Maximilian I was the very picture of European chivalry—but his story ended in greed, disgrace, and betrayal. Maximilian would do anything to gain power, and in order to inch closer and closer to a throne, he manipulated his loved ones, vied for court supremacy, and, on one occasion, dealt the ultimate betrayal to his own wife. Maximilian certainly tried to play the game of thrones…but he lost more brutally than any ruler before or since.

Though his older brother was destined to rule in their home of Austria, Maximilian had no guarantee to any throne—and it bothered him to no end. So, when Napoleon III offered him the position of Emperor of Mexico, he jumped at the opportunity.

Everyone thought Maximilian was crazy. France had just recently conquered Mexico and its hold over the region was far from stable. Maximilian and his wife Charlotte landed in Veracruz, which just so happened to be a notorious bastion for a free republic of Mexico. They were met with an icy greeting—and their reign only got worse from there.

For three stubborn years, Maximilian fought to stay on the throne against immeasurable odds—completely unaware of the disturbing fate that awaited him. Mexican forces led by Benito Juarez stripped him of his power and sentenced him to be executed. Then, as Maximilian faced his firing squad, he made the most heartbreaking request to the enemy soldiers.

When he met the men who were about to shoot him, he insisted on speaking Spanish to them, and then gave each of the soldiers a gold coin. As Maximilian placed the coins in the mens’ hands, he made it clear to them that this was payment in advance for not shooting him in the face when they aimed and took fire. Why? Because when his body made it back to Austria, he wanted his beloved mother Sophie to be able to look at his face and recognize him.