The Man with Six Faces | The Life & Times of Talleyrand

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Music (in order of appearance):
Kevin Macleod - Hidden Past
Kevin Macleod - Brandenburg No. 4
Kevin Macleod - Metalmania
Ylvis - Massachussetts
First French Empire National Anthem "Chant du depart"
Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"

[@JackRackam]

Check out In Nelson's Footsteps and 3,000 other documentaries, on the house: www.magellantv.com/jackrackam

[@midshipman8654]

I dont know who it was, but I loved the person who played Talleyrand in that 2002 Napoleon mini series. he was amazing. gave off this intelligent, but in it for his own feel.

[@JackRackam]

@@midshipman8654 Oh yeah, he was great! I remember watching a few scenes from the show while I was researching

[@midshipman8654]

@@JackRackam yah, he has this quiet but disconcerting way about him that really stuck with me after watching it. The TV series itself is pretty long with a lot of characters, but Tallyrand himself specifically stayed with me for some reason.

[@user-no4di9ro7c]

@@JackRackam hello, I hate to be this person, but Luise of Prussia was dead when Napoleon was deposed, she never got to witness it unfortunately

[@terintiaflavius3349]

I love magellan. You should have your own show on there honestly

[@jmace2424]

A guy goes into a bookstore in Paris and asks if they have a copy of the French Constitution. The bookseller shakes his head and says, “I’m sorry, Monsieur, we don’t carry periodicals.”

[@JackRackam]

This is brilliant

[@alifkazeryu8228]

I'm dumb... so please explain the joke. especially the periodical part

[@JackRackam]

@@alifkazeryu8228 A periodical is a newspaper or magazine that publishes new editions at regular intervals, in contrast with a regular book. The French constitution has been changed many times throughout history since they've had at least one constitutional monarchy and are currently on their fifth republic

[@alifkazeryu8228]

@@JackRackam french constitution have been changed so often it's basically a newspaper.... thanks for the explanation! it really is clear cut now! never knew french have a hobby of overthrowing a government.

[@BlueflameKing1]

This is amazing, well done.

[@ryanwagner9450]

Talleyrand seems to be that guy who knows when you drink to much and tells you to stop, but when you don't listen, he leaves so that he dosent have to see you throw up or drive you home.

[@pierren___]

I identify then

[@JackRackam]

Only for him to walk in on another friend who's only a few drinks behind the first

[@ryanwagner9450]

@@JackRackam first, cool that you are replying. Second, yeah that sounds about right.

[@reginald_1458]

Talleyrands the dude who buys you beers then tells you to stop.

[@user-uv9zr8qs2c]

and sensibly pretends nothing happened (true story actually)

[@Catman2123]

“What is your political orientation?” “Political orientation? Oriented to wherever the French are of course!”

[@zyanego3170]

"Oh, good lord..."

[@nicbahtin4774]

it's like Gaullism "neither a doctrine nor a political ideology" but "a peculiarly French phenomenon"

[@timvanrijn8239]

So he is nationalist

[@apalahartisebuahnama7684]

@@timvanrijn8239 more like opportunist

[@ChrisHJohnson93]

and that's how people don't lose power

[@dakotajohnson5954]

Tallyrand should be more well-known amongst the general public, he's a fascinating character

[@midshipman8654]

tbf, his whole shtick was in controlling stuff from the background, and trying to get the minimum amount of negative attention from anyone. So It kind of makes sense why he isnt.

[@atomic_wait]

This guy deserves a tongue in cheek video, the executioner who did in the king and eventually the successive waves of revolutionaries. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles-Henri_Sanson?wprov=sfla1

[@metamutualguruist65]

He is your standard issue, morally bankrupt, ,stand for nothing, spy, thief and wiling tool of those with money or influence. We've shortened it to politician.

[@FishBoneD14]

@@atomic_wait He has 2 amazing mangas

[@atomic_wait]

@@FishBoneD14Hahaha really, what are they called?

[@Talyrion]

"Oh, Sire, I really didn't do anything. It just so happens that I bring bad luck to governments that neglect me." - Talleyrand to Louis XVIII, when asked by the later on how the hell did he manage to survive everything up until now.

[@TheHalflingLad]

- Tell me something, Maurice. Who do you truly serve? - The realm, my lord. Someone must.

[@noblenaveragemanointernet2582]

You mean Varys

[@TheHalflingLad]

​@@noblenaveragemanointernet2582Obviously. That right there is what some people would call a reference.

[@MLaserHistory]

"I dig it" I almost died :D hahahaha

[@JackRackam]

That feeling when no one knows what they're doing so they make you president as the most responsible adult in the room

[@MLaserHistory]

@@JackRackam To be fare stuff like this happened more often in history than you think.

[@eskija1035]

@Egg Egg egg egg ah, a man of culture, and by culture i mean sam o'nella

[@Alec11_43]

This guy is the epitome of going where the wind blows(for the future of France of course, as well as survival in an incredibly turbulent point in history, but still).

[@jmey8530]

A traitor to everybody but himself, guess it s the way to go to survive in politics...

[@maxis2k]

More like a guy who directs the wind. A wind waker...if you will.

[@faded_ink3545]

As the man himself once said (I’m paraphrasing): “better to go with the changing wind and receive credit for directing it, than forced along with no reward.”

[@NautilusSSN571]

Going with the wind is the only way to survive politics.

[@ReaperCH90]

I think this is a bit unfair to him. I believe he was able to see in what directions things will move on before others did ity and he then positioned himself for these events which then happened.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Fun fact: Talleyrand came from a ancient line of diplomats, some of whom were also Bishops The most prominent was probably the BishopTalleyrand who tried to negotiate a permanent peace to the Hundred Years’ War; unfortunately, this was during the 1340s and 1350s

[@pierren___]

So its a tradition 😁

[@edsol335]

I thought bishops can't have kids

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@edsol335 They’re not supposed to, but that hasn’t stopped a great many of them throughout history

[@ahm--yf4046]

@@edsol335 well... they can have children before they got ordained as priesthood right?

[@mrluk-ci4os]

@@ahm--yf4046 If you enter the service in your thirties, but most bishops enter in the youth

[@samlund8543]

Learned about Talleyrand through the Revolutions podcast by Mike Duncan, and even I am still amazed at the bullshit he was able to survive through

[@mossadagent1576]

The History of Rome and Revolutions are the best historical audio production ever made imo

[@Artur_M.]

Mike Duncan is indeed awesome!

[@jareda.hawkins649]

I was just about to comment something similar!😆

[@prestonjones1653]

I learned about him through a mini-series on Napoléon. I think it was.made by HBO? I'll need to check the DVDs again to be sure.

[@kylo_ben]

Yeah Mike Duncan is great. The sub-episode on his life is absolutely fantastic.

[@antoniok.486]

Talleyrand: excellent, the bells are ringing,we won! Assistant: who's "we" my lord? Talleyrand: Shh, we'll find out tomorrow

[@PoolNoodleGundam]

"Just because they're monarchs who took over during a revolution does not mean there's going to be some other napoleon!" *suggested: The Other Napoleon*

[@gus-vanover]

Already done

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Funny thing: Talleyrand's illegitimate grandson Count de Morny (who married a beautiful Russian princess) was Napoleon III's able and versatile, foreign minister; who like his grandsire was a talented businessman, good at making money on the side, although he did it legally. (By that time there were laws against insider trading and stock-jobbing; and taking bribes in the second Empire was considered bad form, even if not illegal.)

[@jalioswilinghart]

Fun fact: During the time Napoleon and the Brits were having a measuring contest, Denmark was neutral, and had a massive fleet, armed to the teeth. Since they traded with both powers, they were a help and a thorn to both. And then the Brits snapped, burned Copenhagen to the ground, took the ships at port they didn't burn with said port, and left. While Denmark was still neutral. Unsurprisingly, that got France a new geopolitical ally, rather fast.

[@CollinMcLean]

The Scandinavians always seem to be the wildcard of history.

[@vde1846]

@@CollinMcLean At around the same time Sweden elected one of Napoleons generals as king, and he quickly saw where the wind was blowing and allied Sweden with England against France (and, conveniently, the recently weakened Denmark). His descendants rule Sweden to this day.

[@CollinMcLean]

@@vde1846 I thought Sweden was a constutional Democracy?

[@vde1846]

@@CollinMcLean Constitutional Monarchy, but with all royal powers stripped; the king is 100% ceremonial, without even the powers of a British monarch.

[@Antonious_jeffer]

@@vde1846 ah yes bernadotte , the anakin of the napleonic wars

[@zahfa7608]

> Excommunicated by the Pope > Helped Napoleon > Pope released him from the ban of excommunication Outstanding move.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Pope Pius VII, while in Paris "kidnapped" by Napoleon for his Coronation, was visited by Talleyrand frequently to try to run interference between the crude manners of Napoleon and to make the Pope's life easier if he could. Always the elegantly correct courtier, and genuinely gracious and hospitable, even his enemies admitted that Talleyrand was charming company. The Pope was under no. illusions about Talleyrand's many mistresses, but he said, "God keep him, one cannot but like Monsieur Talleyrand."

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Despite being a wily and often ruthless politician, Talleyrand was the soul of courtesy was personally a kind and thoughtful man. (His employees at the Foreign Office, and the servants of his household adored him.) For the sake of French culture and standards, Talleyrand tried to keep the Corsican Napoleon from being too crude and nasty to the Pope, or at least counteract his boorishness. Napoleon was an educated man, and could turn on the charm when it suited him; but he said more than once that "Good taste was a waste of time."

[@cmbeadle2228]

You forgot his hilarious duplicity when he was attending a summit with Tsar Alexander and Napoleon. He took the Tsar asidr and advised him to resist all of Napoleon's advances, and not join in alliance.

[@faded_ink3545]

Just finished a biography of Talleyrand; here are a few more interesting tidbits about the man: (1) Napoleon once called him “shit in silk stockings ... his only loyalty is to Brie cheese!” (he was half-right). (2) The conflict between the US & France stemmed from Talleyrand asking for bribes and the US being too honourable to acquiesce. (3) Talleyrand straight up took over the Congress of Vienna DESPITE BEING ON THE LOSING SIDE OF THE WAR THAT CREATED THE CONGRESS.

[@randomvidsyt671]

He's kinda like the politics version of napoleon but much smarter

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

"Have you heard the tragedy of Napoleon the Great, it a story Europe will not tell you" - Talleyrand

[@user-uv9zr8qs2c]

I dont know anything abot the "Brie cheese" but the merde de la bas de soie yes but his friend Lannes said it first actually...... so out Emperor thought it was ok to tell it to Talley face to face a few years later

[@LoudRevised]

I love Talleyrand. The XYZ affair which crossed the American and French anime archs in their second collaboration was amazing.

[@Blownapart23]

Never before in my life had I heard a historical era for a nation referred to as an anime arc...I love it. Well said sir.

[@ClairBear1989]

Dealing with a new manager at a grocery store is stressful. This guy did it with different leaders with different forms of government. The patience this man had is unimaginable.

[@salemyahyadidi8778]

It 's true

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Talleyrand was a decisive man who could make quick, and correct, decisions in a crisis. He also had a profound understanding of the uses of Time (which he always capitalised in writing the word!) and the wisdom of patience. Though he had many ideas ahead of their time, he was disciplined enough to "put them on the back burner" until a better moment, if initial presentation showed people weren't ready for them. Few inventors, philosophers or politicians are as canny as he! That said, he keenly studyed the zeitgeist to get his political timing-- & policy reversals-- right. And his envious enemies said he was "lucky" in his timing. . . . !

[@bertchintus4103]

To be fair, Napoleon only declared war twice. The rest were declared on him

[@thierryfromgwada9312]

I was looking for this comment.

[@thenablade858]

Yes, it was mostly defensive. In the case of Russia, he wanted his frenemy/man crush Alexander to stop selling grain to the English.

[@williamstellmann]

My Ap Euro teacher found it hilarious that he kept alive through all the regimes.

[@andydelapoer]

He is my great....great grand father. My favourite story is when he had pledged allegience to Louis XVIII,louis said" Monsieur Talleyrand has pledged allegience to many people before'',Talleyrand replied''I believe you are the thirteenth sire,I wish you greater success than all the others''.

[@signefurax933]

Marquis de Sade too...

[@mlovecraftr]

If you are curious, Talleyrand's celebrity chef was called Marie-Antoine Carême. People on KZbin have recreated some of his recipes, for example, Ann Reardon from How to Cook That made one of his signature cakes.

[@Thecommander248]

Tallyrand, the only kind and worthwhile named person who actually survived the Revolution with a happily ever after. Legend.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

He was unloved and devalued by his impoverished parents in childhood because he was a cripple; It was often said that he was ice-cold, and though charming and witty, he never really loved anyone, and though gifted and brilliant as politician, was always short of money. However disciplining himself to an iron self-control, hiding his emotions behind a sphinx like inscrutability was a mask he adopted from childhood to keep from being hurt. Despite his club-foot, he was notoriously attractive to women. He was also, of course, a legendary womaniser. "He believed that power and intelligence were the perfume of courtship and he wielded them with deadly charm" (--Simon Schama). To his own surprise, at age 62 he fell genuinely in love with his niece-by-(unhappy) marriage, the 22 year-old Dutchess of Dino, who was a political genius in her own right. They adored each other and despite occasional outside lovers, were soul-mates and companions to the end of Talleyrand's long life. He said she was the most intelligent person he had ever met, and he knew many brilliant men. She out lived him by several years, and nearing her own death, the beautiful and brilliant Dutchess asked that her heart be buried in Talleyrand's tomb; and expressed her longing and hope that they would be reunited after death. 💔

[@happyChappy96621]

This is the go to channel for learning about obscure historical figures who I often know nothing about.

[@discountplaguedoctor88]

You said it.

[@sherk3286]

I dont think talleyrand is obscure. You shouldve learned about him in high school

[@happyChappy96621]

@@sherk3286 I’m from the UK. When I did history at school this wasn’t part of the curriculum.

[@sherk3286]

@@happyChappy96621 i'm from the southeastern us and i learned about him in school Which maybe thats because I was doing AP classes

[@chinsaw2727]

@@sherk3286 I did AP classes and I didn’t learn about him, but then again your teacher probably cared more about the French Revolution then mine, who cared a lot about colonial North America

[@shadowmose5079]

Talleyrand was quick to respond. At a dinner, a young duc wanted to pay compliments to 2 ladies next to him. He said "I'm between beauty and wisdomness." And Talleyrand said : "You don't have any of both though". Also, a lady with a strabismus wanted to joke about Talleyrand who had a club-foot. She asked him "Comment marchent vos affaires ?" "How is your business working ?" (Marcher in French means Walking but also a business working) And Talleyrand replied "As you can SEE, madame."

[@etiennemourez3059]

About Chateaubriand becoming deaf : he is getting deaf because he is not hearing people talking about him anymore.

[@krimozaki9494]

comme vous le voyez , madame

[@victorwhite4804]

Knowing what I know of Aaron Burr, and what I now know of Talleyrand, I feel like the fact that the two of them were apparently friends (or at least friendly enough that Burr was willing to put a roof over Talleyrand's head for a bit) should be obvious... Yet here I am, baffled

[@G_Okr]

Talleyrand was actually much closer to Hamilton than Burr. He just stayed in his house because it was a bit bigger and more convenient. But when Burr killed Hamilton and run to France for safety, Talleyrand refused to give him shelter, saying (and I quote) : "You killed the man whose portrait I have hanged above my fireplace."

[@bookfanatic8329]

@@G_Okr Was it normal to just hang large oil paintings of your homies in your house back in the day? Or was there something more?

[@G_Okr]

@@bookfanatic8329 well, it's not like they had photographs. Paintings were pretty much the only way a person or a moment in history could be visually remembered. Being a painter was a very profitable job back then. I imagine the duo got drunk one night, crashed in a random house (probably Burr's) and the next morning were like: -"I had a blast bro" -"We should get some portraits done to remember each other bro!" -"I could never forget you even if I tried bro..." -"Bro ..."

[@thomastakesatollforthedark2231]

@@G_Okr and then they kissed

[@ILikedGooglePlus]

@@thomastakesatollforthedark2231 And they were roommates

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

"Language is given to man to hide his thoughts" (Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand)

[@algerianchaouki5705]

Dude you missed many great anecdotes of Talleyrand's life, he was called the limping devil for a reason, he was shrewd and bigger than life and entertaining an amusing wit.

[@niepamietam2142]

his ability to control his own emotions was something else

[@adrianjohnson7920]

@@niepamietam2142 He was called "sphinx in a powdered wig" and it drove Napoleon (who could not control his own temper) wild that he could never ruffle Tallelyrand's studied calm no matter how Napoleon ranted. Talleyrand and Fouché (head of the secret police) were the only two of Napoleon's ministers who weren't afraid of him.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

But he seems to have had, beneath it all, a genuine sweetness of character and a kind heart which he took care to hide beneath the icy persona he cultivated. He never defended himself from charges of venality and pragmatically working for "regime change" when it benefited France. His old mistresses, and his foreign office clerks, and his house servants adored him. He was fond of children and dogs. And loved giving dinner parties, to which he invited enemies as well as friends.

[@LoudRevised]

This dude made it to the Congress of Vienna. That’s an achievement.

[@katehu7194]

He RAN the Congress of Vienna xD Started as an outcast then did an elaborate wheel and deal to take the reins of the whole negotiation. Absolute mad genius!

[@adrianjohnson7920]

What's astounding is that Talleyrand was the acting head of a DEFEATED state and he was such a consummate manipulator that he was able to insinuate himself as a key player among the "great powers" and dominate discussions with logic and genius psychological understanding of the personalities -- he was able to play off other countries fears and greed against each other to the best advantage of France, who got off lightly -- her boundaries remained intact, and only a short occupation by the victors, and light war reparations. Plus with his charismatic embassy hostess ( his neice by marriage, later his devoted mistress and the great love of his life) and his celebrity chef, and the artist Isabey to "stage manage" balls and entertainments, Talleyrand with his charm and hospitality at Vienna made the rest of the diplomats there realise that Fench culture was an asset to Europe, and it would be barbaric and uncivilised for them to punish the French people for Napoleon's insane ambition and wars.

[@davidbuckley2435]

​@adrianjohnson7920 You absolutely know that he clocked Metternich as the only one present who was canny enough to throw a spanner in the works, so he immediately aligned himself with Austria and ensured that France was seen as indispensable to the "balance of power"

[@danielodonnell2648]

Ah Talleyrand, a revolutionary Machiavelli. I legit wanna see a Wolf Hall style novel about him because he seems way more deep as a character than some shady 6 faced janus

[@adrianjohnson7920]

He despite his many mistresses, he wasn't really a "womaniser".. He generally admired and respected intelligent women, preferred their company and conversation to men, and astonishingly kept most of his former lovers as cherished and lifelong friends. He even lamented when the Spanish lover of his estranged wife died. (though the sardonic Talleyrand had named his dog "Carlos" after the Spaniard) A friend visited him and found him in genuine distress, holding the letter with news of the Spanish aristocrat's death. "What shall she do now?' Talleyrand said. "He was a man of prudent good sense; she has no sense at all, and now how shall she manage her finances?" Talleyrand had given her use of a house for life, and paid her a regular pension, until she died one. year before he did.

[@Borderose]

This guy made Littlefinger look like a stooge. He was glorious.

[@EliaFlowers]

Varys would be a fairer comparison

[@lareponse4745]

@@EliaFlowers Varys would be Fouché (police minister)

[@richeybaumann1755]

"Died, has he? I wonder what he meant by that."- alleged words of the legendary statesman Metternich upon hearing of the death of Talleyrand.

[@silenceisgolden6097]

ok, the "just good friends" gag needs to be a running gag for this show.

[@AB-gk8cs]

I could name another man, who accomlished what Talleyrand did (and hat a sometimes complicated relationship with him): Joseph Fouche, high ranking official of the revolution, the 'butcher of Lyon', one of the man behind Robespierres fall, police minister for the Directorate, than for Napoleon, than serving the Bourbons, than again police minister for Napoleon and than for the Bourbons... Another highly fascinating figure, who cold blooded navigated through one of the most turbulent times of Europe history.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Yes; but Fouche died penniless, alone, and in misery. Talleyrand, perfect courtier to the end, died rich, beloved, and his deathbed was a social event in the best possible taste.

[@dylantaylor3139]

Honestly there is nothing better than an Aaron Burr cameo

[@JackRackam]

Aaron Burr tried to get Talleyrand to repay the favor when he had to flee the States, but Talleyrand was also friends with Hamilton so things were a little awkward

[@ericmarley7060]

No, Napoleon! Don't leave Paris! Talleyrand is going to betray you to the 6th Coalition! Oh my god, Napoleon has his airpods in, he can't hear me!!!

[@Karzen17]

You should check out Jan Zizka, the guy went from mercenary to lead Hussites in Bohemia, defeated crusades with peasants armies, revolutionized european warfare, used armoured transporters over 500 years before it was a thing, led armies even after he lost his other eye and allegedly had his skin turned into wardrums after he died. I think you'll enjoy him

[@ght_1]

“I’m playing all sides so that I always come out on top” - Tarryrand, probably

[@katehu7194]

Such a cheeky and witty character. Definitely an incredible man with an incredible story and list of accomplishments! A true genius chameleon just out to survive and ends up thriving each time :p

[@adrianjohnson7920]

He loved to relax playing Whist to the small hours, and sleep late the next morning. He might have had a gambling problem, except he usually won. Whist is more a game of skill than chance; it is the forerunner of modern contract Bridge, and a laser focus strategising on what has been played would have come easily to a a man who, knowing political news from the foreign office before the general public, would tell his whist-player friend and "man of business" Montrond to go down and speculate successfully on currency exchange rates or the stock market. One of his guests once asked Talleyrand what the basis of their relationship was. He replied, "I like M. Montrond because he has so few scruples." Montrond smiled and added, "I like M. Talleyrand because he has no scruples at all." 😆

[@chris7372]

"He is shit in silk stockings" - Napoleon about Talleyrand

[@etiennemourez3059]

"a pity such a great man is so ill-bred " was the answer.

[@amenhotep7704]

Talleyrand exactly survived because of how he was in his mind, full of wisdom and of how he saw things... Truly a great spirit the world had.

[@jackukridge5381]

I once went to a bar called The Talleyrand, I had no idea they were a real person.

[@someguy4405]

Wouldn't you just love to be that guy who had to tell Tallyrand "Your old boss you betrayed has left his obscure island, taken over the country within eight seconds of hitting the mainland and is headed here at top-speed."

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Actually, he was still in bed wearing his night cap, being visited by his niece, who was sitting at the foot of his bed eating breakfast and playing with his little King Charles Spaniel "Carlos," when a footman brought his master a note from Metternich. Talleyrand told Dorothea to open and read it for him, as it was probably the time of a meeting Metternich wanted that afternoon. She was shocked to relate the news that Napoleon had escaped from Elba, and nobody knew where he was going to land. "What about my [play] rehearsal this afternoon?" she said anxiously. Talleyrand didn't seem alarmed, or even change expression "Go ahead with it according to your schedule," he said. "This will not affect us here for a couple of days yet."

[@someguy4405]

@@adrianjohnson7920 based.

[@greenoftreeblackofblue6625]

"What's a god to a non-believer" The guy built different said calmly.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

No objective morals

[@ArgentAnarchy]

@Black Box Painting to the non-believer they are a figment of imagination with set doctrines and codes of behavior that direct the lives of true believers. So if you read up on them they are a guidebook on how to manipulate thier believers into serving your interests as long as you can make you goals kosher with said belief system. The god is a non-entity to the non-believer just a crowbar to use on the mind of a believer.

[@11Survivor]

@@ArgentAnarchy Yes, and that's why I'm atheist!

[@vincentvillanueva2723]

How is there not a good documentary of Talleyrand of KZbin, such a fascinating and interesting character of his time? I know not

[@adrianjohnson7920]

There are many excellent ones, but unfortunately they are all in French.

[@stevenchoza6391]

Talleyrand is to 19th Century France what K’kruhk is to the Jedi of Star Wars Legends from the Clone Wars onwards: That one guy who somehow managed to inexplicably survive all the nonsense that surrounds them, giving Death the finger time and time again.

[@liaml.e.5964]

Him and Klemmens Von Metternich were such brilliant, fascinating and complex characters. They should be studied more by the general public.

[@meeeka]

Talleyrand was a true French Patriot, who knew how to live as an equally true aristo and make a generous living at the same time. He was a truly gifted diplomat. Women loved him, he loved women but not permanently; he had priorities after all. And after all, he orchestrated a brilliant Congress of Vienna, that pretty much kept peace in Europe for a century.

[@maximeperez-raymond3346]

Congrese of vienna of fail

[@adrianjohnson7920]

At Age 62 to his own surprise Talleyrand gradually recognised his soul mate, political colleague, and cherished companion for the rest of his life, his 22-year old niece by (unhappy) marriage, the politically brilliant and sophisticated Prussian Dutchess of Dino. Though he had been all his life notoriously attractive to women, for the first time he completely lost his heart to Dorothea, unappreciated wife of his feckless and boorish nephew. Despite passing affaires on her side (Talleyrand didn't mind so long as she always returned to him) they were both brilliant minds who were fascinated by, and admired each other's genius. Each had had suffered an emotionally deprived and lonely childhood, and this caused both for the first time to unreservedly trust & be tenderly protective of each other. After the Congress of Vienna, back in Paris they became lovers and in 1820 the Dutchess (under the fiction that the infant was her estranged husband's) bore Talleyrand their adored and angelic daughter Pauline. The Dutchess outlived her beloved Prince by many years, but nearing her end, asked that her heart be buried in Talleyrand's tomb.

[@kim2894]

De Gaulle: *takes notes* safest place for aspiring french politician... London.

[@archsteel7]

"Quick! Napoleon's escaped Arkham and taken over France!" Never fails to get a belly laugh out of me.

[@eedwardgrey2]

When Talleytand declared Parmesan the king of cheeses somebody allegedly quipped that's the only king he didn't betray.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

It was Brie -- he said Brie was the king of cheeses. (Parmesan is Italian!)

[@CollinMcLean]

@@adrianjohnson7920 I fully agree with that!

[@CG-yq2xy]

Laugh at this video all you want, but Talleyrand literally invented modern diplomacy, diplomatic etiquette and protocol as we know it. All the ways and behaviors that modern diplomats to this very day follow, were started by him more or less. Hence why, for up to the end of World War II, most people of any country who wanted to be a diplomat for their respective government had to learn French.

[@pierren___]

They totally existed before.

[@CG-yq2xy]

@@pierren___ Yes they did. But it was Talleyrand who 'modernized' the job to a form that we are familiar with, more or less. Actually now that I think about it, a lot of things that we take for granted in the modern nation - state (national armies, intelligence agencies etc.) were modernized in Napoleonic France.

[@pierren___]

@@CG-yq2xy yes totally.

[@midshipman8654]

…Idk if attributing the diplomatic language of the world being french solely to talyrad is fair. French was already the lingua franca of europe before talyrand was on the scene. Of course he didnt hurt French’s standing at all, but it was already there

[@RomanumChristum]

France was the lingua franca of diplomacy hundreds of years before Talleyrand was born lmao.

[@Borderose]

The Three Gods of Modern Europe: Talleyrand, Metternich, and Bismarck.

[@oaa-ff8zj]

Replace Bismarck with Castlereagh, Bismarck only cared about cautiously advancing German power, not european peace

[@christianwhittall5889]

@@oaa-ff8zj Yeah, peace is hardly relevant to historical importance. Besides, Bismarck literally formed one of the most important entities in all of European history and was pretty impressive. Castlereagh was a good statesman who was instrumental in the coalitions but he didn’t have anywhere near the amount of influence as Bismarck. Also, he didn’t care about peace either- he wanted to beat up France as much as Bismarck.

[@javieraravena5345]

@@christianwhittall5889 to be fair, most of Europe didn't care about peace and wanted to beat someone else. Oddly enough France was that someone else a lot of the time

[@PineappleLiar]

I just listened to a podcast about the French Revolution, and this guys was like the one guy who stuck around from beginning to end! You should do an episode on Toussaint Louverture, from the Haitian Revolution. Quite the story to be had there

[@stormsurge2103]

Or on General Tomas-Alexandre Dumas.

[@thepaleomancer4160]

He seems like the Anastas Mikoyan of France: the only original revolutionary to survive all the merry-go-round of regimes.

[@austenbin4068]

Tallyrand is one of the most fascinating tales of political survival in history! Ne needs more recognition.

[@MPHJackson7]

The man managed to be on the winning side of every conflict. I'm impressed.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

When asked what he did during the reign of Terror, he said simply, "I survived". He he cultivated many sources of information and intelligence, regularly meeting his women friends after Mass at Church where they would report political gossip from important men who attended their salons. He never underestimated the political intelligence and resourcefulness of women, and they rewarded his respect by being alert for information he could use. Talleyrand could read the zeitgeist farther ahead than other people, analyse all possible courses of action and consider unforeseen consequences, and navigate accordingly. Though he did not speak it fluently, Talleyrand understood and read English and followed English newspapers. He learned English for the 2+ years he was a refugee in Phildelphia during the reign of Terror, where he earned his living in banking and real estate speculation. He was 39 when he was ordered to leave England (where he lived 2 years escaping the reign of terror) because Peel mistrusted him as a possible spy for the revolution.

[@akramgimmini8165]

This Channel is perfect to learn about Strange people in History And there won't ever be a Shortage Keep up the good Work!👌

[@bracksampson1]

I've read that there is a theory that Talleyrand orchestrated Napoleons escape do to diplomacy issues with England. Also has anyone else read that he humiliated Napoleon on a rabbit hunt in paris?

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Yes, and he straight-faced arranged that a couple of domestic black pigs be released in his park for Napoleon to kill as "wild boar." Napoleon thought he was going to a wild forest where he could "go hunting" and instead, it was a large landscaped park and the servants and footmen could scarcely keep from laughing at Napoleon's strenuous efforts in "the hunt" .

[@misterangel8486]

The ultimate opportunistic burocrat. Impressive. Never in my life did I laugh so hard about a lesson in history😆😂 Thx Mr Rackham👌😎👍

[@The_Iowegian]

Funniest line: "That is Portugal, they're like 1% of Europe."

[@nicholassmirz6041]

Also Mike Duncan (History of Rome, and the Revolutions podcast) absolutely loves Talleyrand

[@christopherjohnson3311]

Woah. I had never heard of him before, and he seems like a brilliant figure.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Modern historians agree that Talleyrand was a pragmatic intellectual who channeled his genius into the field of politics and never made the mistake of being an ideologue. He developed (often recruiting intelligent women) his own network / sources of international intelligence, he was continually analysing the political trends and motives of his friends and enemies across Europe and even America. Agile, and versatile, he could usually react wisely to sudden crises because he never forgot the big picture or the long game. He was good at what we now call "systems analysis" His ability to understand economics, social trends, to read men, diplomatically coax them to do his will, and patient attention made him ready to weather unexpected setbacks or seize opportunity. Strategising for all possible outcomes made him extraordinarily able to think ahead of the zeitgeist towards the ultimate goal of a peaceful and economically stable France in a peaceful and economically stable Europe. He personally cultivated patience, control of his emotions, the ability to remain calm in crisis, and an unreadable, courteous manner so that no one ever knew what he was thinking.

[@avantelvsitania3359]

He also got reconciled with the Church at the end of his life, and died as a Bishop.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

So damn cool. Negotiating with God up to the last minute before he signs the recantation that gets the old sinner into Heaven😇 (though possibly with a long spell in Purgatory first) as he told his devoted niece, "I have never hurried, but always arrive on time"

[@kramp154]

''Napoleon its not worth it please!'' La marseiliese plays Great video thankyou guys

[@hexa3389]

Ackthually that was Le Chant du Depart, anthem of the French Empire. Napoleon banned La Marseillaise for whatever reason.

[@maximeperez-raymond3346]

@@hexa3389 honestly, la marseillaise wasn't better than le chant du départ. Le chant du départ was most patriotic.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

@@hexa3389 La Marseillaise was the theme of the Revolution, and Napoleon stated firmly in 1799 that "the revolution was over, and he embodied the ideals of the revolution in himself."

[@clementlefevre5384]

Austria had Metternich France had Talleyrand

[@Sevofthesands]

Part of me wants to dislike him for being so much of a political chameleon but I cant help but be damn impressed that he survived the french revolution and the napoleonic wars without dying.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

As another politician said of him, "How can you not love a man with so many elegant vices?"

[@heim8611]

this guy survived a hurricane by going with the flow.

[@dasasian6799]

so this is what radical centrism looks like

[@Alec11_43]

7:47 it actually makes perfect sense that King George III doesn’t response at all to this since by then he had completely lost his mind to the point that he couldn’t really comprehend things anymore.

[@Dostoron]

this guy was the designated driver during the times of france, and the only one committed to staying sober.

[@shrihithtalapaneni9227]

This would be like if someone was Secretary of State under Presidents Trump, Obama, W Bush, Clinton, HW Bush, and Reagan. Wow

[@davidcoquelle3081]

Talleyrand: eh now would be a great time to consolidate our gains, to peace in europe yeah Bonaparte: to peace in.. what is that, THAT RIGHT THERE Talleyrand: That is Portugal there like 1% of Europe Bonaparte: There Traitors (Traders) This is so tightly written, I really appreciate that effort

[@stephenflint3640]

Honestly, any man who can live through the largest, most tumultuous event to happen outside China or Russia, all while on the front lines of the of the hottest parts, and come it alive and well, deserves some major respect.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Talleyrand, the true Ultimate Opportunist..

[@adrianjohnson7920]

One of his women friends told him, 'God gave you the options of being either a snake or a tiger -- you chose to be an anaconda."

[@kabob0077]

Revolver Ocelot: *ROOKIE NUMBERS!*

[@genericyoutubeaccount579]

The virgin civ nationalist: My country when its right. The Chad Talleyrand: My country right or wrong

[@tyrongkojy]

"Look, guys, let's just be civil, don't bother the other nations, stop slaughtering each other, and you just declared war on our neighboring nations while slaughtering each other again....."

[@olefredrikskjegstad5972]

"Died, has he? I wonder what he meant by that?" - Attributed to Clemens von Metternich, upon hearing of Talleyrand's death.

[@midshipman8654]

I dont know who it was, but I loved the person who played Talleyrand in that 2002 Napoleon mini series. he was amazing. gave off this intelligent, but in it for his own feel

[@GuillaumeZahra]

Are you talking about the French serie played with Christian Clavier as Napeoleon. If so, if I remember right , Talleyrand was played by John Malkovitch

[@midshipman8654]

@@GuillaumeZahra yah, thats the guy, thanks for the name, really good actor.

[@hansrover3492]

If you read the book "The 48 Laws of Power", you probably have seen him a lot.

[@noynoybaqui]

Yea, Im surprise there hasnt been a lot of infomration about him

[@bcvetkov8534]

What's crazy is this video still doesn't do the man justice. He is so cool!

[@jonathanlee4511]

I first remembered when I watched the TV series Napoleon where the indomitable John Malkovich played Talleyrand (he was great btw) and I thought wow this fellow is such an interesting character! And he is! Also side note, but relavant, there's this part in the TV series where Napoleon calls Talleyrand "a shit in a stocking". Weird roast but hey it was funny.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

The appalled ministers who witnessed this public humiliation said that Prince Talleyrand, leaning with one hand on a small table ( he found it painful to stand for long because of his club foot, but did it anyway) stood motionless by the fireplace as Napoleon humiliated him in the coarsest language. Talleyrand endured it in silence, his face impassive, never moving a muscle until the meeting was over. Talleyrand's Olympian cool (result of life-long self-discipline concealing his emotions) drove Napoleon wild. Later, reclining on her couch to rest his aching leg, he described the incident to one of his women friends in her salon. The lady was outraged on his behalf, and said if it had been her, she would have picked up the fireplace poker and brained Napoleon as he spoke. Talleyrand with an ironic smile, said that "The thought had crossed his mind, but that he was too indolent to waste the effort on him."

[@jonathanlee4511]

@@adrianjohnson7920 what a fucking legend

[@Lotus77King]

I’m actually so early I didn’t even get a notification. That’s how I usually find your videos 😅

[@Dayvit78]

OMG OMG I never thought anybody would do a story about Talleyrand! What a guy!

[@lukesmith1818]

"states rise and fall but I do not"

[@ajshell2]

2:50 For those unaware, that's a picture from the Junji Ito horror manga "Uzumaki", which means "Spiral".

[@LEFT4BASS]

So, he’s the human embodiment of playing both sides so you always come out on top.

[@coryandrum]

You intro music is addicting, your the only history youtuber were I watched ever single video. Was disappointed it only took a day.

[@JackRackam]

😄 thank you kindly!

[@ahmedel-barbary336]

As soon as I saw the title , I knew it was that man. the synonymous of a band wagen politician

[@GustavoVeraScuderiPY]

That "Just Good Friends" is quickly becoming a classic.

[@comettamer]

Listening to a new Jack Rackham episode while I set up a router? Epic. Glad you're still around, Monsieur Rackham.

[@crimlex3733]

You should definitely do a video about Mansa Musa

[@commander_frog]

Damn, the most I got was 4 and it took a lot of chopping

[@acrispywaffleiron4014]

Hol up

[@TheKeyser94]

John Malkovich did great at the role of Talleyrand in the french/italian miniseries Napoleon, is aviable in KZbin with English dub or Spanish dub, there was an Italian dub, but only come out in the Rai TV Network decades ago

[@Lumosnight]

Has anyone seen the ‘Napoleon’ series where Talleyrand was portrayed by John Malkovich? He perfectly portrayed that snake of a politician

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Malkovich was perfect in that role; especially as he naturally speaks in a slow, measured pace, which I have read was also true of Talleyrand.

[@rejvaik00]

It's strange how Tallyrand is hated in the US but he's loved in France

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

Why so ? They are nice antipodes, so this is quite normal !

[@adrianjohnson7920]

During his lifetime, he wasn't that appreciated in France; however during his 4 year posting as French Ambassador in London in his 70's, he was greatly esteemed and popular in England, as both Political parties, and the general public appreciated that whatever his personal faults, he was a cooly courageous visionary statesman who worked for a stable and Prosperous France in a peaceful and stable Europe. AND he negotiated the "Entente cordiale" which ended centuries of English-French enmity, into the modern alliance we have today. Talleyrand was deeply touched at the warm tributes the English gave him near the end of his life. He had a lifelong admiration for England's constitutional monarchy and the workings of Parliament. Additionally, during his posting there, he helped negotiate the founding of the modern and neutral state of Belgium, and negotiated that France should also be signatory to the Quadruple Alliance.

[@rejvaik00]

@@adrianjohnson7920 pretty much a reverse of what happened to Otto von Bismarck where he was loved by Germans all across Germany during his lifetime but as the centuries passed that became less so Meanwhile in the US he became exceptionally well liked after his lifetime despite the fact he had no lasting legacy or history in the US

[@AYVYN]

@@rejvaik00We value strength, intelligence, and transparency.

[@rycolligan]

I mean, it seems like his one political belief is probably something along the lines of: Maybe everyone shouldn't be killing everyone else?

[@johnstopyracus5674]

great video sir! love it. Please keep them coming, youve inspired me to re start my drawing, for that I thank you.

[@JackRackam]

That's awesome, you go dude!

[@lebarondeminuit3580]

As a French, he's my favorite historic character