Vater Rhein

More information about the history

Image: Lord Byron, portrait by Richard Westall, National Portrait Gallery, London

Listen in. Enjoy this audio excerpt from Lord Byron’s epic poem and immerse yourself in his experiences of the romantic landscape, full of world weariness and troubles of the heart, which caused a great sensation in its day.

Image: Cover (detail) Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 1825/1826

The first parts of “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”, penned by Lord Byron, were published for the first time in 1812 as Canto I and II, and they made the 24 year old poet famous overnight. The lengthy narrative poem is highly autobiographical and is based on Byron’s travels through Europe. However, aside from the literary recognition, he had a somewhat dubious reputation thanks to relationships with various women (including with his half sister Augusta Leigh), an extravagant lifestyle and unconventional political views. It is therefore no surprise that the life of the illustrious aesthete has been the theme of numerous literary works and the subject matter of several films.

Image: Anne Isabella, Lady Byron, 1815, unknown artist

Even his marriage to Lady Annabella Milbanke failed to stop Lord Byron from having more affairs, which led to his wife separating from him in 1816. In order to get away from his problems and to save his reputation which, despite his literary success, was seriously tarnished, Byron left England forever in 1816. On his way to Lake Geneva, he passed through the Rhine Valley. Rugged crags, picturesque ruins and the colours playing in the wide, flowing river became symbolic of the poet’s inner turmoil and emotional mindset.

Image: Title illustration, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, 1816, Canto III

The next part of “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage” was composed on the Rhine and was published at the end of 1816 as Canto III. In contrast to the first parts of the epic poem, the author himself appears on the scene; “Childe Harold” thus becomes the instrument for voicing Byron’s own beliefs. How much the landscape impressed him, how disappointed he was with the post-revolutionary political situation and how much further affairs and memories of his beloved half sister unsettled him are all immediately clear to the reader.

Image: James Holmes, Augusta Byron, painting from the 19th century

The key element of the third canto are the lines beginning with “The castled crag of Drachenfels”. After a lengthy hymn of praise to the hill, the landscape and the Rhine, Lord Byron yearningly addresses a sorely missed lover. On his own admission, his thoughts and his longings were for his half sister Augusta, with whom he had had an incestuous relationship for a period of time.

Image: English Tourists in Campagna, Carl Spitzweg, approx. 1845

Even though the motivation behind Byron’s travels on the continent was undoubtedly of a private nature, he was in the very best of company in those days. The “Grand Tour” was the name given to the typical educational trip through Europe – including on the Rhine – which was a tradition for the sons of the nobility, and later on of the upper middle classes, and was viewed as the culmination of a successful upbringing.

Practical information

The Siebengebirgsmuseum provides more information about Lord Byron, other Romantic movement poets and the history of travel along the Rhine
Siebengebirgsmuseum Königswinter, Kellerstraße 16
Tue–Fri 2 PM–5 PM, Sat 2 PM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM, Mondays closed > Website