The Last Love of Emperor Charles

The novel The Last Love of Emperor Charles tells the almost forgotten story of Guillaume, the only historically documented illegitimate son of Emperor Charles IV. The Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor likely met Guillaume's mother in 1365 during one of his journeys to Avignon, where his repeated efforts to restore the papal see to Rome had led him. He also stayed in nearby Arles during his coronation as King of Arles. At that time, Charles IV was at the height of his power and had achieved much, if not everything, as a ruler – he had recently entered into a favourable political marriage with Elizabeth of Pomerania, a diplomatic move that successfully suppressed growing opposition to his power. And yet now, at almost fifty years old, he realised that a deep emotional connection was missing from his life. Just as he had almost given up on his dream of personal happiness, he met the charming and noble Margaret of Arles. He spent idyllic days with her in Arles and Avignon, and upon his return to Prague, he learned that Margaret had borne him a son, Guillaume.