“The decorative arms race finally caved in under the sheer absurdity of Augustus the Strong (1670–1733), the Elector of Saxony who, with… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image
“From the German point of view the military misery came from Louis being someone who, like many unattractive people, spends too much time staring… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image
“all of whom radiated level-headed competence, physical fitness and pride in appearance, and lived on a different planet from the one defined by general… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image
“It would be interesting to know, for example, at what point it became decisively clear to everyone concerned that unicorn horns were in fact… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image
“but I remained bouncy and immune throughout – by the early eighteenth century the Electors’ tombs are entirely out of control and indeed strongly… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image
“The bags full of Turkish noses sent by the Uskoks from Senj to Charles V in 1532 may have been one of those gifts… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image
“The decorative arms race finally caved in under the sheer absurdity of Augustus the Strong (1670–1733), the Elector of Saxony who, with money pouring… — Simon Winder Copy Share Image