Synopses & Reviews
Stirring events from the fourteenth century are brought resplendently to life here, as Helene Kottanner, chamber-maid to Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, tells in her own words how she stole the Holy Crown of St Stephen from the royal stronghold; the story, also provides rare glimpses into the inner world of a late-medieval woman.
Synopsis
Helene Kottanner was a confidante of the widowed Elizabeth of Hungary (1409-1442) and played a pivotal role in the theft of the holy crown of St Stephen from the treasury at Visegrad on 20 February 1440. Her account tells how the crown was smuggled out of the stronghold in a pillow and rushed on a sled to the Queen who, hours later, gave birth to a baby boy who was crowned king three months later. With a text (translated), introduction, essay and bibliography.
Synopsis
Helene Kottanner was servant and confidante of the widowed Queen Elizabeth of Hungary (1409-1442). This is her first-person account of the part she played in the theft of the holy crown of St Stephen from the treasury of the royalstronghold Visegrad on 20 February, 1440, when the crown was smuggled out of the stronghold hidden in a pillow. It was immediately rushed on a sled to the queen, who within hours of its arrival at her castle in Komorn was delivered of a baby boy, Ladislaus Posthumous (1440-1457), who was crowned king of Hungary three months later. Helene Kottanner's account is unconsciously revealing about herself and her ambitions, allowing a rare glimpse into the innerworld of a late-medieval woman.
Synopsis
Eye-witness account of the theft of the crown of St Stephen in 15c Hungary.
Helene Kottanner was servant and confidante of the widowed Queen Elizabeth of Hungary (1409-1442). This is her first-person account of the part she played in the theft of the holy crown of St Stephen from the treasury of the royalstronghold Visegrad on 20 February, 1440, when the crown was smuggled out of the stronghold hidden in a pillow. It was immediately rushed on a sled to the queen, who within hours of its arrival at her castle in Komorn was delivered of a baby boy, Ladislaus Posthumous (1440-1457), who was crowned king of Hungary three months later. Helene Kottanner's account is unconsciously revealing about herself and her ambitions, allowing a rare glimpse into the innerworld of a late-medieval woman.