Empress of Austria Empress Elisabeth of Austria

the young elisabeth shortly after becoming austrian empress (by amanda bergstedt (sv), 1855)

after enjoying informal , unstructured childhood, elisabeth, shy , introverted nature, , more among stifling formality of habsburg court life, had difficulty adapting hofburg , rigid protocols , strict etiquette. within few weeks, elisabeth started display health problems: had fits of coughing , became anxious , frightened whenever had descend narrow steep staircase.

she surprised find pregnant , gave birth first child, daughter, archduchess sophie of austria (1855–1857), ten months after wedding. elder archduchess sophie, referred elisabeth silly young mother , not named child (after herself) without consulting mother, took complete charge of baby, refusing allow elisabeth breastfeed or otherwise care own child. when second daughter, archduchess gisela of austria (1856–1932), born year later, archduchess took baby away elisabeth well.

the fact had not produced male heir made elisabeth increasingly unwanted in palace. 1 day found pamphlet on desk following words underlined:

...the natural destiny of queen give heir throne. if queen fortunate provide state crown-prince should end of ambition – should no means meddle government of empire, care of not task women... if queen bears no sons, merely foreigner in state, , dangerous foreigner, too. can never hope looked on kindly here, , must expect sent whence came, seek win king other natural means; struggle position , power intrigue , sowing of discord, mischief of king, nation, , empire...

her mother-in-law considered source of malicious pamphlet. accusation of political meddling referred elisabeth s influence on husband regarding italian , hungarian subjects. when traveled italy him persuaded him show mercy toward political prisoners. in 1857 elisabeth visited hungary first time husband , 2 daughters, , left deep , lasting impression upon her, because in hungary found welcome respite constraints of austrian court life. first time elisabeth had met men of character in franz joseph s realm, , became acquainted aristocratic independence scorned hide sentiments behind courtly forms of speech... felt innermost soul reach out in sympathy proud, steadfast people of land... unlike archduchess, despised hungarians, elisabeth felt such affinity them began learn hungarian; country reciprocated in adoration of her.

this same trip proved tragic both of elisabeth s children became ill diarrhea. while gisela recovered quickly, two-year-old sophie grew steadily weaker, died. assumed today died of typhus. death pushed elisabeth, prone bouts of melancholy, periods of heavy depression, haunt rest of life. turned away living daughter, began neglecting her, , relationship never recovered.

in december 1857 elisabeth became pregnant third time in many years, , mother, had been concerned daughter s physical , mental health, hoped new pregnancy recover.