ABSTRACT
The brilliant period of Solitude marks the peak of Karl-Eugen’s reign. Karl-Eugen squandered the resources of Württemberg to such an extent that according to Maubert, in an attempt to remain ‘a prince of the first order, he brought his country to the verge of ruin’. Karl-Eugen, ‘a passionate and prodigal prince’, says Casanova ‘was eager to be considered another Hercules in the labours of Bacchus and Venus.’ In summer Karl-Eugen gave the signal for the court to move to his favourite pleasure resort, Schloss Grafeneck, ‘situated in the lush woodland country of the Black Forest where he spent part of the hottest season of the year’. Karl-Eugen, nursing the hope that he would soon hear of the death of his moribund creditor, played for time. Karl-Eugen also sold to Holland troops destined to campaign at the Cape of Good Hope; he sold others to England for the War of Independence.
