My Personal Tasty Bit of History for SHAMELESS PRINCESS: My ancestor fought for Napoleon!

1. Me at Karlsruhe Palace of Dukes of Baden!

A few years ago, I received as a Christmas present from my husband a full subscription to Ancestry.com. I had known for decades my paternal family history as far back as my great grandfather, who was the first in the family to leave Germany and emigrate to the United States. But I knew not anything more.

To my surprise and delight, I discovered in the German records that my great-great-great grandfather listed in the town records his profession as 'soldat'. Soldier. 

He lived during the period of the wars on the Continent and miraculously he survived. He had many children, of whom from one I am descended. But he was forced into the Baden army to serve Napoleon. Why? Because the duke—Der Grosse Herzog, auf Deutsch—aligned himself with Napoleon, then taxed and conscripted his own subjects so that he could gain more land!

2. Pistols on display in palace, c. 1815

So I tell you that as I wrote this story of the princess of Rittenberg and the English baron whom she grew to love, I was telling you also of my enchantment with the cities of Karlsruhe, the capital of Baden. The delights of Strasbourg, across on the French side of the Rhine. The delights of old Heidelberg, the city that for centuries printed more books than any other. 

3. Throne room of dukes of Baden

I show you my pictures...and I have more to come! 

1. Me in the gardens of the palace of the dukes' of Baden and in front of the man who was responsible for him fighting in Napoleon's wars.

2. The pistols circa 1815 used by Baden's soldiers during the Napoleonic wars.

3. The throne room of the Dukes of Baden. This is the example I used to paint a similar throne room in Rittenberg's palace for Crown Princess Elizabeth of Baden.

4. A closer look at the Duke of Baden's statue.

BUY LINK:  https://amzn.to/3EOLQ21

4. Closer look at the duke of Baden's statue.

Extra! These are the 2 scepters and crown of dukes of Baden!