Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis

Chapter one opens with the birth of Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna, the fifteenth child of Queen Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis of Austria. She was an undersized child, but soon began to flourish. She received a typical education for a royal daughter, educated in literature and music, although she did not prove to be an especially remarkable student.

Queen Maria Theresa was the ruler of the Austrian empire, the daughter of Charles VI. Erickson depicts her as a hard-working, intelligent and efficient ruler who had little time for direct parenting of her large family. She provided regular written instructions to the noblewomen charged with caring for her children and took a genuine interest in their upbringing, however. As the youngest daughter, the Archduchess Antonia, as she was known, was not notable among the large royal family.

In chapter two...