The Life of King Ludwig II of Bavaria
This CC image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle
The Events Leading Up to the Death of Ludwig II
Beginning in 1885, foreign banks threatened to confiscate Ludwig’s possessions due to the amount of debt he owed. Since Ludwig did not respond reasonably to these threats, he was examined by Dr. von Gudden and declared insane on June 7, 1886. The next day, four doctors reviewed von Gudden’s report and agreeing with his findings, allowed the government to release a statement declaring that Ludwig was unfit to rule. When this information reached Ludwig at Neuschwanstein, he was advised to escape across the Austrian boarder. Refusing to abandon his kingdom, Ludwig threatened to commit suicide. For this reason, guards were posted at every door and window of the palace. Ludwig was so astonished by the government’s decision that he asked Dr. Gudden, “Without examining me, how can you pronounce my state of health?” (Grosser Dixon). Gudden responding that it was obvious that Ludwig was ill and no examination was needed to prove his insanity. On June 12 at 4:00AM, Ludwig entered a carriage to go to Berg. With the door handles of the carriage removed on the inside, Ludwig was under constant supervision with no way to escape. When Ludwig arrived at Berg, he ate and then slept for several hours.
The Death of Ludwig II
This is the lake where Ludwig II died. This image was taken from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jikatu/6214106897
The following evening, Gudden and Ludwig went on a walk and said they would return by 8:00PM. Not returning to the castle when they said they would, two police officers were sent to look for them. Around 10:30PM Ludwig’s hat, coat, and umbrella were found on the shores of Lake Starnberg. Later the bodies of Ludwig and Gudden were found in shallow waters near the castle. The bodies were brought to Munich and buried in the crypt of St Michael's Church. To this day, there are numerous theories proposing the manner by which the king and his doctor died.
Though the cause of Ludwig’s death is unknown, there are two main theories about how he and Dr. Gudden died. The first theory states that Ludwig was furiously restless and committed suicide. This theory, however, does not provide an explanation for the death of Gudden. Hence most people support the second theory. This proposal suggests that government officials arranged for the killing of Ludwig to avoid future problems from the king. It is believed that two assassins were hired, hid in a boat house by the lake and shot Ludwig and the only witness, Dr. Guddnen. (Neumann)Despite not having definite proof of how the two men died, most people accept one of the two above theories. Maybe Ludwig was getting what he wanted because he had previously stated, “I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others.”(King Ludwig II of Bavaria).
Conclusion
Ludwig II of Bavaria left behind an incredible legacy. Though he did not excel in political and social affairs, he was loved by the Bavarian people. A man that was not very interested in finding a significant other, Ludwig enjoyed isolation. His love of solitude gave him plenty of time to focus on arts and architecture. His passions influenced the construction of some of the most breathtaking castles in Germany. Visiting Nenschwanstein a couple years ago, I can attest to the brilliance of Ludwig II’s castles. The castle’s rooms were truly superb. He incorporated his love of theater in his castle by decorating a hallway according to a scene from one of Wagner’s operas. In conclusion, King Ludwig II of Bavaria was a remarkable king that deserves to be celebrated throughout the ages for providing the Western World with some of its most awe-inspiring sights.
