· by emory-f8.bsky.social ·1d ago · view on bsky.app ↗

Did you know? In the Victorian era, a French lawyer traveled to South America, established his own kingdom, wrote a constitution, and crowned himself? Orélie-Antoine de Tounens declared the creation of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia.

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It shows a photograph of "King" Orélie-Antoine I

1 comments — live from bluesky

Emory 🩶 · 6 · 1d ago

Additional Facts: After learning Spanish, he traveled south into Araucanía, where the Mapuche had maintained a degree of independence. With the help of Mapuche leaders, he issued a decree announcing the establishment of a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. #Victorian #history

Emory 🩶 · 10 · 1d ago

Additionally: He hoped that France might eventually support his project. It did not. Instead, Chilean authorities moved against him. With the involvement of the French consul, the would-be monarch was placed aboard a ship and sent back to France in October 1862. #Victorian #history

Emory 🩶 · 9 · 1d ago

Also: He continued promoting his claim from France and maintaining what amounted to a royal court in exile. Other Europeans subsequently claimed succession to his throne, creating a line of pretenders that continued long after the original “king” was dead. #Victorian #history