Magnificent Ornk Student of Trinity Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Just a footnote in current events, but maybe a milestone in history. Otto von Habsburg, quondam heir to the imperial-and-royal throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, has just died. He was born in 1912, and spent two years as Crown Prince after his long-reigning grandfather Franz Josef died in 1916. The assassination of Otto's great uncle Franz Ferdinand, who had stood ahead of Otto's father in the line of succession, was of course the famous trigger of the Great War. The Habsburg Empire dissolved at the war's end, the Habsburgs went into exile, and Otto inherited only a pretendership. He adapted to reality. He earned a doctoral degree, the modern European substitute for a noble title. He outspokenly opposed the Nazis, and spent WWII in America. Postwar, he campaigned for European unity, and played a small but arguably effective role in triggering the collapse of the Soviet bloc in 1989. He sat in the European Parliament for twenty years, representing a district in southern Germany. His wife died just a year or two ago, and they had a horde of grandchildren, so the Habsburg family is alive and well. But Otto only formally gave up his claims to his various thrones in 1961. He held out hope until then that Austria at least might have voted to restore him as a constitutional monarch. And from what I know of Austrians, I'm not sure why they didn't, because they mostly seem to love titles and tradition at least as much as the British, and as far as titles and tradition are concerned, the Habsburgs can give the Windsors a run for their money any day of the week. Maybe it will happen someday still. My point is, this passing is kind of the last western link with the Middle Ages. The Habsburgs were Holy Roman Emperors for some centuries, until Napoleon overran most of their Empire, and forced Franz II to declare himself Emperor of Austria instead (awkwardly becoming Franz II/I). It was really not so long ago that hereditary monarchs held real power in Europe. Bizarre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dantius Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Is it bad that I read the thread title as "Otto von Habsburg RP? And then subsequently thought "That would be sweet!"? Because I think that's probably a bad sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice ex post slarto Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 "The Habsburg Law of 1918 stated that Charles' descendants could only return to Austria if they renounced their royal claims and accepted the status of private citizens. The Austrian administrative court found on 24 May 1963 that Otto's statement was sufficient to meet this requirement. However, several elements in the country, particularly the Socialists, were ill-disposed to welcoming back the heir of the deposed dynasty. This touched off political infighting and civil unrest resulted that almost precipitated a crisis of state, and later became known as the "Habsburg Crisis." It was only on 1 June 1966 – after the People's Party won an outright majority in the national elections – that Otto was issued an Austrian passport, and was finally able to visit his home country again on 31 October 1966." Originally Posted By: Student of Trinity He earned a doctoral degree, the modern European substitute for a noble title. Feeling noble, I see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Triumph Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Fascinating. Thanks for sharing this. What a lifetime! So much change to have seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Student of Trinity Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Naw, I'm technically not even allowed to call myself Doktor here — at least not until I get a ruling from the state government, which I haven't gotten around to requesting. I could maybe go to jail for misrepresenting myself, or at least pay a fine or something. In Germany and I believe also in Austria, at least, it seems you just aren't anybody unless you have a doctorate. You'd have a hard time getting elected mayor of even a small city, for instance, without the title. Only four out of 16 current federal German cabinet members do not have a doctorate (and two of those four are lawyers). Partly this represents a traditional respect for education, of course. But partly it's just a love of titles, which can only now be requited with academic degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice ex post slarto Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Ah... so you're more of a king-in-exile. No wonder you sympathized with the late Habsburg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dintiradan Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 @Dantius: I'd totally want to play in a RP that had Cyborg Cromwell in it. (Instead of Roundheads, you'd have... Tinheads?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Originally Posted By: Student of Trinity But partly it's just a love of titles, which can only now be requited with academic degrees. Europe isn't the only place with a love of titles. Just ask Alorael or any other member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Callie Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I dunno, Chairman of the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness sounds like a fancy title in a way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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