Auguste II of Pracht

Auguste II (1598 - 1610) was a monarch of the House of Hochberg who ruled as Emperor of Pracht, only in title, as his mother ruled as regent for his three month reign.

His short and tragic reign was dominated by a power struggle between the House of Hochberg and one of its cadet branches, Hochberg-Bourbon. His reign ended in his own murder by his second cousin Elisabeth's agents at Egmont Palace.

Reign of Louis III - Son Altesse Imperiale, le Petit Dauphin
Auguste II was born at the Schlosse von Hochberg in Liege on February 20th, 1598 to Auguste, Monsieur le Dauphin and his wife, Marie Caroline. His birth was much celebrated as a new member of the line of succession had been born. He was put into the care of the Imperial Governess upon order of Monsieur le Dauphin and was referred to as le Petit Dauphin. He was born in the time of the rebellion of Hochberg-Bourbon and put into immediate protection.

Auguste was put into protection and kept away from the Chateau du Egmont during his early years as he was put into constant danger if kept at court. The violent time of the late 1500's and early 1600's was deemed too unsafe for him and so he was kept at the Chateau de Hochberg during his minority. His family worried constantly for his safety after continually discovering many plots against both the Emperor and the Crown Prince's life.

His father died in 1605 from gangrene. In 1610, Louis III died from a gunshot wound after hunting. He became Emperor at age 12, his mother, now Dowager Empress, becoming regent.

Regency of Marie Caroline - Sa Majeste Tres Catholique, l'Empereur
His mother, Marie Caroline, became regent for the Empire during his minority. He was moved to Egmont, though seen to be a bad idea, it was necessary as the official residence of the Emperor was to be at the Chateau du Egmont. He disliked Brussels, the atmosphere and unrest of the city was a danger to his well-being and livelihood.

In cover of darkness, Princess Elisabeth spoke to various rebel movements in Brussels to attempt to sway them to kill the young Emperor and his mother. She had succeeded in swaying their decision, providing trumped up evidence of the Emperor being protestant (which was untrue, though many believed this due to the large number of protestants that were still around within the Empire) and the Regent being only in favour of her own power and had ordered the executions of many of the members of Hochberg-Bourbon, which once again was untrue. Many attempts to storm Egmont were repressed by Imperial troops, in February and early March.

A third attempt to storm Egmont on March 18th was successful. The gates were burst open and rebel troops broke through the doors, slaughtering anyone they could find. Auguste was said to be crying at the sound of the thundering masses of people storming through the palace halls, held in the arms of his mother. Princess Elisabeth would strut confidently through the halls, watching the bloodbath take place. A manhunt to find the Emperor and Regent was underway, which caused much damage to the artifacts and decorations in the chateau. The Emperor was found in a small room on the top attic level, cowering in the corner when the rebels broke through. His mother begged mercy, but she was stabbed immediately, her body being tied onto a rope and hung out of the room window. Auguste was tied and dragged through the halls of the palace, being taken out into the gardens. He was taken out into the woods at the far end of the gardens, beheaded and buried in a shallow grave.

Legacy
Auguste's death was made into many portraits depicting the bloodbath that preceded his execution. Many details are argued upon about his death, it is only agreed upon that he was beheaded and buried in the gardens. Possibly the most famous (or infamous) recount of events is that he was beaten senselessly and tortured for hours before finally being granted the mercy of death.

In 1668, while courtiers were walking the gardens of Egmont, a dog accompanying, the dog became distracted by something and rushed into the woods. The courtiers were confused and followed the dog. The dog led them to a patch of land which looked unlike the rest of the land surrounding. The location was dug and a decaying and decomposed body was found. After investigation and analysis, it was agreed that this was the body of Emperor Auguste II. The body found was interred into the Imperial Crypt, where it resides to this today. It is generally agreed that this is his body, though disputes have arisen from this claim.

His death has become an example of the barbarous nature of the point in history and has become the symbol for the disputes between the House of Hochberg and Hochberg-Bourbon. His death has also become an example of the barbarity of the past.

Titles and Styles

 * 20th February 1598 - 18th February 1605: Son Altesse Imperiale, le Petit Dauphin
 * 18th February 1605 - 14th January 1610: Son Altesse Imperiale, Monsieur le Dauphin
 * 14th January 1610 - Present: Sa Majeste Tres Catholique, l'Empereur