This week: Oktoberfest Edited by: StephBee  
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Chicago is sort of an October city, even in Spring.” – Nelson Algren
It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Happy Birthday to WDC! I hope you all enjoy all the birthday fun here on the site! Here in the US, the month starts off with the Labor Day holiday and the Autumn equinox occurs 23 SEP 23. September is a small month, but there’s a lot packed into it! When I think of September, I think of the beginning of the fall when the temperatures start to get cooler, and toward the end of the month, the leaves start to quietly change colors.
September is a month that reminds me of pumpkins and squashes, the harvest, corn mazes, gothic romances, and witches’ brew. In Germany, September is also known for Oktoberfest. This year, the fest starts 16 SEP and ends 3 OCT. The most famous Oktoberfest is held in Munich, but you can find an Oktoberfest festival just about anywhere. It’s a time celebrate friends, fun, and beer, right? Well, you’d be surprised that Oktoberfest has some “semi-romantic arraigned marriage” roots, so I thought I’d share them with you today.
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An Arraigned Marriage – But HE gets to pick!
Crown Prince Ludwig Karl August von Pfalz-Birkenfeld-Zweibrücken (wow, that’s a mouthful!) was born in Strasbourg in August, 1786. He had a birthmark on his forehead that he strived to conceal – especially for portraits. He was a tall, scruffy guy, with wavy brown hair who studied hard and could speak several different languages. He fought in a couple of wars. At 24, he got married. I suspect his father told him it was time for him to get a bride, and settle down because he’ll be king soon enough. So, Ludwig went bride hunting.
Therese Charlotte Luise of Saxony-Hildburghausen (another mouthful!) was born somewhere in northern Germany, in 1792, the daughter of a German Grand Duke. She’s average height, average, weight, with brown eyes and straight brown hair. Was it a love match? Probably not, but I suspect they were friends.
When it came time to go bride hunting Ludwig went to visit Therese and her sister and was given a choice. Pick one. He picked Therese, writing her: “I’ll be happy with you my dear, dear, Therese.”
Ah, but the future marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria was a big, big thing. No expense was spared. The lucky day was picked: 12 October 1810. The wedding was held on the field of the city gates which were named Theresienwiese (Theresa’s meadows). All of Munich showed up to see their handsome scruffy prince get married. The celebration was so big, it took 5 days. There was food, beer, (not as much beer as you think) fun, horse races, and dancing. It was such a hit, the good citizens of Munich said you gotta do this again – and again – and again. Soon, Oktoberfest became a yearly tradition.
Therese went on to have 9 children. She was well liked in Munich by the citizens. Unfortunately, Ludwig was a hot mess. He didn’t know how good he had it. It was one affair after another. How did he put it – “Therese is distinguished by her heart. I would not wish for a better woman, but I married without passion.” Therese put up with his affairs as women typically did back in those days. Heck, she had nine kids.
Arraigned marriages were common back in the day. Another arraigned marriage was George II and Caroline of Ansbach. George II’s father was stuck in a loveless marriage so he wanted George II to go about the German countryside and pick a woman – preferably a love match. So George did just that. He trolled the German countryside in DISGUISE and came upon small Ansbach. Caroline was a stunner. George was in love! But Caroline? He won her over, but not by his looks. Oh, he was handsome enough, but it was his kindness that made her fall in love with him.
QUESTION FOR YOU: What do you  about Oktoberfest?
SUBMIT!!  PROMPT #1 Please submit a story about an arraigned marriage where the couple falls in love. Not only will I read it, I’ll give it an awardicon.
PROMPT #2 – Submit an essay about Oktoberfest and what it means to you. I’ll read it, review it & give it an Awardicon.
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This item number is not valid.
#674657 by Not Available. |
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This is a Lilibonelle poem. A married couple's passion is roses in life and death.
#770131 by 👼intuey  |
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StephBee is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her story, "Young Witchcraft" takes place during the fall months. Can a little Young Witchcraft bring Joey and Rachel together or will it keep them apart? Now avail on Amazon as an Ebook for 99 cents. |
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Romance/Love: September 06, 2023 Issue [#12157]
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