest weapon!
Our faith!
Because the Lord above is on our side!
So let us pray!
Gracious Lord above
stand by these brave men in their just fight.
Punish the enemy with disgrace and doom!
Almighty Lord, our creator,
for our sins, you have put our fate
into the hands of our enemies.
But we beg you show mercy on us poor sinners.
Be no longer angry with us,
us who are your loyal servants for eternity.
Because you are the Lord
of the world now and always.
Almighty Lord, our creator,
for our sins, you have put our fate
into the hands of our enemies
who brutally slaughtered us.
Lord, I beg you have mercy on our poor souls.
Be no longer angry with us
who are your loyal servants.
Save us from this terror and we will praise you forever. Lord...
have mercy on these poor souls and take them in.
Amen.
5,000 fallen soldiers.
We will have to ask England for help.
They shall send us weapons and groceries.
No.
We will ask the Hungarians for help.
If you most humbly allow me, Highness,
but only most recently you said yourself the Hungarians
are now constantly dreaming of separating from us.
They would not be ready to die for us.
Well the situation has changed, has it not?
Do I understand you correctly, Highness? You want to
step in front of the Hungarian parliament and declare:
"Look, I am your future queen.
Send me 60,000 soldiers quickly."
Yes, basically like that.
First of all, I will win allies
among the Hungarian nobility.
Some of them were loyal to my father, and...
they will surely support me as well.
Apologies but with all due respect
I disagree, Highness.
But no one was loyal to your father.
And if we bribe them?
We have no money.
The war devours it all.
Without the Hungarians we will lose the war.
- We have no choice.
Before I relinquish anything,
all of my troops need to be beaten to death.
Tell Bartenstein, he shall write to Hungary.
An invitation for an audience.
Invitation for whom, Highness?
To Nikolaus Esterházy.
Or what would have Prince Eugene done in my stead?
He would have negotiated with Esterházy.
Exactly.
Told you.
It is from the Jew.
I spent a fortune on it but it is worth it.
That is bad taste.
He will notice me this way.
Who are you talking about?
Nikolaus Esterházy.
Esterházy comes for political negotiations, Countess.
An Esterházy always loves pleasure, just like I do.
I have a special weakness for his mustache.
He has a mustache?
All Hungarians have one.
They twirl their mustaches, brandish around with
their sabers, and roll their eyes while doing so.
They roll their eyes doing exactly what?
- May I?
But I will get it back?
[Countess] Fritz is already
going to fluff up the pillows.
Like I know her, she will be the first
to approach Esterházy.
Highness.
Elisa, please, I have not time.
I must prepare for the arrival of The Count.
That is exactly why I am here.
Luise!
And what am I supposed to do with it?
One mustknow the opponent's weaknesses
and exploit them cleverly, Highness.
Well and Esterházy has
a weakness for feminine charms.
I will gladly leave that to you, alright?
A little bit too common, is it not?
Thank you, very pretty.
That is all?
Franz if it makes you happy,
I will, of course, gladly wear it, alright?
If you tried to hide your tears of gratitude,
you have succeeded magnificently.
My admiration, ladies.
What a beautiful morning.
Excuse my audacity, Highness, but...
If I did not know you personally, I would not know
who is the master and who is the servant.
Well, I am going to work.
Work.
To work?
Yes.
We need money urgently.
You are of noble blood.
The subjects earn the money.
You are the ruler, Highness.
When the royal treasury is filled again,
ruling will certainly be easier again.
And where do you work?
I own two cloth manufactures
and, additionally, my own tailor shops.
Please come for visit one day. Ladies.
You are expected.
You will immediately be received, Count.
His Serene Highness,
Count Esterházy de Galántha.
Well that is an impressive mustache.
Stay seated.
[in Latin]
We missed you, Majesty.
How are you?
Excellent, Count.
And how you feel, Your Grace?
Are you still occupying yourself
with such difficult literature?
And he?
Is he still irked by women
who think for themselves?
I am ashamed of that.
I only wanted you to notice me.
He shall feel welcome at Viennese court.
We are happy he accepted our invitation.
Nice to meet you.
- And everything on horseback.
Countess Lorenz, Highness.
He would not even notice.
- Well...
My goodness, Count.
Will the ladies be there tonight?
If he wants to make up for his transgression,
he has the chance to do so ow.
Together we could stop the Prussians.
The two of us?
- You allow me, Highness?
You mean Her Highness and I?
- I need the Hungarian army.
Otherwise I cannot hold on to the dominions.
Highness.
- Gentlemen.
- Countess.
This fact is known in Hungary.
Is it like that?
Only that we Hungarians actually do not see
a reason for an alliance with the weak.
So according to him, I am weak?
Will you now punish me for my impudence?
He has every reason to be worried.
The Catholic Church is not as much of
a support to him as it has been in the past?
There are more and more Protestants
among the Hungarian nobility, are there not?
You are well-informed.
With a Catholic on the throne,
the tables would turn.
She could lead the people back to the one true faith,
and this would also be a blessing for him, Count.
Enough of politics now.
Elisa.
Save The Count before I bore him
by talking for much longer.
Ladies.
May we keep you company, Count?
Very kind. Nice to meet you.
- Highness.
We just heard a new joke. May?
- Uhm, if you would please excuse me now.
- No, I have to tell it to...
Another time. Nice to have met you, Countess.
- But you will like it.
Another time, dearest.
- It will not take long, Count.
This arrogance.
Well, busy dignitaries are always in a hurry.
I do not understand much of politics but tell me
do you know another realm in which the most
beautiful woman is also sitting on the throne?
Certainly not.
You think?
- It is alright.
I do not.
Too bad she is already taken.
You would be a wonderful couple.
And you are a cheeky young lady.
Tell me, what is your name?
Wilhelmine Colloredo.
Always at your service, Count.
And for what would I need
your services,Wilhelmine Colloredo?
I would really like to help you, Highness.
But I am uncertain if I am capable of that.
The Prince of Savoy chased
the Ottomans out of Hungary. Our soldiers...
Does he think that is funny?
If poor old Eugene had known, you would
invoke his military accomplishments one day...
He knew.
What, Maria?
That one day I would be
so desperate that I must beg for help.
Count, I know he is called
the uncrowned King of Hungary.
So why would he help me on the throne?
- Maybe out of...
of love?
How would they explain such
a thing in the history books?
But I beg of you.
Loyal Spannagel would surely also find
an explanation for this, little king's daughter.
Will he help me?
How about we discuss everything
further during a ride tomorrow?
I am slowly becoming jealous of you, dear brother.
I understand that.
The ladies at court have extremely dolled theirselves up.
They have been excited for your arrival for a long time.
Look at these splendid cleavages.
- I cannot promise you this.
I understand.
But maybe this view was not destined for me.
It is. I can assure you that.
Countess of Graben, come, my dear,
I would like to introduce you to one another.
Excuse me.
The Countess has been raving about your charm
and your splendid mustache to me for ages.
For such a beautiful creature like you,
I would even go to war.
How can I serve you, Countess?
I would love to get to know more about Hungary.
Is it actually true that you have
this horrible dungeon at Spielberg castle?
Yes, including torture chambers.
Are you not coming along for the ride?
- I do not want to disturb you.
You do not disturb. Come along.
I had a picnic prepared at the pavilion uphill.
Yesterday a concert, today a picnic, the day after
tomorrow a masquerade. You are overdoing it.
Excuse me?
- We must save money.
We are at war and you criticize me for three roast chicken?
- We need every Guilder!
Then show me a war which was one by saveing
We need men who go to war
for their faith and their country.
I know. And I will never belong to these men.
I am only good at taking care of my assets and for building
a swing for the children. Is that what you intended to say?
No, I do not.
But if we do not find someone who protects us,
the Prussians will turn your swing into shavings
and light the Hofburg on fire with them.
Yeah sure, Esterházy plays the gallant savior
and I am the husband who takes care of the swings.
Be reasonable.
Weird, I just wanted to recommend
to you to do the same.
Slower, Maria!
Highness, ride slower!
Everything alright?
- Yes, thank you.
Get off, Highness.
Everything alright?
The sidesaddle is dangerous.
[German: Lady's saddle]
Why do you not try the men's saddle?
I will surely not ride this way in front of him.
Why not?
Because it is inappropriate, Count.
It is inappropriate?
Oh it is nothing more than custom.
It is inappropriate.
We Hungarians, on the other hands,
think it is inappropriate to be ruled by a woman.
So, come on.
One, two and three.
Any other obstacles?
You were right yesterday.
We Esterházys are Hungary's
most influential noble house.
That is also why we have so many enemies.
And he does not want
to take a risk, does he?
If it is worth it, I am not scared of any risk.
If I can be sure the bond which links us is real,
I will give you everything I have, Maria.
He has my friendship, Count.
That is not enough for me.
He lost his mind.
Wilhelmine, how wonderful.
That fits well.
Do you want to buy a new dress?
I cannot afford your dresses - not yet.
But if the Lord wills it,
one day I will have a rich husband too.
Gentlemen, our future customer.
Leopold, will you please take care of the young lady?
A pure miracle.
Please.
In the old days, such a thing took a month.
Now we can do it in two days.
- And the trim.
- Of course.
Franz Stephan is a hero.
Too bad The Archduchess
does not seem to appreciate it.
Be careful what you say.
What? It is the truth.
They should get a divorce.
The Pope would surely agree to her.
Then she would take
Count Esterházy as her husband
and together they would chase away the Prussians.
And what about the poor duke?
He would take a girl as his wife
who knows how to appreciate his skills.
He would take her to Tuscany and
there they would live happily ever after.
And that would be you?
Why not?
What is that?
This is the costume of
a shepherdess for the masquerade.
And for whom is it?
For Maria Theresia?
I want one just like that.
No one is allowed to dress like Her Highness.
Why? That would be funny.
- I do not think so.
Leopold.
It is impossible to deny
such a beautiful lady's wish.
What is that?
Flowers in the Hungarian colors.
Highness.
Is he writing a love letter?
He wants a tete-à-tete.
He has fallen in love.
I knew it.
I have not time for such things.
I am really worrying about other things right now.
Get them out.
All of it.
Where to, Highness?
Where to?
On to the dung heap.
Her Highness wishes to see
these flowers in the dining hall.
The Hungarians colors are beautiful decoration.
I will invite Count Esterházy for
a private dinner before the ball tomorrow.
How private?
He and I.
You think it gives me pleasure?
- Indeed. That is exactly what I think.
You know what, Franz?
Unlike you, I have responsibilities.
It costs me an effort but if it is for the country
then I will do it. Then I will do it. Then I will do it.
So, you are cheating on me due to a sense
of responsibility? Well then I can rest assured.
You are making a big mistake, Maria Theresia.
Come with me to Pressburg [Bratislava].
As Queen of Hungary and The Archduchess
of Austria, you can also rule from there.
Why would I?
Because I want to see you everyday.
Everyday and every night, Maria.
If I wanted to , if...
I could not.
Would you want to?
I am a married woman, Count.
That was not an answer.
Well that is everything
I have to say about it.
So Austria will have to rely on only itself
in these rough times, right?
Count, do demand
impossible things from me. I...
I cannot got with him to Pressburg [Bratislava].
And what is possible for you?
What does he demand?
Your heart.
Only the heart?
I do not believe that.
In our country, the one thing belongs to the other.
Do I have a choice?
Without him, I will lose the war.
If that is the price for Hungarian soldiers then...
I will do it.
So you view this as a sacrifice for your country?
Count, making sacrifices is my duty.
Sacrifices.
Honor.
Performance of duty!
I do not fear for my honor.
This will at most hurt my reputation.
You doubt my discretion in this matter?
He will surely not miss out on
the applause for such a big prey. Confess.
How often did he have something
as valuable as me in front of his shotgun?
I only still need
the instructions for tonight. Where?
When? Should I wear
something special? He surely has his ideas.
I only need to name time and place
and you will come to me?
Yes.
Good.
I will consider it.
We will see each other at the ball?
Already back from your rendezvous?
Pretty early, is it not?
Yes.
Leave!
Leave!
Something new?
You mean if we have
an ally against the Prussians?
They already say the Pope
would agree to annul our marriage.
Are you bringing up stupid rumors again?
And? Is something about it true?
I do not intend to
neglect my duties as a wife.
How romantic.
Do you hear how that sounds?
Is it this hard to bring yourself to say that?
You are the father of my children.
I hoped I was more to you.
Highness.
Who is that?
Who is that?
If I may?
Thank you for saving me.
They obviously have no sense
of humor at Viennese court.
I am not surprised about that.
It is probably best you will immediately
go to her and apologize to Her Highness.
And at this occasion,
you deliver a confidential message to her.
As you wish, Count.
You tell her
that I expect her immediately
at the side boudoir [private women's salon].
And now go.
Apologies, Highness.
Esterházy is waiting for you.
Never could I bear if a woman offers herself
to me in exchange for something.
I wish you the best of luck.
Where is he, your lover?
Is he late?
Shall I look for him so
you can fulfill your historic duty?
Quick, come on. Get on!
She does not deserve you.
She does not deserve you.
Did you deliver the message?
She does not want me, does she?
Weird.
If love was not a part of it,
I always won the game.
But with love I lost.
Take care of yourself, Wilhelmine.
Defeat.
Retreat.
Heavy losses.
Was that supposed to be a report?
He shall speak in a manner
we can understand him.
The French troops crossed the river Rhine.
Together with their Bavarian allies,
they march towards Linz.
What does he suggest, Choltitz?
All men fit for military service to the front line...
- ...and to certain death.
What is he implying?
We are not victorious but
we also do not surrender.
The only thing we are doing
is wasting human lives.
I can no longer participate in that.
That is high treason.
For all I care, take my life but
do not sacrifice any more men due to stubbornness.
Our men are gladly fighting for us!
But not to die senselessly.
Bartenstein, come back!
Highness.
Behave, hm?
You hurt Esterházy's male honor.
I beg you, do not go.
Send a dispatch. The Archduchess is on
her way to Pressburg [Bratislava] and
expects to be received by the Hungarian parliament.
We do not have enough votes
which would support you in the Hungarian parliament.
Highness, do you really want to get a spanking there?
She will keep an eye on everything
for me until I return, Elisa.
You do not need to come along.
I can do this on my own.
[Bratislava 1741]
Only Hungarian nobility is allowed in there.
Give him to me.
Resi.
I am Maria Theresia,...
The Archduchess of Austria.
My father, Charles VI, tasked me with
the government of the dominions after him.
Europe promised him support
and had itself be paid greatly for it.
But the promise was not worth
the paper it was written on.
Prussia swore friendship...
and betrayed me first.
France, to which we had given Lorraine,
the Bavarians, our brothers,...
they all deviously stabbed me in the back.
I am standing here in front of you,
betrayed by my friends.
Chased by my enemies,
abandoned by my closest relatives.
My only salvation are you.
You Hungarians. These proud
and brave people. And...
in my arrogance I hurt a valuable person's honor and lost
his friendship through this. I do not deserve your favor but...
But you are seeing me here
as mother of a defenseless child.
As a mother of an entire people,
as a defenseless woman
who can only appeal to your braveness anymore.
My realm, my child and I am in danger.
I am entrusting myself to your protection.
And I promise.
to uphold all Hungarian rights.
And...
I am ready to give my life for
Maria Theresia, The Queen of Hungary.
Long live Maria Theresia!
Long may she live!
I congratulate you.
You are now the consort of the Hungarian queen.
Well that actually means,
I do not congratulate you.
I rather I envy you much more.
Long may she live!
- Long!
Accipe coronam...
regni quae licet ab indignis...
episcoporum tamen manibus capiti tuo...
imponitur.
In nomine patris...
et filii...
et spiritus sancti.
Quam sanctitatis gloriam...
et honorem et opus...
If that is a good thing for us, brother?
I hope so.
ministerii nostri non ignores.
Long live Maria Theresia!
Long! Long!
Where were you actually
after the coronation yesterday?
I took care of my duties and
made contact with our Hungarian allies.
Contact?
As you know, Resi, we are at war.
We need loyal allies.
That is how it is.
And how many soldiers will they send you?
They promised 60,000.
I am glad if they send half of it.
Is that enough for us?
I will equip another 20,000.
You?
- Mhm.
Why? I am doing very good business
with my manufactures.
Do you know how much such a regiment costs?
I am better in doing math than you.
When we are back, we really should
host a ball in honor of your coronation.
As long as it is not a masquerade.
Maria Theresia ruled for 40 years over the Habsburg monarchy.
She bestowed Franz Stephan
with twelve more children
Franz Stephan became one of
the most successful entrepreneurs of his time.
After his death, Maria Theresia went for
four months to Esterháza [castle] in Fertőd.
There hangs the biggest portrait
of the ruler [Maria Theresia] until this day.
English subtitles by German Period Drama Translations.
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