Melinda and I have wondered since being here, if Frau Greneville's lineage is of nobility. No, really, we have. One of the teachers at the American Institute said once that families with a last name made of two hyphenated names came from the Austrian or Hungarian nobility. Our host's full last name is Folliot-Greneville.
Yesterday she told us about some of her ancestors. Apparently there is a Family History archive in Vienna. Her great-great-grandmother was a close friend of Maria Louis, who was Napoleon's second wife. They kept a close correspondence throughout Maria's life, including her marriage to Napoleon and her life afterward. Frau Greneville was able to read through her Great-great-grandmother's letters (written in French) at the Family History archive. She told us about the things that Maria Louis wrote in her letters. She didn't want to marry Napoleon but knew that it was necessary. She found herself in a hard position after her marriage because she couldn't speak or meet with her father, since he was then an enemy against France. And as her son grew up away from her in the Austrian court, she often wrote about how much she wanted to see him. She would make plans to visit him in Vienna but they were always foiled.
I find it so interesting to see someone's family history so interconnected with famous events in European history. Its amazing.
Two other girls in our group are staying with nobility. Cara is staying with a Baroness. Julia is staying with a Countess, who gives parties nearly everyday or is off visiting one of her children at their various castles and mansions. She is part of the Hungarian nobility. Her first husband, who she divorce, was a direct descendant of the Emperor Franz-Josef. Thus all of her children are Princes and Princesses. The Countess' (who likes to be called Tante Hanna--Aunt Hannah) apartment is not opulent, if you overlook the crystal chandeliers in every single room. The style is elegant and refined. And everyone still has to share one bathroom--even the maid Eva. Eva is an elderly Hungarian woman. She is small and hunched over but is a sweet lady. She's very caring and takes good care of the Countess' guests ( like the students staying there).
I find it so interesting to see someone's family history so interconnected with famous events in European history. Its amazing.
Two other girls in our group are staying with nobility. Cara is staying with a Baroness. Julia is staying with a Countess, who gives parties nearly everyday or is off visiting one of her children at their various castles and mansions. She is part of the Hungarian nobility. Her first husband, who she divorce, was a direct descendant of the Emperor Franz-Josef. Thus all of her children are Princes and Princesses. The Countess' (who likes to be called Tante Hanna--Aunt Hannah) apartment is not opulent, if you overlook the crystal chandeliers in every single room. The style is elegant and refined. And everyone still has to share one bathroom--even the maid Eva. Eva is an elderly Hungarian woman. She is small and hunched over but is a sweet lady. She's very caring and takes good care of the Countess' guests ( like the students staying there).