Pleasure and Ambition
The Life, Loves and Wars of Augustus the Strong
Published on 26. August 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
328 pages
978-1-350-18024-6 (ISBN)
Description
Augustus the Strong of Saxony's life was consumed by two addictions: the relentless pursuit of power and the no less relentless pursuit of pleasure. From his accession as Elector of Saxony in 1694 he pursued political power and glory by fighting the Ottoman Turks, purchasing the Polish throne and warring against Sweden. By seeking to attach parts of the Ottoman, Swedish and Habsburg domains to his Saxon realm Augustus' aim was eventually to supplant the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperors. But his hedonistic lifestyle continually distracted him and when finally defeated in 1707, he found himself back in Saxony fornicating and plotting revenge.
This biography, based on primary German sources, tells the story of his remarkable life.
This biography, based on primary German sources, tells the story of his remarkable life.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
458 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-18024-6 (9781350180246)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Tony Sharp was Lecturer in History at Southampton University, UK and has written extensively on early modern European history.
Content
Introduction
'A Prince of Great Hopes': Trials of a Second Son 1670-1694
1. 'Nothing other than a sword': A Portrait of Augustus 1670-91
2. 'This marriage will not end well': John George IV, Eleonore and 'the Family' 1692
3. 'To engage the Elector': England and Saxony 1692-93
4. 'Carrying my cloak on both shoulders': Stepney in Saxony 1693
5. 'So many extraordinary changes': Stepney in Saxony 1694
6. 'Je payeray la folie bien cher': The deaths of Billa and John George 1694
'A Restless Ambitious Spirit': His Electoral Highness 1694-1696
7. 'To the ruin of the house': Politics and poison 1694
8. 'So much to do': Personal affairs 1694
9. 'Setting his government upon the hinges': State affairs 1694
10. 'Upon another scent': Augustus and the command in Hungary 1695
11. 'At last got out of their nests': Preparing for Hungary 1695
12. 'Able to do nothing': Commander in Hungary 1695-96
'My Greatest Ambition is Glory': King's Ransom 1697-1702
13. 'Whoever bids most': Purchasing the Polish crown 1697
14. 'The intestine broils of the kingdom': At the court of King Augustus 1698-99
15. 'The chief promoters of this present war': Patkul, Tsar Peter and Augustus 1698
16. 'To make war on Sweden': Patkul, Augustus and Peter 1699-1700
17. 'But by the ruin of my foes': Charles XII strikes 1700-02
18. 'In a lucky minute': The origins of English intervention 1701-02
'A Long Train of Miseries': King on the Run 1703-1707
19. 'Wholly at a stand': The failure of mediation 1703
20. 'A scission is likely': Poles apart 1704
21. 'His crown is not worth any longer struggle': Stand-off 1705
22. 'His coming into Saxony': The shattered sanctuary 1706
23. 'To please the King of Sweden': Occupational hazards 1707
Appendix 1: 'Connaisance de ses forces': The 'memoirs' of Augustus (1705?)
Appendix 2: 'Famous alike for his virtues and his vices': Flemming's character sketch of King Augustus 1722
Notes
Index
'A Prince of Great Hopes': Trials of a Second Son 1670-1694
1. 'Nothing other than a sword': A Portrait of Augustus 1670-91
2. 'This marriage will not end well': John George IV, Eleonore and 'the Family' 1692
3. 'To engage the Elector': England and Saxony 1692-93
4. 'Carrying my cloak on both shoulders': Stepney in Saxony 1693
5. 'So many extraordinary changes': Stepney in Saxony 1694
6. 'Je payeray la folie bien cher': The deaths of Billa and John George 1694
'A Restless Ambitious Spirit': His Electoral Highness 1694-1696
7. 'To the ruin of the house': Politics and poison 1694
8. 'So much to do': Personal affairs 1694
9. 'Setting his government upon the hinges': State affairs 1694
10. 'Upon another scent': Augustus and the command in Hungary 1695
11. 'At last got out of their nests': Preparing for Hungary 1695
12. 'Able to do nothing': Commander in Hungary 1695-96
'My Greatest Ambition is Glory': King's Ransom 1697-1702
13. 'Whoever bids most': Purchasing the Polish crown 1697
14. 'The intestine broils of the kingdom': At the court of King Augustus 1698-99
15. 'The chief promoters of this present war': Patkul, Tsar Peter and Augustus 1698
16. 'To make war on Sweden': Patkul, Augustus and Peter 1699-1700
17. 'But by the ruin of my foes': Charles XII strikes 1700-02
18. 'In a lucky minute': The origins of English intervention 1701-02
'A Long Train of Miseries': King on the Run 1703-1707
19. 'Wholly at a stand': The failure of mediation 1703
20. 'A scission is likely': Poles apart 1704
21. 'His crown is not worth any longer struggle': Stand-off 1705
22. 'His coming into Saxony': The shattered sanctuary 1706
23. 'To please the King of Sweden': Occupational hazards 1707
Appendix 1: 'Connaisance de ses forces': The 'memoirs' of Augustus (1705?)
Appendix 2: 'Famous alike for his virtues and his vices': Flemming's character sketch of King Augustus 1722
Notes
Index