The Aftermath

Page 3 of The London Times. Note the date, and how long it took for news to reach another country 113 years ago. It's interesting that news from Munich reached London via Vienna. Compare this with today's Internet . . .

Ludwig's death sent shockwaves across Europe and the world. We can perhaps visualise the impact across Bavaria if we think of last year's tragic death of Princess Diana. As the world mourned her in a way nobody could have guessed, so did the Bavarian people mourn their beloved Swan King. The Conspirators were brought under close scrutiny by everyone in the country, the main target being Prime Minister Lutz. In London, The Times ran a huge story detailing the King's death, and this makes very interesting reading, as it was written as news, and not as history.

The King lay in State in Munich for a week, and the funeral was held on June 19th, 1886. Ludwig was buried in the Royal Vault beneath St Michael's Church, Munich.

Soon after his death a cult sprang up particularly among the people of the Alps. Shrines to Ludwig were set up in their homes, and postcards of varying taste were circulated everywhere. Even today, Ludwig's cult flourishes, and he has become part of our popular culture. Souvenirs of Ludwig are sold throughout Bavaria, and his castles, particularly Neuschwanstein, are used as locations, and inspiration for special effects, for many films, travel posters and books. The Dream King has even entered the modern computer age, featuring in the computer game "Gabriel Knight 2 - The Beast Within". And could this web site be considered part of it?

Two postcards produced immediately after Ludwig's death. On the left, one of his subjects, dressed in traditional Bavarian costume, mourns the King in his Alpine hut, with an impossible view of Herrenchiemsee out the window. On the right, an image of dubious taste shows a Wagnerian Rhine-maiden keeping watch over Ludwig's body, lying on the bottom of Lake Starnberg amongst the seaweed. In the background, a stormy night sky threatens Berg Castle. Notice how Ludwig is holding his crown - taste has certainly changed since those days.