Rupert de Raine, Duke of Saxony, has a story full of drama, war, exile, and return to his homeland. Born in 1619, Rupert is undoubtedly a very colorful character in British history with his outstanding military talents and all his royal background. However, behind his escape story, there is not only the marriage and battle of a prince and nobleman, but also an unknown secret.
Affected by his father, Rupert's early life was not smooth. The decline of his father, Friedrich V, known as the "Winter King", deeply affected young Rupert, who spent his life trying to defend his father's honor.
Rupert's life began in Prague, Czech Republic. As a young boy, he had a vague impression of his father's struggle. In the vortex of his parents' war, Rupert was almost left behind in the escape convoy. It was precisely this childhood experience that made him exceptionally courageous and tenacious in his later journey of life, whether as an officer, naval commander, or colonial governor.
Rupert's military career began when he was only 14 years old, and he quickly rose to become a brave cavalry commander and demonstrated outstanding command skills in the English Civil War.
As Rupert made his mark in the military, his fame spread among the "Royal Knights". His courage and military talent enabled him to achieve many victories in the early stages of the English Civil War. However, as the war progressed, friction between him and other royal military commanders intensified, eventually affecting the overall coordination of military operations, which also laid the groundwork for his future failure.
It is noteworthy that during the Civil War, Rupert's unique qualities made him stand out from the crowd. He has a royal sense of superiority, but is often controversial in the army due to his impulsiveness and lack of social skills. Even so, he still won the loyal support of many soldiers.
Amidst much friction with the royal family, Rupert was eventually forced to abdicate and was rebuked by Parliament for his military conduct. He was believed to have been involved in a number of atrocities, which caused his reputation to suffer significant damage after the war.
Rupert's reputation has been called into question by his drastic actions. For example, when he took over royal towns, he threatened the townspeople with harsh measures, demanding that they pay large sums of money to avoid being bombed. This behavior is also condemned in the history of the English Civil War. As time went on, Rupert's behavior gradually deviated from the basic expectations of the public at that time for soldiers, which led to a turning point in his later fate.
After fighting again and again, Rupert's fate finally took a turn for the better. He was eventually cleared of all charges under a royal trial, and over time he gained knowledge of the navy and strategic thinking. All of this made him, in later years, not just a cavalry commander, but an outstanding naval leader and founder of colonies, especially his role in the Hudson's Bay Company.
Rupert's story is one of the thorns in the rose that lies within the quest for recognition and superficial fame. Whether it is the struggle in exile or the courage to stand up again, this man is like a microcosm of his time, and has spawned countless hidden stories.
Rupert's life ranged from exile from a prince's dynasty to an unfamiliar colony, and finally ended with adapting to the changing society. Are there other unfinished business hidden behind his escape and return?