Eleonore of Liechtenstein
Maria Eleonore of Liechtenstein ( née von Oettingen- Spielberg ) (* July 7, 1745 in Oettingen, † November 26, 1812 ) played as salonière a significant role in the aristocratic society of Vienna and also had considerable political influence.
Life
She was the daughter of Count Alois later Prince Hans von Oettingen - Oettingen and Oettingen- Spielberg and Princess Therese von Schleswig -Holstein - way castle. Her mother died in childbirth. Her sister was Leopoldine, who later married Ernst von Kaunitz - Rietberg.
Already in 1749 Eleanor was handed over to a monastery in Strasbourg for education. After the death of her aunt Mary Eleanor, Duchess of Guastalla, Eleonore inherited their estates in Moravia. This has become wealthy, it was introduced by her father at the court of Maria Theresa and subsequently appointed as her sister to a chamber lady. Close relations had both to the daughters of Maria Theresa.
Eleanor married in 1763 Karl von Liechtenstein in Vienna's Hofburg. Together with her husband they had seven children and became the founder of the Carlist line between the House of Liechtenstein.
Since the time of Joseph II Eleanor and her sister played an important role in Viennese society. There, in 1768, a circle of five royal ladies had formed, which were dominant in the noble society for over two decades. The group met once a week at the time of Emperor Joseph II, up to four times a week convivial ambiance. Had access except the princesses only the Emperor, Marshal Lascy and the Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Rosenberg.
The emperor tried to start a love affair, but this was not quite reciprocated by her and was completed no later than 1772 with Eleanor. Their relationship was henceforth not free of tensions. It also political reservations about the reform policies of Joseph played a significant role. She stood as a traditional Catholic in particular the politics of education in religious matters opposed to.
After the emperor's death the Prince inner circle lost its importance. But Eleanor has further influenced the policy. In the time of the Congress of Rastatt 1797-1799 she stood in opposition to the foreign policy of Minister Johann Amadeus Francis of Thugut who wanted to hold on in spite of the French Revolution to the pro-French and Prussian contra attitude. In the apparently not so exclusive circle of Princess Klemens Wenzel Lothar von Metternich time was taken up in this, who was related by his wife Marie- Eleonore von Kaunitz - Rietberg with Eleonore. In terms of foreign policy both agreed. After the fall of Thugut it was probably Eleonore, the Metternich gave the post of ambassador in Saxony. Later, she has rejected the Metternich with powered Marriage of Marie Louise of Österereich with Napoleon.
With her sister she has life changed letters, now give an insight into life at the Viennese court and the society at that time. The historian Adam Wolf has supported after the death of the princess on the exchange of letters, a biography of Eleanor written.