In the year of our Lord 1841 the common man saw that God and the nature that which He controls is a force that still exists to punish the hubris of man. A sudden tide of blights struck down the wheat farms of Europe like a tide. One might imagine that this would cause the price of grain and foodstuffs to increase unendingly. Yet no such price surge occurred in Bavaria. Then why does the common man still go hungry come nightfall? After toiling the fields and receiving his wages. Why does the only meal him and his family receive is a pot of gruel and nothing more?
While it is true that our land is fertile, cultivated by Aristocrats and Industrialists alike initially for the betterment of the people. Expunging hunger from the masses as guided by Ludwig I von Bayern’s ‘Bavarians shall not go hungry’ campaign. When nature itself came to strike at their greed? Did they stop amassing wealth?! No!
The crime lies not with the common worker but with the greedy aristocrats and the government that supports them. They are the ones which control the price of food. They are the ones who chases profit as if it were gospel, that it will save them from damnation. Instead of feeding the people which produces their wealth. The food is uprooted and sent away to neighbours. Just because they will pay more and fill the coffers of the elite better than their own workers.
And what do they tell us when we cry for help? When our women and children go hungry?
‘The policy of the Crown’s Economy is out of my control. I am but the humble owner of the land you work upon.’
What bullshit! No! Even worse than that! Even bullshit can fertilise the fields!
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Recently I have been assaulted with the unending cries of my labourers. They keep complaining, complaining, and complaining. Despite me already been given a wage and lifted them from peasantry. They still ask for more, it has given me a headache most frequent.
‘Please raise our wages or at least let me bring home some produce. Please. My son is running a fever he needs something more than gruel. Why is it that it’s all sent away?!’
And time and time again I have to repeat the same script.
‘The policy of the Crown’s Economy is out of my control. I am but a humble owner of the land you work upon.’
And it is true. Only those personally appointed by the King has any say in the matters of the Kingdom. One could own as much land as the king himself and even that doesn’t give you any power in the government.
It is unfair truly. We own the land that his kingdom sits upon, we give the people jobs and wages that he receives the taxes for, and what power do we get? Nothing! Not even a say in the laws which affects us. I swear if it was up to me I’d be able purge this food problem and cease their incessant whining. Perhaps I should write to Maxmillian. Show him and his father the age of personal rule has long since disappeared.'
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‘A report, many in fact your Majesty.’
‘Please, my son. There is none but us here in this office.’
‘Of course Father. There is much unrest in the Kingdom and the aristocrats have questioned the Crown’s ability to quell it with its own authority. That if everything must be done through you or your appointees approval, they fear that we would get swept away in the fires of revolution. They say that those landed should have a say in how his land is governed. I must say I agree Father. Many reports of them being unable to help the masses because of some artefact in the law code.’
‘I feared that this day would come. Not that I abhor the idea. But change may have brought us into the ranks of Kings in this world. But change was also the reason Napoleon came to be. Begin the drafting of a Constitution. Come what may Bavarian’s will stand steadfast. Led by the best among us. Do help me convince your colleagues however. Though I appointed them, you work among them my Son.’
And just like swatting a fly off their food. A decision that would change the political landscape of Bavaria for years to come occurred. As if it were a mild inconvenience.
