Safely away from the capital, Ferdinand issued a proclamation condemning the actions of an ‘anarchical faction’ and calling for resistance; or rather, it was issued for him, since, though not unintelligent, he was incapable of ruling. He had a severe speech impediment, and suffered up to twenty epileptic fits a day (he had five when he tried to consummate his marriage, and not surprisingly, had no children). One of his few known coherent remarks was a reply to his cook, who had told him that he could not have apricot dumplings because apricots were out of season: ‘I’m the Emperor,’ Ferdinand
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