The Luck of Barry Lyndon · Chapter
XII: Tragical History of Princess of X⸺ explained
Barry recounts meeting an old acquaintance, Madame de Liliengarten, in London in 1790, who tells him the tragic story of Princess Olivia of X⸺.
What happens
Barry recounts meeting an old acquaintance, Madame de Liliengarten, in London in 1790, who tells him the tragic story of Princess Olivia of X⸺. The Princess, in love with the murdered Chevalier de Magny, writes frantic letters accusing her husband Prince Victor of murder and treachery. She eventually bursts out of her apartments to confront him publicly, scattering letters to bystanders. Prince Victor orders her restrained and burns the letters. The narrative also reveals the machinations of the police minister Geldern, who manipulated events out of hatred and financial interest, leading to the Princess's downfall.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Delusion
Princess Olivia's frantic letters and public outburst reveal her self-delusion about her love for Magny and her belief that she can appeal to foreign kings for rescue.
Gender and Power
The Princess is imprisoned and silenced by her husband, illustrating the powerlessness of women even of royal rank in the face of male authority.
Violence and Dueling
The murder of Chevalier de Magny and the threat of violence against the Princess (the halberd at her breast) underscore the lethal consequences of courtly conflict.
Characters to notice
- Barry Lyndon
Narrator; meets Madame de Liliengarten in London and learns the Princess's tragic story.
- Lady Lyndon
Accompanies Barry to Ranelagh; jealously remarks on Madame de Liliengarten.
- Madame de Liliengarten
Former mistress of the old Duke of X⸺; now living in London, she recounts the Princess's tragedy to Barry.
- Princess Olivia
The tragic Princess of X⸺; imprisoned by her husband, she publicly accuses him of murder and is forcibly restrained.
- Prince Victor
Duke of X⸺; the Princess's husband, who orders her confinement and burns her accusatory letters.
- Chevalier de Magny
The murdered lover of Princess Olivia; his death is the catalyst for the tragedy.
- Monsieur de Geldern
Police minister; orchestrates the Princess's ruin out of hatred and financial interest.
- Monsieur de Weissenborn
Courtier; ordered by Prince Victor to pick up the Princess's scattered letters.
Key passages
“‘Take notice, gentlemen!’ she screamed out, ‘that this man is a murderer and a liar; that he lays plots for honourable gentlemen, and kills them in prison! Take notice, that I too am in prison, and fear the same fate: the same butcher who killed Maxime de Magny, may, any night, put the knife to my throat.’”
Princess Olivia publicly accuses Prince Victor of murdering Magny and claims she fears he will kill her too.
This outburst is the climax of the Princess's desperation and leads to her forced confinement.
“‘Let no man stoop!’ cried the Prince, in a voice of thunder. ‘Madame de Gleim, you should have watched your patient better. Call the Princess’s physicians: her Highness’s brain is affected.’”
Prince Victor dismisses the Princess's accusations as madness and orders her to be treated as insane.
The Prince uses the pretense of mental illness to discredit his wife and maintain control.
