Things Got Very Personal
By speaking with his servants, the cabinet learned a lot about their King. In addition to his obvious disinterest in official affairs and extreme shyness, Ludwig had certain unusual habits. He ate outside in cold weather yet wore warm gear in the summer. The cabinet now held a file containing ‘evidence’ that their King was no longer competent to reign. Armed with this dossier of accusations, the cabinet met the Chancellor of the German Empire, Otto von Bismarck. To their dismay, the Chancellor dismissed their reports, referring to them as “rakings from the King’s wastepaper-basket and cupboards.” However, he never interfered with the cabinet’s agenda.
Things Got Very Personal
They Took Their Ruse a Step Further
The government understood that in order to depose the King, their proof had to persuade everyone of his insanity. After only a few minutes, the Chancellor figured out their ploy, so the ministers understood they needed to step up their game. This is when they decided to add psychiatrists. Following a brief survey of the area, Ludwig’s ministers discovered four psychiatrists who agreed to sign off on their findings. The saddest aspect was that none of these doctors had ever met or examined the King. Nonetheless, their diagnosis of paranoia was significant, and something needed to be done.
They Took Their Ruse A Step Further
