Monday, April 30, 2012

Trivia Monday!

I do enjoy our Trivia Mondays, and I hope you do too. Last week I asked "What Enlightenment Monarch has been portrayed by both Danny Huston and Jeffrey Jones, though in very different ways; and apparently requested upon his death that his epitaph should read 'Here lies _, who failed in all he undertook.'?"

Cassidy correctly answered "I'm thinking Marie Antoinette's brother, Emperor Joseph II? I know Jeffrey Jones played him in Amadeus." Yes, Cassidy, Joseph II is correct. It's sad to think that the real Joseph died believing himself to be a failure, when today he is considered one of the monarchs who best embodied the Enlightenment ideal. It's a good lesson in not being too hard on yourself.

I have an extra hard trivia question for you all this week. Are you ready?

One of the Great Officers of the Crown of France died in 1782, leaving a vacancy for his position that was never filled. What was the office called? Extra credit for you if you can also name the decedent.

4 comments:

  1. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Emmanuel-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis de Richelieu, duc d'Aiguillon? However, wikipedia says he was succeeded by someone, but it appears there are numerous kinds of Sec of state.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do see a relative of yours Countess, was a grand chamberlaine around this time. Godefroy de La Tour d'Auvergne but the decedents date does not match. I eagerly await the answer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both good guesses, but the position of which I am thinking remained vacant. Cousin Godfrey's return to the role of Grand Chamberlain will happen in 1782, but his successor/predecessor will, somewhat unfortunately, still be alive.

      Delete
  3. I wait with bated breath until Monday. I don't have time to look again as we leave for CA tomorrow morning.

    ReplyDelete

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