The Shocking & Mysterious Tale of the Dark Countess | The Dunkelgrafen

Welcome to Forgotten Lives! In today's episode we are looking into the life of the Dark Countess and her partner, a mysterious couple arrived to a town in central Germany who were centre of numerous theories due to their secret nature.
Unfortunate Ends/ My Other Channel: / @unfortunateends9240
Have any video suggestions?
Email me to: [e-mail]
Socials:
FL Instagram: / forgottenlivesyt
Personal Instagram: / nic0_waters
Intro Music - Echo by Broken Elegance 🎩 / brokenelegance. .
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
creativecommons....
Music promoted by Audio Library • Echo - Broken Elegance... ​​​​​​​​
Music playing throughout by Myuu - www.youtube.co....
#DarkCountess #ForgottenLives​​​​​​ #Mystery

[@tapsars7911]

Correction : Marie Antoinette and Louis the 16th had four children and not three . The youngest was a daughter called Sophie Beatrix who died at around ten months of age .

[@debbylou5729]

So ?

[@d00dl3s.d1d0pe]

Jeez debbie wtf?

[@tapsars7911]

@@debbylou5729 The narrator mentioned that they had three children , nothing else .

[@littlesongbird1]

So sad..this is why people should realize how lucky they are that we have access to doctors, and vaccines, and we can now prevent so many illness that killed children.

[@tuathadesidhe1530]

@@littlesongbird1 those diseases are MILD in a healthy body - ever wondered why there have been "antivaxxers" since the invention of vaccines? Medical records do not support your comment.

[@Blakeneyd]

She may not have been the princess but there’s still some mystery here. Nobody takes such pains to conceal their identity under regular circumstances. Not to mention keeping mostly indoors for the remaining years of your life. Sounds like a dull and lonely existence.

[@neilchisholm8376]

It could have been any of many women aristocrats that had been imprisoned and traumatised, and there were a lot. They were the lucky ones, 20,000 people mainly aristocrats were guillotined in the Terrior. Wanting to live a quiet secluded life after suffering in prison following the revolution would be so understandable. PTSD is not a modern issue. It maybe a modern diagnosis but I’d imagine there would be many instances thru out history where protagonists have resulted in PTSD following major events. The dark countess could have been any woman who was interned, never properly tried nor never properly judged, never knowing if her date on the scaffold was tomorrow. That would deeply scar you. A quiet solitude following release would be my personal wish for my strained nerves. I’m glad she found some form of peace following her release who ever she was.

[@sallyhazy]

what a shame is wasn't Marie Thérèse, that theory made for such a good story. Still, I wonder who the Dark Countess actually was

[@ruthanneseven]

I'm stunned that this poor lady was exhumed, for the macabre curiosity she evoked. Thank you for yet another interesting video.

[@ForgottenLives]

My pleasure!!

[@peggybrem2848]

Yeah where is the “real” Marie Therese buried?

[@akristen4971]

I was thinking the same thing

[@Blakeneyd]

I agree. Seems to me if she didn’t wish her real name on her grave, nobody had any business digging it up, tantalizing as the mystery may be.

[@randombrokeperson]

And it all ended up for nothing so that poor lady’s wishes ended up being dishonored. At this point, everyone should consider cremation if they don’t want to be “bothered” in death either. Sad. 6/26/22 ☀️ 1223

[@tobyeperkins5301]

It seems logical to me that woman could easily have been the surviving Princess’s playmate, especially since she looked so much like the Princess. She easily could have lost her life in the revolution and probably didn’t want to be “recognized”due to her own trauma.

[@ForgottenLives]

Good point!

[@oppaloopa3698]

*child She was round 13 when they arrived. Not a woman. She was a child.

[@csco8586]

Childhood is a fairly knew concept. At this time, 13 was not a “child.”

[@hyperactivehyperbole]

@@oppaloopa3698 The minimum legal age of marriage was 12 years for women and 14 years for men. In addition, it was possible for the couple to get engaged at the age of 7, this is around the time frame of the 18th century. I think it’s safe to say once you are old enough to marry, you’re an adult. It’s completely outrageous today, but was what it was back then. And I agree, childhood is a new ideology. If you were in the upper class, you became engaged and then married as soon as possible to further family socio-political -economical reason or standing also to hopefully guarantee the continuation of you patriarchal line. And the lower class typically to get your children out into the world =having less mouths to feed in household and sometimes making connections within similar standing families such as the upper class had done but tweaked per what class and what families could have and offer.

[@MyPantsAreSassy]

@@oppaloopa3698 - entering her 30th year not 13th year

[@VeracityLH]

Terrific video. I love that you talk about people not often seen elsewhere. Small clarification: in discussing the DNA, you refer to Prince Alexander of Saxony (or Saxe-Gessaphe) as the descendant of Marie-Antoinette. For many viewers the assumption is that "descendant" means a direct descendant. Marie-Antoinette has none as all four of her children died childless. In genealogy we refer to direct descendants and collateral descendants. A collateral descendant is a descendant of one's sibling. Prince Alexander is a descendant of Marie-Antoinette's sibling Maria-Carolina, so he is a collateral descendant of Marie-Antoinette. The reason his DNA was useful here is that his descent can be traced through a purely female line. Mitochondrial DNA is passed through the mother. Prince Alexander carries the mtDNA of Empress Maria-Theresa, the mother of Maria-Carolina and Marie-Antoinette. Marie-Antoinette's daughter would have carried the same mtDNA. So one can say that he is the collateral descendant of Marie-Antoinette or the direct descendant if Maria-Theresa. But if you say he is simply "the descendant" of Marie-Antoinette many will be confused. I hope that clears up confusion for those wondering how. Marie-Antoinette could have any direct descendants. Similarly, this is how it was proved that Anna Anderson was not Anastasia Romanov. In that case the DNA used was from Prince Philip of the United Kingdom, a cousin who f Anastasia. So why not use the DNA of Elizabeth II or Prince Charles, who were also cousins? Because Philip's DNA was from an unbroken female line--his mother's--where Elizabeth and Charles had at least one male in their line. Cheers. 🤓

[@sierrajohnson717]

I also wonder if this story inspired the arrival of the Villains in Shiki. A mysterious couple arrive in a small town, and move into a huge castle on top of a hill in town, they always keep to themselves and are rarely seen or socialize with anyone and when they do they act super weird. But instead of secret royalty, we find out they’re actually vampires and literally will burn if they go out in the day, so the seclusion is explained

[@sutomuarashi]

shiki mentioned RAAHHHHHHHHHH

[@a.klatten8704]

So wonderful you picked this topic! Thank you so much! :) She was called "Die Dunkelgräfin". I visited her grave in Hildburghausen some month ago. The grave is empty by now as some old people who live in Hildburghausen their entire life told me. Hildburghausen is located in the former East Germany. What an interesting visit it was - no matter what. Greetings from Bavaria / Konigssee

[@hyperactivehyperbole]

Really interesting story, I haven’t heard this one yet and get so excited when I stumble across a video that others haven’t covered and it’s brand new to me. Awesome work, keep posting ❤️ your channel!

[@wanderinghistorian]

"Maybe it's a missing princess!" It's never a missing princess folks.

[@dy9278]

This gentleman is very enjoyable to listen to and has some interesting tales. Also very open to suggestions and input.

[@FinnishLapphund]

I would presume they had to have had an above average fortune, if they could buy both a castle, some land (garden nearby!?), and live there without working, in his case, for around 40 years. So I think there's still an unknown, interesting story behind this, even though it has been proven that she wasn't the daughter of Marie Antoinette.

[@CuteDwarf11]

Thank you for taking the time to find interesting people forgotten by time, and tell their stories.

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks for listening :)

[@MariaAbrams]

I love that your videos aren't about the same people I see in every video on every channel. I've never heard of most of your cases/stories before and I really like that. Thank you! 💚

[@ruthanneseven]

👋👋👋👋👋👋👍💖

[@ForgottenLives]

Glad to hear ir! Thanks:)

[@iconsnart]

Your videos are my bedtime stories! Just love them. I would love to see something about some Swedes; Erik the 14th and his common wife, Karin Månsdotter? Just dont portray him as crazy, thats so old ;) Queen Kristina, who abdicated, converted to catholic and had a cardinal lover in Rome for over 20 years? Count Axel von Fersen, the lover and possible father of Marie Antionettes youngest child, is quite the story, too. These might not be forgotten enough though :) In that case, we have the sleeper of Oknö: would be very interesting to hear your take. It is said she fell asleep at 14, and slept for 30 years, or until she was 32..? I think she and her mother did some scam, why? No idea. Karolina (hansson? Soverskan på Oknö) Id also like to see about Madame du Barry. I have seen her deathmask at versaille, she was so extremly beautiful!

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks for the support snd suggestion, will look into it!

[@tuathadesidhe1530]

I watched something on the sleeping lady recently - she had a medical condition.

[@makeupboss3568]

This was quite an interesting story. This is new to me, when I saw this I had to see it. This poor lady was never identified… quite sad . She evokes so much mystery , …. It would be nice to know who she really was .

[@zahria]

You are doing quite well with all those languages ! May i help you along a bit with the akwardness of German? "Dunkele Gräfin" is spoken like : Dunkel -la Gray-finn Ä in German is very similar to the A in American English. Like in: Änyone, Änyhow.Händ. A in German is always the A you would use in Have, harbour, hard . Ö in German sounds like the E in Nerd "Nörd" or heard "hörd" turf "törf". O sound is always a bit longer. Like the O in "over" E sound is always like in Elevator, Elegance Ei is the sound "ai" Only the Ü is hard to explain. I understand it was used in the "Uber" at the start of the business? Über makes sense. Since it means above, via, along. Well- maybe this can be helpfull when in doubt? Thank you for your amazing work. Your videos are so interesting and enjoyable 🙏

[@makeupboss3568]

German can be quite difficult for people who are unfamiliar with the the pronunciations . I tried to learn a little. My cousin taught German before she decided to get married and have a child. It’s definitely a hard language to try .

[@robertlevine2827]

Umlauts are our friends.

[@carolannemckenzie3849]

So is the circumflex...😉

[@VeracityLH]

Thank you zahria. I don't know about our narrator but this helped me a lot. 🤓

[@magesalmanac6424]

What a fun mystery ! I envy them for living their life if contentment and seclusion.

[@victorioify]

Now that was very interesting! This is the first time I have heard of this story!

[@ForgottenLives]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I am glad she was not Marie-Therese. Poor woman.

[@debbralehrman5957]

You always bring us such unique stories. They are very compelling thank you.

[@ForgottenLives]

My pleasure!

[@barrydysert2974]

Who wouldn't want to live a private life in a secluded castle in rural Germany? !:-) 🙏

[@makeupboss3568]

Oooh , sounds amazing.

[@kj-my7se]

No way!

[@venus_envy]

As long as it's not Germany, I would.

[@Detroit_Paul]

I love these videos with the old paintings, keep it up ;-)

[@sierrajohnson717]

Imagine being like a socially disabled lady minding your buisiness to the FULLEST EXTENT and long after you and your caretaker die, your old neighbors are like “OKAY BUT WAS SHE THE PRINCESS???”

[@seanfay6954]

Thank You so very much for your Beautiful, Fascinating and informative video!! Everything You have put out has been wonderful. I look forward to seeing you all the time!! Namaste'

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@marcoaureliofernandezreyes1413]

To be honest, I was expecting something more sinister, but, I think I'm glad this case was "just" some other fancy people of that era. Good video, FL.

[@ELKE-]

Thank you for fantastic video! The words spoken was well put. Very fond of you and your channel

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks for the support as always 🙏

[@ELKE-]

@@ForgottenLives No mention! Always here to support you. Goodnight

[@jflan92]

I learnt the details and the circumstances of the Dark Countess from the biography "Marie-Therese: The Fate Of Marie-Antoinette's Daughter" by Susan Nagel. Ernestine Lambriquet wasn't the Dark Countess as many believed her to be as Ernestine died in 1813.

[@MichielBLKorte]

True. I wrote a book on Ernestine and did a lot of research, hoping to incorporate the Dark Countess' story in "Ernestine", but sadly the two incredible tales are unlinked.

[@WhitneyDahlin]

@@MichielBLKorte yeah I agree. I thought this mystery was already solved. The man has already been identified. He was the Dutch ambassador who was living at the Embassy in Paris before the revolution. And he married a woman named sophia. And the dark countess was buried under the name Sophia as well. So it seems pretty obvious that's who it is. It is him and his wife I don't know why he wanted to pretend like she wasn't his wife. Maybe he thought the revolution was looking for him and it would be easier to hide from them if they were looking for a married couple. And the Count pretended to be single? Or maybe she was his daughter who was named after her mother and that's why he's so adamantly denied they were together. It's also possible that the count was gay and he married Sophia as a cover? Idk I just wonder why the woman hid her face

[@msdanascully11]

How interesting!!! How come I had never heard of this before?? You always have such amazing stories to tell, love this channel! 🧡

[@59tante]

Quite a tangled web. Great story

[@isrisentoday]

Excellent video! What an engrossing story, I didn't even plan on finishing it. But I was hooked from start to finish.

[@Heothbremel]

That sounds like such a ghost story from the start. And I feel like I've read it in a fairy tale that must have pulled from these two... Now i know the reference! :)

[@ForgottenLives]

Im sure if the house/castle was still around, there would be ghosts 😁

[@Meydoosa]

My money would be on illegitimate royalty of some kind. Or simply a French noble who was trying to keep her head during a time when many others were losing theirs.

[@d.l.l.6578]

How did they get food? Who maintained the castle? Did they have a staff?

[@sarabrown56]

There was always staff and it's rarely mentioned. There's a lot of upkeep in places like this

[@robertlevine2827]

I'd piss myself laughing if it turned out they were Kaspar Hauser's parents.

[@trj1442]

That was an excellent episode. Thankyou for your awesome content.

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@trj1442]

@@ForgottenLives perhaps a forgotten life you may be interested in is that of Nicolas Baudin, an amazing French explorer who is very much unsung. Definitely a forgotten life that should be remembered.

[@sandywichmann9292]

I wonder if it couldn’t have been Ernestine who had convinced a benefactor that she was Marie Therese and needed assistance. Or she could have been the illegitimate daughter of a noblewoman whose existence had to be hidden, but also was supposed to have a higher standard of living.

[@jessica.L.edwards]

This is fascinating, and now I really want to know more about it! Great, informative video, as always!

[@matthewwaters5317]

What an amazing story, this mus be one of the best channels on YT

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks 👊

[@RSZ229]

Fascinating! I read they're also not 100% sure what happened to one of their sons.

[@vintagegal541]

This was a fascinating story. I had never heard of this. Thank you for adding the story of Marie-Therese Charlotte. I knew that one of the children did survive the revolution, but I didn't know their story.

[@migulikutiwolfe1859]

Love the way you tell a story!

[@pushinkeys]

Great videos! I always learn something new even on a subject I’ve already heard of.

[@ForgottenLives]

Thank you 😊

[@annehelenegroven]

This was a very interesting story. I really enjoy watching your videos because you always have stories that I haven't heard about. So thank you. I enjoy these dives into history and learning more about different countries. Have a wonderful Sunday. Greetings from Anne-Helene in Norway 🤗☺️🤗

[@name1of3]

Wow!! I've never heard this theory. Thank you for your work.

[@destinymitchell944]

I ❤️ your stories. I get hella juiced when I see that you have a new video. This guy definitely does his homework. Good job bro.

[@tjb70]

Fascinating! Nico Waters, I love how your pronunciation is always spot-on for foreign names & places. I am a language professor if that means anything. 👨‍🏫

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks very much!!

[@carolannemckenzie3849]

Perhaps you can assuage my curiosity then. Where do you think the narrator is from? His accent intrigues me...😁

[@leen894]

This was so fun! I enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@ForgottenLives]

Glad to hear :)

[@kaarlimakela3413]

The power of small-town gossip!!!

[@Avievan91]

Another great video , and your voice is like silk as always ❤️

[@Sorchia56]

You often pique my curiosity to learn more about the stories you bring to us that I’ve not heard of! Thank you, it makes life much more fun. I’m appalled that the poor woman was exhumed though. Curiosity is one thing, desecrating the dead is vile to appease said curiosity. Why was the man with her not exhumed as well, if it were such a deep mystery that just had to me solved? Many, to this day, must mask themselves when going to other countries for their safety. So pleased we’re all being cremated, I shudder to think of the consequences decades ahead if not!

[@jamiegregg9211]

it was a cool video really enjoyed it love these videos looking forward to the next one

[@ForgottenLives]

Glad to hear, thanks 😊

[@Athlynne]

Interesting! Minor correction - you omitted Marie Antoinette's youngest and fourth child, Sophie Helene Beatrice. EDIT: Also, Marie Antoinette has surviving relatives, but not descendants.

[@annogrady3349]

I do enjoy your historical videos. Do continue to bring us more. Many thanks

[@Weeeewriter]

Both my parents are French and this video was so intriguing. Thank you!!

[@peggybrem2848]

Could not the Princesses playmate have been whisked away by a man of the Court or even a servant who magically kept his own or newly acquired riches. It was said that she was accosted in the streets & I imagine that she took up with him as she certainly had nobody else.

[@ladycharlotte8693]

This is the BEST story telling channel…..and probably the first….there were no others a few months ago, imitation is a form of flattery…..but I love your style of speech and art, thanks so much!

[@InLoveWithFashionxox]

This was a great one, thank you!

[@ForgottenLives]

Glad to hear!

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I've enjoyed every video you posted ☺️

[@ForgottenLives]

Happy to hear!!

[@tuathadesidhe1530]

Marie-Antionette's oldest daughter died as a baby just before she had Marie-Therese, it is speculated that was a contributing factor in her adopting the young girl (and not her brother)

[@bobbyrutherford9359]

This channel always has great content and I enjoy the narrating as well

[@JennMartinello]

If you like this you all fall in love with the best KZbinr @TheDisturbingTruth I like this channel, Sarian, Ballen, and The Disturbing Truth w/Mr. Black

[@ahuddleston6512]

Yeah!!!! Perfect. I was waiting for your video.

[@ForgottenLives]

Enjoy!

[@Mpatton1845]

Great job!

[@ForgottenLives]

Thanks 👊

[@grapeshot]

So there's a Dark Countess just seen a documentary on The Blood Countess.

[@ForgottenLives]

Indeed! Hope you enjoy 😁

[@danyf.1442]

@@ForgottenLives yesss countess Bathory, please do a video on her! Great work as usual on this one btw!🙂

[@haileybalmer9722]

I don't know. As you were telling the story, I kept thinking, isn't it more likely The Dark Countess was Ernestine? It seems to make a lot more sense to me if this child, ripped from palace life and thrust into the spotlight, was done being a public figure. Asking her childhood friend and foster sister for a stipend and hiding her face so she'd never again be mistaken for the princess, she left to live a quite life of comfort, as she'd grown accustomed to in her childhood.

[@VeracityLH]

Except that Ernestine was documented elsewhere and died in 1813. For her to be the Dark Countess you'd have to have a third woman who took the identity of the Ernestine who died in 1813.

[@crystalgreen3677]

Interesting theory with great facts to back it. I’m glad KZbin put you on my suggested page. Subscribed and liked!

[@hopedunkel2298]

Excellent mystery.

[@josecarlosxyz]

channel without ads is so better

[@vononymous8054]

Excellent video and quality. Narration, photos and subjects are unique and very intriguing. Keep Rising,young man. You are Appreciated 👍🏾👍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@lozdyer1087]

Thanks for another interesting story :)

[@marmill_]

Love this channel so much I adore vintage crime and mysteries but this channel always has stories I’ve never heard before and I adore the narrators slight accent

[@TecOneself]

How enjoyable, thank you, mysteries are always interesting. I hope you enjoy it too, I'm a new subscriber now.

[@mytwocents848]

Your videos are so well done and so interesting. I am a history lover and I've learned much by watching. It is hard to tear myself away from them. Thank you!

[@m.f.richardson1602]

Always interesting. Thank you. Peace 💕🇺🇲

[@melly9037]

Now I know where the hammer house horror stories came from, great upload 👍 👌

[@carolwilson8620]

Love the sound of your voice and your storytelling it was very compelling it kept my intrest looking forward to more of your history stories.

[@Dakota88]

Haven't heard this story yet! I really enjoyed it! I do wish we knew who they were though!

[@maryroberts9315]

Great episode!

[@dianawatton7570]

I love history I had never heard this story before. Thank you so very much you certainly peaked my interest and held me in awe as you spoke. It was very interesting besides which I love a good mystery!

[@juniorperez8789]

I love your historical biographies on everything Europe/Asia regions

[@erikamarie5535]

Wow, interesting! Nice video 👍

[@marciamathis2928]

Fascinating story!! I very much enjoy your videos & appreciate all the time, effort and hard work you put into these gems; thank you so much!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@playdohmasochist]

Goddamn how much milk did she need in that tea!!!!!

[@mariamidgett1631]

Thank you! I was wondering if anyone else thought that! 😆

[@ellalord9705]

Wonderful story , thankyou.

[@RealearthRocks]

What a riveting story, You had me sitting on the edge of my seat.

[@ToTheeOBlessedJoseph]

Fascinating. Thank you for producing these vids. 👍

[@bbr6444]

If that was Marie-Therese no wonder she hid her face. She must have been terrified.

[@helenwhite2379]

Excellent video 👍

[@wildcolonialman]

Fascinating. Fine researching.

[@leilacaress3620]

Omg you sound so much like Briefcase its awesome. Loved the video, gonna binge your channel!!

[@lowrider81hd]

It used to be so easy to just leave and go somewhere else and live a brand new life. I certainly understand the need, even 200 or 100 years ago.

[@kimberlypatton9634]

Fascinating story! Your German pronunciation is impeccable! Much love!🥰♥️

[@inforadargermany1283]

Sorry, but the German pronounciation (also the French btw) is totally false

[@doonewatts7155]

Fascinating thank you

[@zenolachance1181]

Well we have the DNA and it has progressed enough by 2022 where they can do a forensic genealogy and find out just who she was.or at least who her ancestors are... it could have been the other child. Mitochondrial DNA only finds the mother they could do a complete DNA and see if King Louis was her father

[@iconsnart]

Yes, now they need to test more. I know that its possible to search relatives through DNA, so many people through for example " my heritage" and such, its possible to find her relatives/blood line, royal or not. Fun to solve a mystery!

[@snakey319]

or they just were vampires living their lives.

[@amandadonegan2137]

Yes...Old Royal Vampires 😎

[@sophitsa79]

Exactly. I thought it was a bit of a waste to go to all that trouble and only test the mitochondrial DNA. If they had tested autosomal DNA as well they could have demonstrated at least some level of link between King Louis and her. If there was no link then I suppose it doesn't say much, but at least they could have investigated the veracity of that story

[@brookeseimears4887]

Well done young sir. I don't love history but you make it real!

[@neilchisholm8376]

Fascinating! Great story!

[@kathleenvalianti8332]

Very nice video. Well done!!!

[@thurstonthistle9059]

I would think that they would go further with Sophie's DNA I mean just because she wasn't a relative of Marie-Antoinette dosen't mean her intrigue is lessened. Need a philanthropist to indulge or maybe group funding!

[@lb8141]

Fantastic!

[@donnamcnicol5247]

They have the Dark Countess' DNA so they could do her family tree and finally solve the mystery.