The War of Franconian Succession, Part 1

 Background. The Prussian incursion and subsequent seizure of the Austro-Hungarian province of Silesia had far greater repercussions than the simple (albeit sanguine and under duress) transfer of ownership. For although the Empress Maria-Therese retained her crown and Frederick gained a long coveted province, other forces and ancient enmities had been stirred.

Notable among these was the Elector of Bavaria's long-held claim to Middle Franconia, and ultimately all of Franconia and Swabia. But he was not the only one seeking to expand his domains. 

Alleged portrait of Ernst Gustav III, artist unknown, circa 1750.
He is wearing the Sash and Order of St. Albrecht of  Nurnburg.
The importance and role of this Order has been lost to history. 

Though the Duke of Franconia, Ernst Gustav III, had never been considered one of the Great Electors, he still retained his ancient right to a vote when it came to choosing the next Holy Roman Emperor/Empress. He did what he was told, usually backing the latest Hapsburg, but of late thinking maybe he deserved more. He just needed a way to make that happen. Unfortunately, he had just received a disturbing report from his Imperial Envoy, the wily, not really to be trusted, Baron Dropov, a Russian ex-pat in his employ. Exiled from his homeland for certain peccadillos, he had bounced from court to court, finally landing in Franconia. 

It would seem that when Dropov presented the Duke's official letter of support and congratulations to the  recently crowned Empress-Queen, a servant, at that precise moment made an inquiry to the Empress who responded almost immediately with the epithet, "That little toad...!" The rest of her comment was omitted. Dropov responded with a retort that while grammatically correct was less than diplomatic. The Empress was not amused.

Now, the Duke was getting up in years and it would soon be imperative for him to name his successor to the old, but not particularly ancient, throne of Franconia. This presented some interesting problems. He had two sons, Ernst Gustav and Karl Ernst (certain naming traditions had to be followed). The older son Ernst was a notorious cad, rake, and wastrel. This overall deadbeat also owed money to most of the petty nobles and houses in Franconia, amounting to about two-thirds of the duchy's income in a good year.  His second son was equally unsuitable, being a celibate monk of an obscure order. He was also considered "a ninny." 

Other claimants would present themselves, each a noble of greater or lesser stature. All had good claims, and unlike the reigning Duke, were still in the good graces of the Empress. With so many cousins, how else could this be settled -- except by war! Until next time...

Ernst Gustav IV, heir to the Franconian ducal throne.
Artist unknown (note on back "...pay up...")