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| Queen Caroline of Great Britain @Historic Royal Women |
(1768-1821)
Queen of Great Britain.
Daughter of Karl II of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel & Augusta of Hanover.
Wife of George IV of Great Britain, mar 1795.
Caroline's list of lovers..
"Lord Liverpool comes to Prince George with a report about the men in Caroline's life: Sir Thomas Lawrence; George Canning; Admiral Sidney Smith; Captain Thomas Manley; and the honorable Henry Hood. Caroline's neighbors, Sir John and Lady Douglass, made the list. And there is a report that Caroline has had a bastard child she has named William. Caroline has been virtually collecting children. All these children could be a possible cover for William, because she could always say William is just another child that stays with her." (A Royal Scandfal)
Her lovers during exile at Blackheath.
"Caroline didn't like her husband either and from George´s correspondence became clear that they had one three times sexual intercourse during the first two nights of their marriage. But it was enough for a daughter: in January 1796 Charlotte Augusta was born. Caroline and George lived seperate lives and didn't appear in public together. They both had other lovers. Caroline wasn't often allowed to see her daughter and in 1799 she was banished to Blackheath. Possibly George Canning and Sir Sidney Smith were her lovers there." (androom)
Mixing with the aates in a manor house.
"During her 15 years or so living at Montagu House, Princess Caroline was the target of some wild rumours. A sociable and confident woman, Charlotte hosted famously wild parties at Montagu House and was romantically linked to several men. She was accused of flirting with Naval heroes, Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith (1764-1840) and Captain Thomas Manby (1769-1834) and having a brief relationship with politician and future Prime Minister George Canning (1770 –1827). She wasn’t just a known for her social skills, but also her generosity with poor neighbours. In 1802, Caroline adopted a baby boy William Austin when his desperate mother brought him to the house." (Memoirs of a Metro Girl)
Queen Caroline's lovers were:
Ludwig Ferdinand of Prussia. (1772-1806)
Lover in 1794-1798.
Prussian prince & military commander., musician & composer.
Son of Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia and Elisabeth Louise of Brandenburg-Schwedt .
"In 1806, rumours that a four-year-old child in her entourage, William Austin, was her illegitimate son, led to what became known as 'the Delicate Investigation'. A Royal Commission repudiated the charge and found Lady Douglas, who had started the rumour, guilty of perjury. But years later, Caroline told her lawyer's brother that the child was the natural son of Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, who had always been her love. Mrs. Fitzherbert was to state later that Caroline had secretly married Prince Louise before she married the Prince of Wales." (Scandal!: An Explosive Exposé of the Affairs, Corruption and Power Struggles of the Rich and Famous)
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| Louis Ferdinand of Prussia @Wikipedia |
Ludwig Ferdinand of Prussia. (1772-1806)
Lover in 1794-1798.
Prussian prince & military commander., musician & composer.
Son of Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia and Elisabeth Louise of Brandenburg-Schwedt .
"In 1806, rumours that a four-year-old child in her entourage, William Austin, was her illegitimate son, led to what became known as 'the Delicate Investigation'. A Royal Commission repudiated the charge and found Lady Douglas, who had started the rumour, guilty of perjury. But years later, Caroline told her lawyer's brother that the child was the natural son of Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, who had always been her love. Mrs. Fitzherbert was to state later that Caroline had secretly married Prince Louise before she married the Prince of Wales." (Scandal!: An Explosive Exposé of the Affairs, Corruption and Power Struggles of the Rich and Famous)
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| George Canning @Wikipedia |
George Canning (1770-1827)
British prime minister
Lover in 1799.
" . . . George Canning, a twenty-nine-year-old politician who would later become prime minister, was a frequent visitor. Canning initially resisted what he called 'the abundant and overpowering temptation to the indulgence of passion. . . which must have been dangerous, perhaps ruinous, to her who was the cause of it, and myself,' but later became Caroline's lover. . . ." (Becoming Queen: 27)
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Thomas Lawrence |
Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830)
Lover in 1800-1801.
"In 1800 the dashing young society artist Thomas Lawrence stayed at Montague House for a number of nights and became another of Caroline's distinguished partners in flirtation. . . . " (The Trial of Queen Caroline: 26)
"In 1802, Lawrence exhibited a full length picture of Caroline, Princess of Wales, and her daughter, Charlotte. During the course of the sittings at Montague House, Blackheath, he had necessarily become 'very intimate' with the Princess of Wales and her daughter and 'fame was busy in attributing his visits to improper motives.' His relationship with the Princess of Wales was questioned during the Delicate Investigation of 1806 but he was cleared of any impropriety." (Regency History)
_-_Louis-Marie_Autissier.png/330px-Admiral_Sir_Sidney_Smith_(1764-1840)_-_Louis-Marie_Autissier.png) |
| Sidney Smith |
Sidney Smith (1764-1840)
Lover in 1801-1802.
British admiral
"Sir Sidney was lodging with Caroline's neighbours in Blackheath, Major-General Sir John Douglas---who had been with him at Acre---and Douglas's wife, Charlotte. Caroline befriended the little household. Lady Douglas, a good-looking, socially ambitions woman of low birth, became her constant companion, and for a time lived at Montague House. Sir Sidney, though was more intimate still. The Princess 'is at present entirely wrapped up in Sir Sidney Smith,' said Lord Minto in March. But by autumn he was cast aside in favour of a new love, Captain Thomas Manby. . . . " (The Trial of Queen Caroline: the Scandalous Affair that Nearly Ended a Monarchy:27)
Thomas Manby (1759-1834)
Lover in 1802-1804.
British naval officer.
Rear Admiral, RN
Also known as:
Thomas Moore Manby.
Son of Matthew Pepper Manby, Lord of Wood Hall Manor.
Husband of Judith Hammond (1887-?), mar 1810
"Fortunately for Caroline, Thomas Manby was an honourable man. According to his brother, George, the two men had been staying at the Spring Garden Coffee House in London when an anonymous letter arrived offering Thomas up to 40,000 pounds 'if he would give or furnish such information as would convict the Princess of Wales.' The man bearing the note was, according to the barmaid, Colonel John McMahon, George's servant and all. She said he later returned for an answer, but there was none. Manby burned the note in disgust." (The Trial of Queen Caroline: the Scandalous Affair that Nearly Ended a Monarchy:32)
John Chester.
Lover in 1805.
"Mrs. Lisle . . . added two more names to the legion of the Princess's possible illicit admirers in Mr. John Chester at Lady Sheffield's at Christmas 1805. . . ." (The Unruly Queen)
Henry Hood, 2nd Viscount Hood (1753-1836)
Lover in 1805.
Chamberlain of the Household to Queen Caroline, 1820-1821
Thomas Manby (1759-1834)
Lover in 1802-1804.
British naval officer.
Rear Admiral, RN
Also known as:
Thomas Moore Manby.
Son of Matthew Pepper Manby, Lord of Wood Hall Manor.
Husband of Judith Hammond (1887-?), mar 1810
"Fortunately for Caroline, Thomas Manby was an honourable man. According to his brother, George, the two men had been staying at the Spring Garden Coffee House in London when an anonymous letter arrived offering Thomas up to 40,000 pounds 'if he would give or furnish such information as would convict the Princess of Wales.' The man bearing the note was, according to the barmaid, Colonel John McMahon, George's servant and all. She said he later returned for an answer, but there was none. Manby burned the note in disgust." (The Trial of Queen Caroline: the Scandalous Affair that Nearly Ended a Monarchy:32)
John Chester.
Lover in 1805.
"Mrs. Lisle . . . added two more names to the legion of the Princess's possible illicit admirers in Mr. John Chester at Lady Sheffield's at Christmas 1805. . . ." (The Unruly Queen)
Henry Hood, 2nd Viscount Hood (1753-1836)
Lover in 1805.
Chamberlain of the Household to Queen Caroline, 1820-1821
Son of Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood and Susannah Hood, Baroness Hood of Catherington.
Husband of Jane Hood.
"Henry Hood, 2nd Viscount Hood, had been implicated in rumours of being a paramour of Caroline." (A Right Royal Rumpus)
"Mrs. Lisle confirmed that the Princess had driven out for hours at a time in Mr. Hood's whisky at Catherington, with no other companion but his servant. . . ." (The Unruly Queen.)
Captain Moore.
Lover in 1805.
" . . . Mrs. Lisle added . . . added two more names to the legion of the Princess's possible illicit admirers in . . . a Captain Moore, directly on the Princess's return to Blackheath. . . ." (The Unruly Queen)
Samuel Roberts.
Lover in 1806.
a footman
" . . . One of the footmen at the Montague House, Samuel Roberts -- perhaps the 'handsome footman' implicated by Lady Hester Stanhope -- had been more outspoken. 'The Princess is very fond of fucking,' he had said, an assertion treated by McMahon as a dispassionate observation, but it may well have been born of personal experience." (The Unruly Queen)
Ernest, Duke of Cumberland.
Lover in 1806.
Lord Rivers.
Lover in 1807-1809.
"Lord Rivers of Stratfield Saye and Sudeley Castle was a fifty-seven-year-old bachelor and, according to Lady Charlotte Campbell's 1838 Diary, 'a pleasant and elegant man -- one of the last of that race of persons who were the dandies of a former century.' He had been a Tory MP, and was to remain one of the King's lords of the bedchamber till 1810. As we have seen, he had been present at Blackheath in the summer of 1807 to celebrate the Princess's restoration to the King's favour. Whether or not Caroline granted him 'the lat favours' can no more be substantiated than whether Lady Hertford accorded that same prize to the Prince of Wales, as no correspondence between either couple exists. Rivers was often called the Princess's 'lover' as Lady Hertford was dubbed the Prince's 'mistress'. . . The Prince himself, characteristically, had Lowten , his private detective, investigate the Princess's relations with Rivers some years alter. A maid reported that one afternoon she had seen 'the pillows of the sofa on the floor, the floor covered with hair powder'. Suffice it to say that Rivers was a constant escort to the Princess in her new and sociable London life." (The Unruly Queen)
%252C_by_John_Hoppner.jpg%2F330px-Henry_Fitzgerald_(1761-1829)%252C_by_John_Hoppner.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*) |
| Lord Henry Fitzgerald |
Lover in 1809.
Amateur actor
"Lord Henry FitzGerald (1761-1829) amateur actor, fourth son of twenty-two children of James FitzGerald, twentieth Earl of Kildare, first Duke of Leinster. Older brother of Edward FitzGerald the Irish nationalist. Married Charlotte Boyle-Walsingham and became Baron de Ros. He was perhaps also lover to Caroline Amelia of Brunswick, Princess of Wales." (Elmbridge Hundred)
"Around the year 1810 we find Lord Henry Fitzgerald constantly to be seen in the company of the Princess of Wales - something indeed to set the tongues a-wagging. Caroline Amelia of Brunswick had engaged in a loveless marriage with her cousin, George, Prince of Wales, in 1795. . . The two were temperamentally incompatible. . . After a short time the two parted amid much acrimony, and kept two separate establishments. . . . The princess craved for the affection which was denied her. . . In this love-starved atmosphere she clung to whatever company - especially male company - was around. Her name was linked amorously to several gentlemen - probably with little foundation. When the amiable and urbane Lord Henry Fitzgerald appeared on her scene she fell for him hook, line, and sinker. It is difficult to tell just how intimate the two became during the following months, but, in spite of the fact that they were then both well over forty, it seems he returned her affection." (Molesey History)
John Ward, 1st Earl of Dudley (1781-1833)
Lover in 1810.
British aristocrat & politician.
"Around the year 1810 we find Lord Henry Fitzgerald constantly to be seen in the company of the Princess of Wales - something indeed to set the tongues a-wagging. Caroline Amelia of Brunswick had engaged in a loveless marriage with her cousin, George, Prince of Wales, in 1795. . . The two were temperamentally incompatible. . . After a short time the two parted amid much acrimony, and kept two separate establishments. . . . The princess craved for the affection which was denied her. . . In this love-starved atmosphere she clung to whatever company - especially male company - was around. Her name was linked amorously to several gentlemen - probably with little foundation. When the amiable and urbane Lord Henry Fitzgerald appeared on her scene she fell for him hook, line, and sinker. It is difficult to tell just how intimate the two became during the following months, but, in spite of the fact that they were then both well over forty, it seems he returned her affection." (Molesey History)
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John Ward 1st Earl of Dudley 19th cent. @Wikipedia |
Lover in 1810.
British aristocrat & politician.
Son of William Ward, 3rd Viscount Dudley & Ward & Ward & Julia Bosville.
"She [Charlotte, Princess of Wales] was also bitterly upset that her mother [Queen Caroline] had not supported her more -- but the Princess of Wales was, in her words to Whitbread, 'weary of all the trouble she had endured herself, and been the occasion of to her friends', Caroline was, in spirit, once more on the Continent, not in the drawing-roo of Connaught Place. It was only Brougham who had deluded Princess Charlotte into believing that Caroline would stay in England if her daughter, her chief protector, stayed -- and thought of leaving only because her daughter did. As her friend Mr. John Ward put it, 'this poor woman . . . it is evident, can never pass one hour of peace and happiness in this island'." (The Unruly Queen)
James Grant Raymond.
Lover in 1810.
Pietro Sapio.
Lover in 1813.
"She [Charlotte, Princess of Wales] was also bitterly upset that her mother [Queen Caroline] had not supported her more -- but the Princess of Wales was, in her words to Whitbread, 'weary of all the trouble she had endured herself, and been the occasion of to her friends', Caroline was, in spirit, once more on the Continent, not in the drawing-roo of Connaught Place. It was only Brougham who had deluded Princess Charlotte into believing that Caroline would stay in England if her daughter, her chief protector, stayed -- and thought of leaving only because her daughter did. As her friend Mr. John Ward put it, 'this poor woman . . . it is evident, can never pass one hour of peace and happiness in this island'." (The Unruly Queen)
James Grant Raymond.
Lover in 1810.
Pietro Sapio.
Lover in 1813.
Also known as:
the Young Chanticleer.
Italian musician
During the residence at Kensington Caroline began and maintained an intimacy with an Italian family of professional musicians, named Sapio. The family consisted of father, mother, and son, and, as in other instances, they had no sooner secured her countenance and support than they began to batten on her and use her for their own ends. Apparently she discovered this later on, for she dropped them as suddenly as she had taken them up, but in the meanwhile the freedom of intercourse between the Princess and the musicians gave rise to scandal out of all proportion to the cause." (A Queen of Indiscretions: lii)
" . . To the other cottage Caroline was herself an almost daily visitor, ostensibly taking singing lessons from a handsome Italian musician, Pietro Sapio. But Sapio had in fact become her lover, a circumstance made only too evident by the constant presence at Kensington Palace of his parents, a ramshackle and impoverished count and countess. . . ." (The Unruly Queen: n.p.)
Charles Hesse (1793-1832)
Lover in 1814.
Prussian officer.
Son of A Prussian merchant.
"Captain Hesse, a dashing young officer of the 18th Hussars, was the reputed son of the Duke of York by a German lady of rank. He served with Wellington's army in the Peninsula, and was wounded at Waterloo. His parentage naturally brought him into contact with Princess Charlotte, who fell in love with him when she was about sixteen. She wrote him some rather indiscreet letters, and, whilst he was in Spain, she sent him presents, which she experienced much difficulty in getting him to return. For some time after August 1814, whilst the Princess of Wales was living on the continent, he was in her Household, and her enemies alleged that she too had a fancy for him. He returned to England with her in 1820. In later years he had a liaison with the Queen of Naples, and this becoming too notorious, he was expelled . . . ." (The Letters of King Geore IV, Volumes 2-3: 321)
" . . . Charlotte even insinuated that Hesse was likely her mother's lover, as well. Captain Hesse had joined Princess Caroline as an equerry." (Her Parent's Pawn in English History Authors)
" . . . When Hesse was posted with his regiment to Bognor, in his vanity he sought to attract the attention of Princess Charlotte of Wales, only daughter of the Prince Regent, who was staying there. Several letters were exchanged between the couple through Margaret Mercer Elphinstone (later Countess de Flahaut), though General Garth also delivered some letters under the impression that they were from Charlotte's mother the Princess of Wale, who was estranged from the Regent. When the romance was discovered Hesse was sent out to Spain with his regiment." (Wikipedia)
" . . . Princess Charlotte told her father that her mother had left her alone with a cavalryman, Captain Charles Hesse, in Charlotte's own bedroom and locked them in, saying in French, 'I'm going now; enjoy yourselves.' Charlotte suspected that her mother wished to compromise her and promote Charlotte's illegitimate half-brother. The Prince Regent decided Charlotte should be married off as soon as possible but when the drunken Prince of Orange was suggested to her she fled in a hackney coach to her mother's house." (Jane Austen, Obstinate Heart: A Biography: 218)
"One of my most intimate friends was the late Captain Hesse, generally believed to be a son of the Duke of York, by a German lady of high rank. . . Hesse, in early youth, lived with the Duke and Duchess of York; he was treated in such a manner by them as to indicate an interest in him by their Royal Highnesses which could scarcely be attributed to ordinary regard, and was gazetted a cornet in the 18th Hussars at seventeen years of age. Shortly afterwards, he went to Spain, and was present in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged; receiving a severe wound in the wrist at the battle of Vittoria. When this became known in England, a royal lady wrote to Lord Wellington, requesting that he might be carefully attended to; and, at the same time, a watch, with her portrait was forwarded, which was delivered to the wounded Hussar by Lord Wellington himself. When he had sufficiently recovered, Hesse returned to England, and passed much of his time at Oatlands, the residence of the Duchess of York; he was also honoured with the confidence of the Princess Charlotte and her mother, Queen Caroline. Many delicate and important transactions were conducted through the medium of Captain Hesse; in fact, it was perfectly well known that he played a striking part in many scenes of domestic life which I do not wish to reveal. I may, however, observe that the Prince Regent sent the late Admiral Lord Keith to Hesse's lodgings, who demanded, in his Royal Highness's name, the restitution of the watch and letters which had been sent him when in Spain. After a considerable amount of hesitation, the Admiral obtained what he wanted the following day; whereupon Lord Keith assured him that the Prince Regent would never forget so great a mark of confidence, and that the heir to the throne would ever afterwards be his friend. I regret to say, from personal knowledge, that upon this occasion the Prince behaved most ungratefully and unfeelingly; for after having obtained all he wanted, he positively refused to receive Hesse at Carlton House." (Reminiscences of Captain Gronow: 217)
Captain Hesse's romantic career.
"Hesse's life was full of singular incidents. He was a great friend of the Queen of Naples, the grandmother of the ex-Sovereign of the Two Sicilies; in fact, so notorious was that liaison, that Hesse was eventually expelled from Naples under an escort of gendarmes. He was engaged in several affairs of honour, in which he always displayed the utmost courage; and his romantic career terminated by his being killed in a duel by Count Leon, natural son of the first Napoleon. He died as he had lived, beloved by his friends, and leaving behind him little but his name and the kind thoughts of those who survived him." (Reminiscences of Captain Gronow: 219)
the Young Chanticleer.
Italian musician
During the residence at Kensington Caroline began and maintained an intimacy with an Italian family of professional musicians, named Sapio. The family consisted of father, mother, and son, and, as in other instances, they had no sooner secured her countenance and support than they began to batten on her and use her for their own ends. Apparently she discovered this later on, for she dropped them as suddenly as she had taken them up, but in the meanwhile the freedom of intercourse between the Princess and the musicians gave rise to scandal out of all proportion to the cause." (A Queen of Indiscretions: lii)
" . . To the other cottage Caroline was herself an almost daily visitor, ostensibly taking singing lessons from a handsome Italian musician, Pietro Sapio. But Sapio had in fact become her lover, a circumstance made only too evident by the constant presence at Kensington Palace of his parents, a ramshackle and impoverished count and countess. . . ." (The Unruly Queen: n.p.)
Charles Hesse (1793-1832)
Lover in 1814.
Prussian officer.
Son of A Prussian merchant.
"Captain Hesse, a dashing young officer of the 18th Hussars, was the reputed son of the Duke of York by a German lady of rank. He served with Wellington's army in the Peninsula, and was wounded at Waterloo. His parentage naturally brought him into contact with Princess Charlotte, who fell in love with him when she was about sixteen. She wrote him some rather indiscreet letters, and, whilst he was in Spain, she sent him presents, which she experienced much difficulty in getting him to return. For some time after August 1814, whilst the Princess of Wales was living on the continent, he was in her Household, and her enemies alleged that she too had a fancy for him. He returned to England with her in 1820. In later years he had a liaison with the Queen of Naples, and this becoming too notorious, he was expelled . . . ." (The Letters of King Geore IV, Volumes 2-3: 321)
" . . . Charlotte even insinuated that Hesse was likely her mother's lover, as well. Captain Hesse had joined Princess Caroline as an equerry." (Her Parent's Pawn in English History Authors)
" . . . When Hesse was posted with his regiment to Bognor, in his vanity he sought to attract the attention of Princess Charlotte of Wales, only daughter of the Prince Regent, who was staying there. Several letters were exchanged between the couple through Margaret Mercer Elphinstone (later Countess de Flahaut), though General Garth also delivered some letters under the impression that they were from Charlotte's mother the Princess of Wale, who was estranged from the Regent. When the romance was discovered Hesse was sent out to Spain with his regiment." (Wikipedia)
" . . . Princess Charlotte told her father that her mother had left her alone with a cavalryman, Captain Charles Hesse, in Charlotte's own bedroom and locked them in, saying in French, 'I'm going now; enjoy yourselves.' Charlotte suspected that her mother wished to compromise her and promote Charlotte's illegitimate half-brother. The Prince Regent decided Charlotte should be married off as soon as possible but when the drunken Prince of Orange was suggested to her she fled in a hackney coach to her mother's house." (Jane Austen, Obstinate Heart: A Biography: 218)
"One of my most intimate friends was the late Captain Hesse, generally believed to be a son of the Duke of York, by a German lady of high rank. . . Hesse, in early youth, lived with the Duke and Duchess of York; he was treated in such a manner by them as to indicate an interest in him by their Royal Highnesses which could scarcely be attributed to ordinary regard, and was gazetted a cornet in the 18th Hussars at seventeen years of age. Shortly afterwards, he went to Spain, and was present in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged; receiving a severe wound in the wrist at the battle of Vittoria. When this became known in England, a royal lady wrote to Lord Wellington, requesting that he might be carefully attended to; and, at the same time, a watch, with her portrait was forwarded, which was delivered to the wounded Hussar by Lord Wellington himself. When he had sufficiently recovered, Hesse returned to England, and passed much of his time at Oatlands, the residence of the Duchess of York; he was also honoured with the confidence of the Princess Charlotte and her mother, Queen Caroline. Many delicate and important transactions were conducted through the medium of Captain Hesse; in fact, it was perfectly well known that he played a striking part in many scenes of domestic life which I do not wish to reveal. I may, however, observe that the Prince Regent sent the late Admiral Lord Keith to Hesse's lodgings, who demanded, in his Royal Highness's name, the restitution of the watch and letters which had been sent him when in Spain. After a considerable amount of hesitation, the Admiral obtained what he wanted the following day; whereupon Lord Keith assured him that the Prince Regent would never forget so great a mark of confidence, and that the heir to the throne would ever afterwards be his friend. I regret to say, from personal knowledge, that upon this occasion the Prince behaved most ungratefully and unfeelingly; for after having obtained all he wanted, he positively refused to receive Hesse at Carlton House." (Reminiscences of Captain Gronow: 217)
Captain Hesse's romantic career.
"Hesse's life was full of singular incidents. He was a great friend of the Queen of Naples, the grandmother of the ex-Sovereign of the Two Sicilies; in fact, so notorious was that liaison, that Hesse was eventually expelled from Naples under an escort of gendarmes. He was engaged in several affairs of honour, in which he always displayed the utmost courage; and his romantic career terminated by his being killed in a duel by Count Leon, natural son of the first Napoleon. He died as he had lived, beloved by his friends, and leaving behind him little but his name and the kind thoughts of those who survived him." (Reminiscences of Captain Gronow: 219)
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| Joachim Murat 19th c. @ Wikipedia |
King of Naples 1808-1815
Lover in 1815.
Lover in 1815.
"Finally, in August 1814, Caroline decided to leave England. In Geneva, at a ball given in her honour, she shocked her hosts by dancing naked to the waist. In Naples, she became the mistress of King Joachim, Napoleon's brother-in-law. When she left Naples -- at the time Napoleon escaped from Elba -- she had with her Napoleon's courtier, a coarsely handsome Italian named Bartolomeo Bergami, a former quartermaster in a regiment of hussars. This swarthy, bearded, intensely masculine character looked like a brigand from a Drury Lane play. He travelled with her to Munich, Tunis, Athens, Constantinople and Jerusalem, and when they settled in her villa near Pesaro they behaved as a man and wife." (Scandal)
"When Caroline arrived in Naples in 1814, Joachim Murat, King of Naples and Napoleon’s brother-in-law, met her outside the city and accompanied her to her residence. Additionally, he stationed a royal guard at her residence for protection and as sign of honour. They were so often seen driving around together in Murat’s carriage that they were believed to have an affair." (Regency Explorer)
"The Princess of Wales and her suite were at the frontier of the Kingdom of Naples by a guard of honour, and at Terracina King Joachim Murat himself appeared, resplendent in military uniform, with a corps of Neapolitan officers at his back to escort Caroline into the city. The elaborate reception afforded by Murat to the Princess was no more disinterested than had been the court paid to her at Milan. Murat hoped, somewhat naively, that his attentions to Caroline would be reflected in a favourable view of his claim to the Kingdom of Naples being taken by Castlereagh among other ministers at Vienna. He was dashing beyond description, so perhaps it was for propriety's sake that the Princess insisted on twelve-year-old Willy's presence in the gala carriage with herself and the King. A fearless cavalry officer, Murat looked impressive even seated. Like some figure from Versailles, he sported a long curling wig, black as Caroline's own. (She fancied that she resembled him) Without many brains inside his bewigged head, Murat was affable in conversation, courtly to ladies and possessed of a strong sense of self-preservation, if not of animal cunning. He was in appearance a character from opera buffa, a sort of pasteboard king -- just like the Bourbon Ferdinando IV before him. In consequence, always ready to indulge the Neapolitans' passion for display and festivities, he was immensely popular." (The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline)
"Caroline may or may not be aware that something was up. Either way, her inclination was to travel next to Naples, and into the company of Joachim Murat, hero of Marengo, Austerlitz and the Spanish campaign; veteran of the great retreat from Moscow; and husband of Napoleon's youngest sister, Caroline Bonaparte. . . For the Princess of Wales, the King of Naples was an impossibly exciting figure. . . Like Caroline, Murat was emotional and determined, but no intellectual." (The Trial of Queen Caroline: 59)
Bartolomeo Pergami.
Lover in 1814-1820.
Italian adventurer
"When Caroline arrived in Naples in 1814, Joachim Murat, King of Naples and Napoleon’s brother-in-law, met her outside the city and accompanied her to her residence. Additionally, he stationed a royal guard at her residence for protection and as sign of honour. They were so often seen driving around together in Murat’s carriage that they were believed to have an affair." (Regency Explorer)
"The Princess of Wales and her suite were at the frontier of the Kingdom of Naples by a guard of honour, and at Terracina King Joachim Murat himself appeared, resplendent in military uniform, with a corps of Neapolitan officers at his back to escort Caroline into the city. The elaborate reception afforded by Murat to the Princess was no more disinterested than had been the court paid to her at Milan. Murat hoped, somewhat naively, that his attentions to Caroline would be reflected in a favourable view of his claim to the Kingdom of Naples being taken by Castlereagh among other ministers at Vienna. He was dashing beyond description, so perhaps it was for propriety's sake that the Princess insisted on twelve-year-old Willy's presence in the gala carriage with herself and the King. A fearless cavalry officer, Murat looked impressive even seated. Like some figure from Versailles, he sported a long curling wig, black as Caroline's own. (She fancied that she resembled him) Without many brains inside his bewigged head, Murat was affable in conversation, courtly to ladies and possessed of a strong sense of self-preservation, if not of animal cunning. He was in appearance a character from opera buffa, a sort of pasteboard king -- just like the Bourbon Ferdinando IV before him. In consequence, always ready to indulge the Neapolitans' passion for display and festivities, he was immensely popular." (The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline)
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| Joachim Murat @ Maconnerie |
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| Bartolomeo Bergami |
Lover in 1814-1820.
Italian adventurer
Also known as:
Bartolo Bergami.
Bergami's physical appearance & personal traits.
"Pergami (or Bergami, as he was sometimes known) was a startlingly handsome man, well over six feet tall, with black curling hair, dark eyes and a splendid physique. . . ." (The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline)
"Pergami was a soldier, and had fought in the recent wars on the side of the French. He was six foot three with a fine masculine physique, a mass of curly black hair and a luxurious dangling moustache. In appearance he was not dissimilar to Joachim Murat, although at thirty he was far younger and sixteen years Caroline's junior. Unlike Murat, he had no huge reputation, but he was not without air of soldierly romance, and it was rumoured that he had once killed a senior officer in a duel. . . ." (The Trial of Queen Caroline: 62)
Pergami's physical appearance & personal qualities.
"Caroline moved on to Italy. . . Somewhere along the way, Caroline acquired an extraordinary companion. Bartolomeo Bergami had flashing eyes, curly black hair and an outsized moustache. He was an Italian adventurer of mysterious origins. Bergami became Caroline's secretary and, of course, her lover. The pair journeyed around the Mediterranean, ending up in the Middle East . . . Caroline and Bergami settled down to live together in Pesaro, Italy." (Dark History of the Kings and Queens of England)
First encounter.
"Before she left Milan, the Princess turned to Ghislieeri and his friend Pino for advice. She felt in need of a courtier who knew the country and the language and who could arrange lodgings and transport on her journey south. The candidate whom they ordered to present himself at the Palazzo Borromeo where she lodged by the Porta Ticinese was one Bartolomeo Pergami, aged thirty, who had served Pino in the Russian campaign. More recently , he had acted as the Contessa Calderara Pino's courier. . . According to Pergami's own account, he entered the Princess's lodgings to find nobody in attendance. Wandering through a suite of rooms in search of help, he found a lady struggling vainly to disentangle the skirt of her dress from a piece of furniture. Pergami courteously assisted her and discovered, if he had not guessed it, that this was his prospective employer. The Princess rewarded his gallantry by hiring him forthwith, and Pergami duly rode ahead of the royal entourage to secure a change of horse and lodgings for the party." (The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline)
" . . . According to one report he had first met Caroline in Milan, when he presented himself at her hotel. . . ." (The Trial of Queen Caroline :62)
"After a two-week visit to Brunswick, Caroline headed for Italy through Switzerland. Along the way, possibly in Milan, she hired Bartolomeo Pergami as servant. Pergami soon rose to the head of Caroline's household, and managed to get her sister, Angelica, Countess of Oldi, appointed as Caroline's lady-in-waiting. In mid-1815, Caroline bought a house, Villa d'Este, on the shores of Lake Como, despite the fact that her finances were stretched." (English Princesses:124)
Royal jet setters on Mediterranean cruises.
"From early 1816, she and Pergami went of a cruise around the Mediterranean, visiting Napoleon's former palace on Elba, and Sicily, where Pergami obtained the Order of Malta and a barony. By this time, Caroline and Pergami were eating their meals together openly, and it was widely rumoured that they were lovers. They visited Tunis, Malta, Milos, Athens, Corinth, Constantinople, and Nazareth. Caroline entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey in a convoy of camels. Pergami was made a Knight of the Order of Jerusalem. In August, they returned to Italy, stopping at Rome to visit the Pope." (English Princesses:124)
Affair's benefits to Bergami.
"In 1816, Caroline bought the Sicilian title ‘Baronia della Franchina’ and granted both the title and the lands to her chamberlain / alleged lover Pergami. He also received nine properties around Lake Como from her." (Regency Explorer)
"When Caroline moved to Italy, she employed Bartolomeo Pergami (1784-1842), a dark-haired and dark-eyed ex-soldier, as her chamberlain. He was 16 years her junior. They shared adjoined bedrooms and ate their meals together. Lord Byron, also travelling in Italy, was quick to inform his London publisher: ‘I know for sure they are lovers.’" (Regency Explorer)
References for Caroline of Ansbach.
A Queen of Indiscretion.
Jane Austen's World.
National Portrait Gallery
All Franchini .
Desire for Art .
Bergami's physical appearance & personal traits.
"Pergami (or Bergami, as he was sometimes known) was a startlingly handsome man, well over six feet tall, with black curling hair, dark eyes and a splendid physique. . . ." (The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline)
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| Bartolomeo Bergami |
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| Caroline & amp; Bergami |
"Caroline moved on to Italy. . . Somewhere along the way, Caroline acquired an extraordinary companion. Bartolomeo Bergami had flashing eyes, curly black hair and an outsized moustache. He was an Italian adventurer of mysterious origins. Bergami became Caroline's secretary and, of course, her lover. The pair journeyed around the Mediterranean, ending up in the Middle East . . . Caroline and Bergami settled down to live together in Pesaro, Italy." (Dark History of the Kings and Queens of England)
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| Bergami & amp; Caroline |
"Before she left Milan, the Princess turned to Ghislieeri and his friend Pino for advice. She felt in need of a courtier who knew the country and the language and who could arrange lodgings and transport on her journey south. The candidate whom they ordered to present himself at the Palazzo Borromeo where she lodged by the Porta Ticinese was one Bartolomeo Pergami, aged thirty, who had served Pino in the Russian campaign. More recently , he had acted as the Contessa Calderara Pino's courier. . . According to Pergami's own account, he entered the Princess's lodgings to find nobody in attendance. Wandering through a suite of rooms in search of help, he found a lady struggling vainly to disentangle the skirt of her dress from a piece of furniture. Pergami courteously assisted her and discovered, if he had not guessed it, that this was his prospective employer. The Princess rewarded his gallantry by hiring him forthwith, and Pergami duly rode ahead of the royal entourage to secure a change of horse and lodgings for the party." (The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline)
" . . . According to one report he had first met Caroline in Milan, when he presented himself at her hotel. . . ." (The Trial of Queen Caroline :62)
"After a two-week visit to Brunswick, Caroline headed for Italy through Switzerland. Along the way, possibly in Milan, she hired Bartolomeo Pergami as servant. Pergami soon rose to the head of Caroline's household, and managed to get her sister, Angelica, Countess of Oldi, appointed as Caroline's lady-in-waiting. In mid-1815, Caroline bought a house, Villa d'Este, on the shores of Lake Como, despite the fact that her finances were stretched." (English Princesses:124)
Royal jet setters on Mediterranean cruises.
"From early 1816, she and Pergami went of a cruise around the Mediterranean, visiting Napoleon's former palace on Elba, and Sicily, where Pergami obtained the Order of Malta and a barony. By this time, Caroline and Pergami were eating their meals together openly, and it was widely rumoured that they were lovers. They visited Tunis, Malta, Milos, Athens, Corinth, Constantinople, and Nazareth. Caroline entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey in a convoy of camels. Pergami was made a Knight of the Order of Jerusalem. In August, they returned to Italy, stopping at Rome to visit the Pope." (English Princesses:124)
Affair's benefits to Bergami.
"In 1816, Caroline bought the Sicilian title ‘Baronia della Franchina’ and granted both the title and the lands to her chamberlain / alleged lover Pergami. He also received nine properties around Lake Como from her." (Regency Explorer)
"When Caroline moved to Italy, she employed Bartolomeo Pergami (1784-1842), a dark-haired and dark-eyed ex-soldier, as her chamberlain. He was 16 years her junior. They shared adjoined bedrooms and ate their meals together. Lord Byron, also travelling in Italy, was quick to inform his London publisher: ‘I know for sure they are lovers.’" (Regency Explorer)
References for Caroline of Ansbach.
A Queen of Indiscretion.
Jane Austen's World.
National Portrait Gallery
All Franchini .
Desire for Art .
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