The Conspiracy 2

Prime Minister Lutz

The Conspiracy

Once the Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Lutz, decided that Ludwig had to go, they set to work planning their coup. The King could only be removed by Constitutional reasons - a coup d'etat was out of the question. Firstly they needed a reason for getting the King off the throne. This was an easy choice - prove he was insane and therefore unfit to rule.

Next on their agenda was a report detailing the King's insanity prepared by important psychiatrists. At the same time, the plotters needed the help of Prince Luitpold, Ludwig and Otto's uncle. Since Otto was insane, and had been kept locked away in an asylum for a number of years, Uncle Luitpold was next in line to the Throne. It would then just be a matter of arranging for the King to be taken into 'care'. It is an interesting point that Lutz received off the Prince on 6 separate occasions, reassurance that the current Government would remain in office after the removal of the King.

Prince Luitpold, Ludwig's uncle.

Prince Luitpold would only co-operate if the report proved conclusively that Ludwig was incurably insane, and totally unfit to rule. As the Prince was a man in his 60's, he was unambitious and retiring. The last thing he wanted at his age was the Throne. The report would then be required to be very detailed.

Four eminent psychiatrists, headed by Dr Berhard von Gudden - the leading German psychiatrist of the day - were brought in to compile the report. The other three psychiatrists were Doctors Hagen, Grashey and Hubrich.

Around January 1886, Count von Holnstein, Ludwig's Master the Horse, set about collecting the stories and gossip from the King's enemies and disgruntled former servants and lackeys. Holnstein himself was fed up with the King, and hated his Master. He was obviously the right choice for such a mission.

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