Crowns in Conflict

Mehr zum Buch

The years leading up to the First World War marked the last grand era of European monarchy. Although sovereigns no longer ruled by divine right, their status and influence remained largely intact. These crowned figures were viewed as mystical and divinely guided, forming a royal clan that was believed to uphold European peace. However, World War I dismantled this illusion. Kings fought against kings, and cousins became enemies. Twelve prominent monarchs were embroiled in the conflict, including Kaiser Wilhelm II and lesser-known rulers like Nicholas of Montenegro and Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary. Ultimately, the supposed kinship among these royal families proved meaningless in the face of war. This period exposed the monarchs' powerlessness and impotence. The narrative unfolds through the lens of these embattled monarchs, chronicling eight pivotal years that witnessed the decline of their world and the broader dynastic order in Europe. It captures the brilliant sunset and the dramatic dissolution of the age of kings, revealing the profound impact of the war on the institution of monarchy itself.