Circa 1800 a "notable person" said something to the effect that: "...every crowned head in Europe is to some degree mad." Is this even roughly true? And if so, who said this and what was the precise year?

star_gazer

There is truth to this statement due the interbreeding that occured in so many royal families. Jan 24 07, 2:32 PM

griffinj

Yes, star_gazer, I believe that is at least partly the point of the quote. What I am looking for are specifics. Thanks. Jan 24 07, 5:03 PM

lanfranco

I have not been able to locate this quotation or who said it. "Something to the effect" doesn't help. Griffinj, do you know who the "notable person" was? If so, we might benefit from a little clue. However, if it was said around 1800, then it's not unlikely that the speaker was referring to George III. That might help interested persons narrow down the possibilities. Jan 24 07, 5:48 PM

griffinj

I wish I had , Lanfranco, It was briefly mentioned in a V documentary on Napoleon and what led to his conquests. My friend who heard it rather thinks it was someone like Tallyrand, but this is only a vague maybe. I assume this included along with George, MariaI of Portugal, Gustav IV of Sweden, and Christian VII of Denmark. Were enough of the rulers of Europe on the eve of Napoleon far enough "off the beam" to justify this statement? Jan 24 07, 6:17 PM

griffinj

"TV documentary" Jan 24 07, 6:19 PM

Arpeggionist

It could have been another of Ludwig van Beethoven's quips at the expense of the monarchy, in which case he might have said it as early as 1797. Jan 25 07, 5:27 AM