#margaretha is actually a german name

[minnesotadruids]

Trigger Warning: Accounts of Death of Over 200 People. 

This post marks 100 years since the end of November of 1919: when my ancestors, their families, friends, and many members of their community were brutally massacred by Nestor Machno and his band of anarchists in Ukraine.

IF you idolize Nestor Machno or promote actual anarchy, then this post is evidence of your errant ideological legacy, so get the hell off my blog.

A meticulous written record was made of the death tolls on what was called Schreckenstage ("Terror-Days" in German) by my Mennonite ancestors in the Zagradovka Colony. The lists of those killed by Nestor Makhno and his bloodthirsty militia are grouped by village. In some cases, the manner in which they were slain was also documented. Some names may appear to be duplicates, but each listing is a different person. It was very common for sons to be named after their father or close relatives. The gene pool among Mennonites also tends to be smaller, and many of them had very common names.

At least three dozen missing were never found, most of which were from Münsterberg. That village had a population of about 100. Of those hundred, only one woman and one other family survived by hiding inside chimneys. The village was almost entirely burned, and many remains could not be recovered or identified. Today, the outlines of building foundations at what was once Münsterberg can still be seen in Google Earth or other mapping programs at coordinates  47°32'0.64"N  33°16'10.15"E ...now the ruins serve as gravestones to the missing. Of the more than 230 victims of the Terror-Days, below is the list of casualties they were able to identify.

The Death Tolls

November 29, 1919, Gnadenfeld:

Gerhard Schellenberg Sr – shot

Peter Wiebe Sr – shot

David Koehn – shot and burned

Abram Isaak – shot

Johann Wiebe – shot

Peter J. Koop – murdered in a Ukrainian village

Abram Warkentin – murdered in a Ukrainian village

Johann Kliewer – shot

Johann Klassen – shot

Gerhard Wiebe – chopped to pieces

Johann Doerksen – chopped to pieces

unknown non-Mennonite – chopped, shot, and burned November 29, 1919, Reinfeld:

Herman Bahnmann – slaughtered

Heinrich Epp – shot and burned

his wife Elizabeth – shot and burned

their infant daughter Liese – shot and burned

their daughter Katharina – shot and burned

Aaron Epp – chopped to pieces

Kornelius Warkentin – chopped and burned on a haystack

Heinrich Koop – chopped and shot

Peter Funk – shot

Abram Funk – shot

Johann Klassen – shot and chopped on the oven bench

Mrs. Klassen – chopped

Peter Boschmann – shot

Gerhard Boschmann – burned

Peter Bahnmann – chopped, shot, and burned

Mrs. Jakob Reimer – shot November 29, 1919, Orloff:

Heinrich Wiens (age 62) – shot

Rev. Peter Martens – shot

Wilhelm Peter Martens – chopped

Abram Walde – chopped, died slowly

Kornelius Nickel – shot

Peter Isaak – chopped and shot

Isbrand Friesen (visiting from Schoenau) shot and burned

Jakob H. Wiens – shot

Jakob Klassen – shot through the head

Nikolai Harder – chopped to pieces

Johann Lammert – chopped to pieces

Jakob Koehn of Altonau – shot

Peter Koehn of Altonau – shot

Diedrich Neufeld Sr – shot

Johann D. Neufeld – chopped and shot

Heinrich Wiebe Sr (age 73) chopped and stabbed in bed

Jakob H. Wiebe – chopped and shot

Jakob J. Wiebe Jr – shot

Jakob Adrian Sr – shot

Abram Walde (age 75) – shot

Wilhelm Fr. Martens – shot through the heart

Gerhard Wall (age 77) – shot while sitting in a chair

Johann Peters – shot and burned

Heinrich Wall – shot and burned

Peter Wiebe – chopped to pieces in bed

Mrs. Peter Wiebe – chopped to pieces in bed

Heinrich Neufeld (teacher) – shot in schoolroom

Johann Toews (teacher) – shot in schoolroom

August Penner – chopped

Heinrich D. Jager of Tiege (young student) – chopped

Wilhelm Peters – slaughtered with a saber

Liese Lammert – chopped to pieces

Jakob W. Penner (sick with typhoid fever) – chopped in bed

Johann Heinrichs – shot

Wilhelm Penner – chopped

David Block – chopped

Johann Siemens – shot

Kornelius Willms of Tiege – perished from wounds

Maria Reimer – chopped

Heinrich P. Siemens – shot and burned

Rev. Jakob T. Friesen – decapitated

Jakob Heinrich Duerksen of Neu-Halbstadt (young student) – chopped

Johann W. Martens (age 73) – hands torn apart by mushrooming bullet, died 6 days later

Peter Klassen – sword wounds to head, died slowly

Gerhard G. Bargen of Alexanderfeld (student) – chopped 21 times, suffered long before death November 29, 1919, Tiege:

Johann Giesbrecht Sr – shot

Gerhard Schroeter – chopped

Peter Buller – chopped

Rev. Wilhelm Duekmann – chopped and shot

Jakob Braun – chopped, stabbed, and shot

Franz F. Klassen (teacher) – shot

Heinrich Isaak – shot

Heinrich de Fehr of Altonau – shot

Abram P. Dyck – chopped and burned

Olga – servant of apothecary A. Gauderer – shot

Heinrich Friesen – shot

Isaak Tschetter (a miller) – shot

Isaac de Jager – shot

Johann Krause – chopped and shot

Peter Lammert – chopped and shot

Johann J. Martens – shot

Heinrich A. Fast – shot November 29, 1919, Münsterberg:

Abraham Reimer – chopped and burned

his wife, Emilie Reimer – died from a heart attack

their son Gerhard – chopped with a saber

their son Willie – chopped with a saber

their daughter Emilie – chopped with a saber

Johann Friesen – chopped and shot

Jakob Duekmann – chopped and shot

his wife, Maria Duekmann – chopped and shot

their son, Jacob – chopped and shot

their daughter Maria – chopped and shot

their son Peter – chopped and shot

Peter P. Goossen – chopped and burned

his wife, Maria Goossen – chopped and burned

Rev. Abraham Regehr – chopped and burned

his wife, Helene Regehr – chopped and burned

Johann A. Regehr – chopped and burned

his wife, Helene Regehr – chopped and burned

their infant daughter Lena (14 days old) burned alive in her cradle

Sarah A. Warkentin of Friedensfeld – chopped

Wilhelm Jakob Martens – chopped and burned

his son Jakob – chopped and burned

his son Kornelius – chopped and burned

his son Heinrich – chopped and burned

his daughter Mariechen – chopped and burned

his daughter Sarah – chopped, suffered for many days before dying

Heinrich P. Thiessen – chopped and burned

his wife, Maria Thiessen – chopped and burned

all their children, Helene – chopped and burned

Heinrich – chopped and burned

Anna – chopped and burned

Peter – chopped and burned

Aaron – chopped and burned

Maria – chopped and burned

Maria Martens nee Peters – chopped and burned

her son Willie – chopped and burned

her son Johann – chopped and burned

her daughter Anna – chopped and burned

her daughter Helene – chopped and burned

her son Jakob – chopped and burned

her daughter Mariechen – chopped and burned

Johann Wiebe – chopped and burned

his wife, Katharina Wiebe – chopped and burned

their daughter Helene – chopped and burned

Jakob A. Regehr – chopped and burned

his wife, Maria Regehr nee Toews – chopped and burned

their son Abraham – chopped and burned

their daughter Liese – chopped and burned

their daughter Lenchen – chopped and burned

their son Jakob – chopped and burned

their daughter Margaretha – chopped and burned

their daughter Tinchen – chopped and burned

Bernhard Langermann – chopped and burned

his wife, Maria nee Reimer – chopped and burned

their son Johann – chopped and burned

their son Gerhard – chopped and burned

their daughter Elisabeth – chopped and burned

their daughter Anna – chopped and burned

Daniel P. Goossen – chopped and burned

his wife, Maria – chopped and burned

Heinrich Ott – chopped and burned

his wife Anna Ott – escaped to Shestirnya, but then slain and eaten by dogs & pigs

Katharina Wolf – escaped to Shestirnya, but then slain and eaten by dogs & pigs

Heinrich Wolf – chopped in Shestirnya

Johann Wiebe – chopped and burned

Gerhard Bergen – chopped and burned

his wife, Anna – chopped and burned

Heinrich Enns – chopped and burned

Rev. Jakob J. Wiens – chopped and burned

Peter Johann Wiebe – chopped and burned

Peter Goossen Sr – chopped and burned

Katharina Klippenstein nee Goossen – chopped and burned

Helene Klippenstein – chopped and burned

Gerhard Reimer Sr – chopped and burned

his wife – chopped and burned

their daughter Katharina – chopped in the street

Gerhard Friesen (an infant) – burned alive in the cradle

Gerhard Goossen – chopped and burned

Peter P. Goossen Jr – chopped

Grandmother widow Giesbrecht – chopped and burned

Bernhard Giesbrecht – chopped and burned

his wife– chopped and burned

their son Bernhard – chopped and burned

their daughter Elisabeth – chopped and burned

their daughter Anna – chopped and burned

widow Huebert – chopped in a Ukrainian village

Abram A. Friesen – chopped in a Ukrainian village

Friedrich Wunsch – chopped in Shestirnya and eaten by dogs

David Nickel – chopped and burned

Johann Nickel – chopped and burned

Heinrich Nickel – chopped and burned

Johann D. Martens (teacher) – chopped and burned

Klaas Enns – chopped and burned

Katharina D. Friesen (infant) – killed while suckling (mother survived her wounds)

Heinrich Buegler – chopped

widow Klippenstein – died of a heart attack

Abraham Schwarz – chopped

Kornelius Klippenstein – missing without a trace December 1, 1919, Schönau:

Jakob Neufeld

Johann Pauls

Rev. Martin Hamm – chopped and shot

Jakob Unruh Sr

Mrs. Unruh

Jakob Nickel Sr

Johann Wiebe – abused and shot

Jakob Wiebe – abused and shot

Franz of Riesen

Abraham Franz

Franz Nickel

Abram Quiring – shot a few days later on the street February, 1920, Neu-Schönsee:

Jakob D. Janzen – shot in a surprise night attack August, 1922, Blumenort:

Franz Kroeker – slain on his way to town

Abram Wiebe – beaten, choked to death with reins

Johann Goertzen – beaten, choked to death with reins

his son – beaten, choked to death with reins Vanished Without A Trace: 

Peter B. Dyck – Tiege

Martin Schierling – Rosenort

Franz F. Adrian – Altonau

Peter J. Koop – Altonau

Dietrich B. Koop – Altonau

Daniel J. Janzen – Neu-Schönsee

Johann J. Doerksen – Friedensfeld

Johann J. Klassen – Blumenort

Heinrich Kasdorf – Gnadenfeld

Peter P. Isaak – Rosenort

Peter J. Friesen – Orloff

Heinrich August Penner – Orloff

David J. Penner – Schönau

Top photo caption in English: Mass grave in Orloff. Holding 58 bodies. From the book Sagradowka by Gerhard Lohrenz, 1947.

Orloff is one of the few villages in the Zagradovka Colony that still has the same name today, though the Ukrainians adjusted the spelling to "Orlove." Zagradovka is now "Zahradivka" and lies just 4.5 miles northeast of Orlove. I wonder if the Ukrainian citizens today are aware of their local history, or the events that took place there a century ago.

Each year this is a solemn time for my family. My great grandmother was 11 years old when this happened. Her grandparents and extended family are listed among the dead. About a dozen other surnames mentioned are in my family tree. By spreading awareness of this senseless barbarity I strive to both prevent this from happening again, while honoring the memory of my ancestors.

See Also: My entry last year: a journal entry of one of my relatives that tells what happened in gruesome detail. [Link here]

#ancestors #ancestor veneration #ancestor worship #mennonites #ukraine #nestor machno #anarchism #mass casualty event #massacre #trigger warning #mass grave #murder #infanticide #genocide #terrorism #civil unrest #memorial

[cinema-tv-etc]

‘Mata Hari: The Naked Spy’ Review

By Aaron Cantú  - February 6, 2018

The Naked Spy shines a light on Mata Hari, a name most of us know but a figure about whom many are clueless: a famous Parisian performer presenting as a Malaysian dancer at the start of the 20th century, later executed by France for treason. Mata Hari was actually a Dutch woman named Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, and the documentary's narrators—mostly academic experts in European cultural history—track her story as she leaves her abusive husband as a young woman in order to create a life of scandal, glamor and intrigue in Paris.

Zelle is referred to by her stage name throughout the film, but there's little attention given to the early development of the character. We're informed by the narrators that she was first inspired to dance during a stay in Indonesia, where her then-husband, a soldier, was briefly stationed, and where she encountered the ritualistic dances of Indigenous women on the islands. She took those moves and created her own sexy, proto-burlesque act that eventually catapulted her to the top of French society.

Zelle's shtick was what we would now call a successful case of cultural appropriation—which, in one of its most problematic forms, found performers of European descent (like Zelle) taking the cultural customs of colonized and oppressed people and spinning them into fame and fortune. This documentary treats Zelle's appropriation of Javanese culture as the eccentric quirkiness of a genius, hardly scratching the surface of the power dynamics at play. Further, it celebrates Zelle's promiscuity, but doesn't unpack how her sexualization is tied up in the exotification of non-European women.

Once World War I breaks out, Zelle entangles herself into a web of espionage, agreeing to spy on France for the Germans—then agreeing to spy on the Germans for France, a double-cross that led to her eventual execution at the hands of the French.

The Naked Spy is ultimately about a world that grows complicated and perilous enough to swallow somebody once regarded as larger-than-life; but, in a film set to the backdrop of imperialist war, it does a poor job tracing the broader power dynamics of the era. As an archival project, it succeeds. Pity, then, that it is an overall shallow look at a problematic icon.

Mata Hari: The Naked Spy Directed by Machiel Amorison and Susan Wolf CCA, NR, 78 min.

#Mata Hari

[searchingwardrobes]

Book Review: The Hagenheim Fairy Tale series

After my review of The Orphan’s Wish, I had a couple of people ask me if you need to read the entire series in order, and if so, what the order was. So I thought I would go ahead and address that and give a brief review of each book in the series. @snowbellewells @vvbooklady1256 I hope this helps

The simplest answer, is no, you don’t HAVE to read them in order. As a matter of fact, I didn’t. You won’t be confused at all. However, you will learn spoilers of previous books. It’s also hard to figure out what order they should be read in because they are not clearly marked. You have to go to the author’s website to figure that out at :

melaniedickerson.com

On her website, this series is listed as The Fairy Tale Series. She has other series as well, and you can check them all out by clicking on the link above. 

Now, for the order and a brief review of each (because some I liked more than others). This may get long, so more is below the cut. I will warn of spoilers as I go. 

1. The Healer’s Apprentic

This is s Sleeping Beauty re-telling, and it is the only one with a supernatural element. The villain actually practices witchcraft and puts a curse on the main character. It’s more of the type of stuff you see in the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves than what you’d find in a fantasy book. People really did dabble in this kind of stuff back then. I actually did read this one first and absolutely loved it. 

2. The Merchant’s Daughter (spoilers ahead)

I was actually confused at first why this was even in the Hagenheim series. It’s set in England, not Germany, about 50 to 60 years earlier in history. I had already read The Golden Braid at this point and knew (spoiler alert) that the series was supposed to be about Duke Wilhelm and Rose’s children (the couple in The Healer’s Apprentice), and the main characters in this were not related at all? But then I read The Princess spy and realized that Colin is (spoiler alert) the grandson of Annabel and Lord Ranulf. This one was a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, and it is SO GOOD! Historically, it was interesting to read about a time when reading the Bible for yourself was discouraged by the church, and how rare it was for a woman to know how to read at all, and even rarer to know Latin. It made me love and respect Annabel all the more, just as Lord Ranulf comes to. And there is no hint at all in this version of Stockholm Syndrome, thank God!

3. The Fairest Beauty

This is a re-telling of Snow White, and it is about (spoiler alert) Rose and Wilhelm’s son Gabe. It is one of those “I shouldn’t fall in love with you because you’re betrothed to my brother” stories. (That’s a thing, right?) I really loved the seven “dwarves” in this. They were seven men shunned by society because of their special needs (a little person, an albino, a mute, etc). On a side note, this one has my favorite cover - it’s gorgeous!

4. The Captive Maiden (spoilers ahead)

This is a re-telling of Cinderella. In this her name is Gisela, however. The “prince” is Duke Wilhelm’s son, Valten. Valten is still a little peeved about his brother Gabe stealing his betrothed in #3, so you might want to read that one before this. Valten is untraditionally handsome and not exactly charming, only because he’s a little serious and reserved. But seeing him through Gisela’s eyes, you fall in love with him. That’s the sign of a fantastic writer, in my opinion!

5. The Princess Spy

This is the first of the books to focus on one of Wilhelm and Rose’s daughters, Margaretha, and it is a Princess and the Frog re-telling. You can read this one completely on its own and miss/spoil nothing. However, the reveal that the hero, Sir Colin, is the grandson of Annabel and Lord Ranulf won’t be the exciting reveal it should be if you haven’t read The Merchant’s Daughter. I’ll be honest, this one so far has been my least favorite in the series. To say it was a Frog Prince story was a bit of a stretch. Colin arrives in Hagenheim injured, but he doesn’t speak German, so Margaretha helps nurse because she knows a bit of English and wants to get better at it.  He’s given green hand me down clothes that are ugly, and no one knows he’s nobility because he can’t figure out how tell Margaretha in a way she can understand. He gets a job in the stables, and the workers call him Frog because of his clothes. The only thing I really loved about this book honestly was Sir Colin. He was reserved yet kind and a gentleman, and he had black hair and blue eyes. Hmmm . . . who does that sound like? 

6. The Golden Braid (spoilers ahead)

This is a re-telling of Rapunzel, and another one of my favorites in this series. I read it before The Princess Spy, and I must say, that was a tad bit confusing because the two stories overlap. I recommend reading this one in order, then. It was the second one I read, so I didn’t know Wilhelm and Rose had kids and there were books about them. There’s also things that Gabe discusses feeling guilty about way back in book three that affects this one too. Having said all that, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The Mother Gothel in it is downright psychotic, which I actually liked. The main hero in this, like Valten, grew on me. I honestly didn’t like him at first (neither does Rapunzel for that matter), but the love story unfolded in a perfect, slow burn kind of way that was satisfying. 

7. The Silent Songbird

I honestly can’t review this one because I haven’t read it yet! All I know is that it is a re-telling of The Little Mermaid. Based on the synopsis on the web site, it takes place in England, so I’m wondering if Wesley, the hero, is also related to Lord Ranulf. Maybe Colin’s brother? If so, you might need to read The Merchant’s Daughter and The Princess Spy first. 

8. The Orphan’s Wish

I already reviewed this Aladdin re-telling. It’s about Duke Wilhelm and Rose’s daughter Kristyn, and the only spoilers you will learn is who some of her siblings have married. There was nothing in it as far as I could see related to book 7 (The Silent Songbird)

9. The Warrior Maiden

I can’t review this one either because it’s not out yet! It’s a re-telling of Mulan, and from the synopsis I can already see that Duke Wilhem and Rose’s sons Wolfgang and Steffan are in this. Which one will Mulan end up with? I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out!

Oh, one side note, (spoiler alert) there are comments sprinkled throughout the series that Rose and Wilhelm are a little too . . . amorous with one another :) Apparently, it was rare back then for nobility to um, get busy quite so much? And six kids was kind of scandalous. That makes me laugh ;) 

#melanie reads #book review #hagenheim series #the fairy tale series

[thearrangment-phff]

XIII. Catastrophic

December 2016

The high walls of the historic two-story castle brought Isabella joy, pain, pride, and shame. Her grandfather stood at the door with a cane in his hand and a smile on his lips. Isabella went to him giving him a kiss on each cheek and a small curtsy. When she was in public with her family she was taught at a young age, that kisses on the cheek and a small curtsy was important. Her mother and elder sister spent months trying to perfect everything.

Harry watched as Isabella and her grandfather spoke another, language –most likely French, seeing how German has a harshness to its language- and Harry was forced to be in the background. He thought about learning French or German, that way he wasn't oblivious to the conversation. Harry was also sure Isabella's family would love the fact he learned another language to communicate with them.

Isabella laughed at something her grandfather said and Harry really wished he had a translator right now like he would have one when he went to a foreign country to avoid awkwardness. Harry watched as she nodded at the former Grand Duke of Luxembourg before turning her attention to Harry.

She grabbed onto his hand bringing him closer to her and her grandfather. Harry extended his arm out to the aging former monarch. Something the former Grand Duke took to account with a nod. His grip was weak on Harry's hand and when they both pulled back Harry bowed to him. Jean smiled and nodded at him before turning around and walking into Fischbach Castle.

Isabella grabbed onto Harry's upper arm and began to walk. Harry looked at the simple decorations that covered the castle walls. This was more a home than a castle in Harry's mind. Fischbach Castle was different from Kensington Palace, or even Buckingham. Though, he didn't think there were many places that could compare to those two palaces in the world.

Harry and Isabella were lead into a drawing room where another man held the former monarch into a chair. Jean nodded at his granddaughter, allowing her to sit down and Harry to join her. Despite being a people person, Harry was nervous. Jean, was Isabella's grandfather, and he made Harry more nervous than because of the language barrier. Isabella placed her hand on Harry's thigh and started to speak French to her grandfather. Whatever she had said made Jean nod at her and Isabella smile.

"Belle has told me that your grandmother is the Queen of England. I have met her on multiple occasions over the years and she is a great woman I must say," smiled Jean. His English wasn't bad, but Jean did have a thick mixed accent.

"Thank you. I'm sure she would appreciate your kind words," replied Harry.

"I told my grandfather you were in the Royal Army. He was also in the British Army and went to Sandhurst before fighting during the second world war," explained Isabella as Harry placed his hand over hers.

For the next two hours, Harry and Jean talked about Sandhurst, and Harry found out the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Family had a tradition of all sons going there before joining their home countries army. Some of the Liechtenstein princes even picked up this tradition as well because of Isabella’s aunt Margaretha of Luxembourg who married a Prince of Liechtenstein. When he and Isabella had children he had no doubt they will continue Jean’s tradition and in a way, Harry could start that same tradition with his own sons.

Harry then mentioned the Invictus Games and his work with veterans since joining the Royal Army. Jean had a great admiration for Harry's work and Harry even invited Jean to the next Invictus Games in Toronto if he could make it. Harry then started asking about World War Two and Jean explained the German occupation of Luxembourg.  

Isabella heard the stories growing up, from family and in school. Harry knew some stuff about WW2, mostly about the British Royal Family's experience, but he never knew about Luxembourg during the war. Jean told Harry the story about fleeing the night before the Germans invaded Luxembourg escaping to France. The Luxembourg Grand Ducal Family were then exiled to Portugal, United Kingdom, and finally the United States after that. Jean volunteered for the Irish Guards while in the United Kingdom during exile.  

Then Jean and Harry shared personal stories of their experiences at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. The two men had much more in common than first realized. Both held the rank of Lieutenant before being promoted to Captain. Jean then told Harry the story of landing in Normandy and fighting in the Battle for Caen, which was fought to liberate Brussels during their German occupation. Then Harry remembered that Isabella's grandmother was a Princess of Belgium before her marriage. When Harry brought her up, Jean smiled at the thought of his wife and then said that she and the King of the Belgians were under house arrest by the Germans during the war.

Harry remembered the stories about Belgium during the Second World War and his father once mentioned that King Leopold III of Belgium was a hated man for surrendering Belgium to the Nazis, and though lives were lost, much more were saved.

Jean then explained that he fought for the liberation of Luxembourg just a couple of months later. After the war, for almost 20 years, Jean served as Colonel of the Regiment of the Irish Guards, often riding in uniform behind Queen Elizabeth II during the Sovereign's Birthday Parade. That's when Harry began to remember faint memories of the former Grand Duke and his grandparents.

Isabella barely said a word as Harry and her grandfather created a bonding moment. All Isabella could do was smile at Harry as he spoke so passionately about his work with veterans then look so intense as he heard her grandfather's stories of World War Two. Not once did her hand leave Harry's thigh and she did notice whenever he talked about veterans he jaw would clench, he would bite his lip once or twice, and gripped her hand just a little tighter. When Harry heard the stories of World War Two from Jean, Harry's hand would leave hers, and find its way to her knees and squeeze occasionally.  

She had no objection to the touching, not only because she liked it, but because it showed her grandfather that they were a unit. In a way, Harry did depend on Isabella when in the presence of her family. If they were going to make this arrangement work, they needed to rely on each other. Harry began to trust Isabella more after not only seeing a glimpse of her life, but also the moments they spent alone in her apartment talking. It had been about 8 months of getting to know each other and Harry didn't have a complaint in his body... maybe a complaint about all the plane trips.

"Grandpapa, I'm afraid Harry and I need to get ready for tonight. As you do," insisted Isabella as she began to get up from the chair and Harry's touch.

Jean nodded at his granddaughter and spoke French before leaving the room. Isabella and Harry were left alone and she couldn't help but hug Harry. She had been so proud of him and her grandfather had told her that he really liked Harry.

"I am so proud of you," smiled Isabella as she pulled away from him, "I didn't think you and my grandfather would get along so quickly. He really likes you, Harry."

"He's a fascinating man. All those stories... they were captivating. I can't believe he even remembered fighting the second world war so vividly."

"My great-uncle Otto had amazing stories about World War Two. He publicly denounced Nazism and had a bounty on him. If caught he would be immediately sentenced to death. I had several family members actually sent to concentration camps. Uncle Otto helped over 15,000 Austrians and Austrian Jews flee when the Germans came. My great-grandmother Empress Zita did the same, and as a mother of 8 with no citizenship, she was forced into exile. My other great-grandparents, Eugene and Philippine, hid Jewish children in their castle of Belœil during the Nazi occupation of Belgium. Despite being shameful of my family, and I am also quite proud of them," stated Isabella.

Harry then thought about the Halloween costume party when he was a teenager and made the mistake of wearing Nazi armband. He was shameful after it had happened, but when the pictures were leaked it became more hate than shame. Then Harry wondered if Isabella knew of those photos.  

"I would have loved to hear those stories, had I known you earlier. Now that I think about it I really should read up on your family. Your great-grandparents seemed to have been amazing people," decided Harry.

"Of course. One pair was an Emperor and Empress, but he died young and my great-grandmother spent almost 70 years in widowhood and exile. Another were humanitarians and my great-grandmother Philippine entered a 30-yearlong widowhood as well. The third, my great-grandmother Charlotte was a monarch in her own right, but in her later life spent 15 years without her husband by her side. Then the last, and most tragic of all. My great-grandmother Astrid was in an accident and my great-grandfather was found clutching her dead body in his arms as he screamed her name. There is only one word to describe my family and it's catastrophic," spoke Isabella.

Harry could find no words of comfort for Isabella instead he reached his hand out to her and waited until her hand molded into his, "Come on. We do need to get ready."

Isabella and Harry walked up to their rooms hand in hand and Harry saw the stares of some of the housekeepers and other people who worked in the castle. Harry leaned to whisper in Isabella's ear, "Why are they staring?"

"Maybe they know who you are?" Asked Isabella in an attempt to reply but Harry could hear her being sarcastic with him.

"Doubt I would be so popular in Luxembourg," replied Harry.

"I think you're popular everywhere. You are Prince Harry after all," teased Isabella.

"Is that my compliment for the day? I do prefer those little nicknames you have for me," smiled Harry.

"You'll have to earn those nicknames tonight," proclaimed Isabella as she disappeared into the bathroom.

Some 20 minutes later Isabella came out with a black dress and her hair in a fancy up-do. She paid no attention to Harry as she clasped her necklace around her neck and looked in the mirror, "Are you ready?"

"I just need to put on shoes," replied Harry.

"Hurry up. My grandfather will be waiting downstairs and I really don't want to keep in waiting," said Isabella as she began to walk to the door.

"How long were they married?" Asked Harry.

"A little over 50 years."

"Think we can last that long?"

Isabella gave him a small smile and nod, "We take everything day by day."

#Prince Harry Fanfiction #Prince Harry Fanfic #PHFF #Royal Fanfic #Royal Fanfiction #Fanfiction

[howardcolson6-blog]

Naming Your Baby With Different Call Concepts

InfoBarrel is actually a composing platform for non-fiction, reference-based, useful content. I have certainly not found her around the Internet for a few months and surprisingly adequate although she scammed consistently I miss certainly not seeing her about as well as the often-amusing sizes that she would attempt to see her title ahead from posts or even evaluations. In live2you99.info the English-speaking globe it was not common till after the German Residence of Hanover came to the British power in the 18th century; the princess or queen Amelia Sophia (1711-1786) was typically called Emily in English, despite the fact that Amelia is an unconnected title. Aurora is actually another name many people will be actually shocked to discover has constantly ranked one of the Top 1000, but it's at its highest top easily now, standing at Amount 145 with the Best ONE HUNDRED visible within the following two years. Mata Hari was the stage label from Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (7 August 1876 - 15 October 1917), a Dutch stripper and also courtesan that was executed through firing squad for reconnaissance in the course of World War I. Lots of manuals have been actually written about Mata Hari, a few of all of them severe historic and also biographical accounts, however most of them very experimental. However I wait the label considering that Laura is the womanly form of Latin Laurus which implies laurel." Aurora emerges from the name from the Roman siren of sunrise, and my daughter is actually bright and pleasing like the beginning from the time, and also like the cedar. Worldwide of the net, locating someone through given name merely is actually much easier than it used to be. The world wide web is actually a strong device, that acquires all type of information from people that utilize it. A modern mobile Spa with the most recent in style and completely modifiable water and also sky planes is a lot superior to an organic warm spring as that can offer a mixture of both Hydro Therapy and Hydro Massage. In many cases, intellectuals manage to connect the story to among the guardians currently called, like Gabriel or Michael, and at others opportunities, we carry out unknown what the name of the angel is. Other labels of angels come from various other resources.

[clintonpittmansblog]

Mata Hari Isaac Israels 1916 From an early age, Isaac Israels received training in the studio of his father Jozef Israels, the famous Hague School painter. After a brief period of study at the Rijksakademie, Isaac remained in Amsterdam and documented the city life and its turbulent nightlife. He painted rapidly, Isaac Israels, without too many details; he was interested in the distinguishing aspects of his subjects. Israels painted many women, at first mainly factory workers and housemaids, but later more fashionable ladies. The Frisian Mata Hari, whose actual name was Margaretha Zelle, performed all over Europe as an exotic dancer. She was a hit in Paris in particular. She was accused of spying for the Germans during the First World War and executed by firing squad in 1917. Israels painted this monumental portrait of Mata Hari in the previous year, while she was temporarily living in The Hague. He portrays her as an elegant, self-assured young woman. The painting is rendered in loose, quick brushstrokes and smears, with little color. All the attention is focused on her tall, dignified stature.

[thearrangment-phff]

III. Love At First Sight

May 2016

This was the day. Isabella was dressed in a casual way hoping her future husband didn't see her as a stuck up little girl. Charles had told her that Harry would be by her apartment sometime past 5 and Isabella even offered to have Harry sleepover for the weekend, to which Charles agreed.

Isabella and Harry needed not only to make their relationship look real, but they need to get to know each other first. Isabella could hear her mother and father's voice to just be herself. Isabella's parents came from a family and generation were royals married other royals. Although Carl Christian and Marie Astrid didn't seem to mind who their children married as long as they were in love. Isabella was an exception because the Prince of Wales picked her personally.

She would marry Harry, become a Duchess, pop out some babies, and live the rest of her life in solitude. There was a moment where she was on her laptop, scrolling through the news feed, when she replayed the Prince of Wales words, "A marriage to your daughter brings a lot more to us than she realizes."

So, she picked off what advantage could she bring. She was an Archduchess of Austria that was a big deal since the empire and monarchies of Austria-Hungary were abolished. She was just a title but she had like a dozen cousins that were Archdukes and Archduchesses because of it. Through her father, she had less than a handful of Austrian-Hungarian princesses as cousins and maybe 50-second cousins for him too.

Her mother was slightly more connected. Marie Astrid was born a Princess of Luxembourg, making Isabella the granddaughter of one Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the niece of another. Her uncle Henri was currently serving Luxembourg as its Grand Duke for about 20 years now. Her grandfather Jean abdicated the position when she was a small girl. She had faint memories of his abdication and her uncle Henri assuming his new role.  

Isabella had 2 more uncles, Jean and Guillaume. She was close to her uncle Prince Jean of Luxembourg because he had children around Isabella's age. Her cousin Wenceslas and her were born some 16 days apart and they were inseparable for a while when they were younger. Isabella's aunt Margaretha had married of Prince of Liechtenstein and back then, that was a big deal. She had 4 cousins from her aunt that were slightly older and was only really close to her cousin Josef.

Isabella's family was well known in Luxembourg and Belgium. Her maternal grandmother was a Princess of Belgium making her somehow related to the current King of Belgium but it was her parents who really had royal cousins. Her mother's cousins include German counts and countesses, German dukes and duchesses, Prince and Princesses of Ligne, as well as two kings of Belgium, one of which was the former King Albert II of Belgium.

Her father's cousins include Prince and Princess of Ligne, a lot of Archdukes, and Prince and Princesses of Liechtenstein. It was then she realized that a marriage to her would bring some things. The British royal family was accused of being distant with other European royal families over the years.  

Isabella remembered the funeral of Queen Fabiola of Belgium, who also happened to Isabella’s godmother. Fabiola was always so kind to Isabella and to everyone. To which Fabiola confessed her happiness was brought forth even more after losing her children in five different pregnancies and her husband. All royal families came to Belgium to mourn except the British Royal Family. Isabella remembered hearing for weeks about how rude and disrespectful to was one them to not be present at a European Queen’s funeral. Albert II of Belgium, her uncle Henri Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and several other titled men scolded at the idea that the Queen of the United Kingdom couldn't even send one person to the funeral as a representative.  

Marie Astrid told Isabella once that once the Queen and her son were dead no one in Europe would ever respect the British royal family again. Maybe that was why Charles wanted her to marry his youngest son?

There was a knock at the door and Isabella took in a deep breath before opening the door. She came face to face with the tall, red-headed, prince she was to marry in no time. They gave each other small smiles before Harry spoke.

"If you don't mind my RPO's have to take a look around."

Isabella nodded, "Yes, of course," and moved out of the way to let the two men look around her small apartment, "Please come in I don't want you to stand in the hallway."

Harry only took a couple of steps forward as he looked around the small apartment. He didn't want to move until the RPO's said everything was fine. Isabella's apartment was so small it didn't take long before they nodded at the Prince before existing.

Isabella looked at them with a slightly confused look and Harry cleared things over, "They'll stand outside to give us more privacy."

"Oh okay," there was a small break of silence that Isabella hated, "Please sit down I don't want to be rude."

Harry nodded following her to a stool. She didn't have a large living room and her kitchen was even smaller with a small table and two stools on either side.

"Your English is better than I thought. Pa said you were German," began Harry before Isabella had widened her eyes.

"No, I'm not German. I can speak German but I'm Swiss. Born in Geneva actually," explained Isabella.

"I'm sorry. I heard German was your first language and I assumed-"

Isabella cut him off immediately, "It was French actually."

Harry looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "French? Why tell people German?"

"French was my first language because I could communicate with my mother's cousins in Belgium and my cousins in Luxembourg. I can speak it but I had this horrible accent and eventually told people German was my first language because I use to have a thick German accent for some odd reason. I was learning both at the time so it isn't a total lie."

"And when did you learn English?" Asked Harry.

"Um... for a boarding school in Kent actually. I went to school with a cousin of mine but he isn't actually my cousin, but is. All I know we are related somehow" chuckled Isabella.

"So, you learned English there or-"

"Learned English to not be the odd one out. My accent is weird as you can hear," smiled Isabella.

Harry gave an involuntary laugh only a second later giving an apology, "I didn't want to say anything."

"Well learning so many languages can do that," exclaimed Isabella.

"How many languages do you speak?" Asked Harry.

"Well, there's German, French, English, Spanish, and a bit of Dutch and Luxembourgish."

"Dutch and Luxembourgish? Those are different."

"I was curious about Dutch because some of my family speaks it! My mom knows Luxembourgish and she taught me some things."

"You seem more American too," teased Harry.

"I spent a couple of years in the States for school for your information. Their behavior was easy to pick up," smiled Isabella, "Enough about me. Tell me some things about you."

"You didn't do any research on me that moment this was arranged?" Asked Harry with one of his eyebrows up.

"Don't flatter yourself, red prince, you don't intrigue me that much. I've spent my whole life with titled people you aren't any different," laughed Isabella, "Besides who says any of those things are true."

"You are right," Harry paused trying to think of something, "I like chocolate."

"Chocolate?" Isabella gave him a small pause in return, "I hate chocolate actually and it's a shame because Swiss chocolate is supposed to be amazing."

"How can you hate chocolate? You’re a shame of a Swiss girl since you hate chocolate," joked Harry.

"Okay red prince tell me something else about yourself."

"… I like to play polo"

"A rich boy's sport," added Isabella.

"I play for charities mostly," corrected Harry.

"Something else?"

"Skiing. I love skiing. One time I went to the South Pole with wounded servicemen and women for Walking With The Wounded. It was for different charities all of the world for veterans. It was absolutely amazing," gushed Harry with a slight smile on his face making Isabella get this warm feeling in her stomach.

"That's amazing. I know you are big on helping veterans and soldiers and such. It's amazing that you do it. In some time, I would love to be a part of those charities should you allow it."

Harry looked at her confused on the last part, "Of course you could. It's not my place to tell you what to do."

Isabella nodded at him, "How about another fact about you?"

"Star Wars or Star Trek?" Asked Harry hoping she would say the right answer.

"Star Trek hands down," laughed Isabella making Harry smile and nod her, "I'm guessing that was the right answer.

"Yup. What about nicknames? Do you have one?" Asked Harry.

"Just Belle. You?"

"Well, technically Harry is a nickname since my name is Henry. My friends use to call me Spike, or Spike Wells because my hair was always up."

Isabella laughed at him, "I would love to see a picture of that."

"Just google me in my early teen years and I can guarantee you, you'll find many embarrassing pictures of me."

"Oh, I will," laughed Isabella.

Harry noted in that second, he liked her laugh, "Do you like dogs?"

"I don't know... I never had one as a child. So, I wouldn't know."

"… Maybe we can get a dog later."

Isabella nodded and smiled at him, "Okay. You know I came into this conversation knowing I would like you. Your father said we have things in common and he wasn't wrong about that."

Harry looked at her for a second knowing her words were genuine, "I'd say the same thing. We could be friends in this marriage if you'd like. We don't have to resent each other," bargained Harry.

"Sure. We have to get our stories straight starting now. We have to be a couple in public and for the cameras you know."

"Yes. So, who knows about this arrangement?"

"Just my parents. My brothers and sisters don't know."

"I didn't even ask about your family," said Harry in slight guilt.

"No that's fine. I tell you about them really fast, I have an older sister Marie Christine. Either or both is fine I just her Christi. Then there's Imre, Christoph, and Alexander. Then there's me, and finally, the youngest of us all is Gabriella. I call her Ella. Who knows from your family about this whole thing?"

"Just pa and granny. I only have one brother. Must have been... different to have so many siblings."

Isabella laughed at him, "That's one way to put in. I hated my sisters and my brother never wanted to play with me. I was always making an excuse to visit my cousins because they actually liked me."

There was another small silence that Isabella hated. Every once in a while, their conversation would end like this, "So what do we tell people when they ask where we met?"

"Oh well, I guess we can say through a friend. Vague enough but won't press too many questions," answered Isabella.

"What about how long we've been dating?" Asked Harry.

"Well when's the last time you had a girlfriend?"

"I think about this time 2 years ago. What about you? When's the last time you had a boyfriend."

"Well way long before that. So we'll say that we've been dating since... November of 2014. Does that sound good?"

"Sure. Why November?"

"Well, you don't want it to close to when you broke up with your girlfriend because that could lead to rumors we don't need. And besides November 1st is my birthday and it kind of popped into my head immediately," explained Isabella.

"Okay. My birthday is September 15."

"I'll remember that. So, I guess our two-year anniversary is coming up I hope you have something wonderful planned," joked Isabella.

"So, uh, since we have about a year until we're forced to walk down the aisle, and this year is about getting to know each other, you should come to London. You know to get to know each other and smile for the press and all."

God, he didn't even know why he was so nervous with her now. She gave him a small smile and nod, "Okay. You are right. We have to be a real couple in their eyes. Fair warning, I am very affectionate. My father always said it was the Habsburg blood in me."

Harry liked her smile. He liked her laugh. He liked her, but simply in a friendly manner, "Good. So uh since I'm staying here..."

Isabella noticed his nerves getting the best of him, "Yes, of course... uh, the couch turns into a bed so that's where you'll be sleeping. It isn't bad actually."

"Okay. I think I should send the guys to the hotel then," said Harry as he got up and walked towards the door.

Isabella slipped from her chair and walked towards the kitchen. She was going to make pasta for them tonight as a kind gesture. Harry returned with a smile on his face and Isabella explained she was making food for the both of them. He even offered to help but Isabella had objected to the whole idea.

It took almost an hour before they were once again seated across from each other with wine and pasta in front of them. Isabella looked to him before touching her food

"Why did you agree to marry me?"

Harry froze. He couldn't answer because, in all honesty, he couldn't give her a full one, "Why did you?"

Isabella thought about her words carefully, "I guess because my father wanted me to. I never doubt his intentions. I learned from a young age that he's right even when he doesn't want to be. What about you?"

"My relationships haven't always gone well for me in a while. After my last relationship, I thought that I would never find anyone who could handle my life. Then pa comes to me saying he found this girl he wanted to meet and he tells me some things about you. I even said that she wouldn't like the royal duties that come with me so she wouldn't want me. Then he told me that you have your own title and I thought that maybe this girl won't use me for that part then. That was shattered when pa said I would have to marry you next year either way. I was angry, but then I realized-"

"You agreed to me before you knew so why shouldn't you after?" Finished Isabella.

"Kind of. Ed, my secretary explained the reason behind pa wanting me to marry you and then he explained that our marriage would be even more of a big deal because royals marrying each other hasn't happened in almost 20 years."

"Basically, a marriage to me would bring its advantages, right?"

Harry nodded at Isabella, "It also had its disadvantages, but those were few, and there were way more advantages really."

"Name one," asked Isabella.

"A connection to Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Belgium in the bigger picture. It's a dynastic marriage in the eyes of Europe."

"Last one between reigning houses was my aunt Margaretha to a Prince of Liechtenstein. She's a big deal in the eyes of the old elite and so are her children, my cousins. My father always said that aunt Margaretha was different, but I don't know if that was a compliment or an insult," wondered Isabella.

"I heard the same thing from Ed. Pa told me to meet you before I decided anything rash like giving up my titles or something worse."

"You would give up your titles so you wouldn't have to marry me?"

"Now we'll never know."

Next Chapter

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