Inspiration from imposters

Many writers are inspired by what-if stories. For example: what if Mallory and Irvine had made it to the top of Everest in 1924 or what if Anastasia had not been killed in 1918.

The life, death and possible survival of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia have already inspired several books and films. Her supposed escape from death has proved to be one of the most popular mysteries of the 20th century. Many of these mysteries include pretenders claiming to have been the escaped Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia.

The most famous of these is Anna Anderson. A cursory glance at her life is enough to spark off my imagination. In the early 1920s, Anderson appeared at an asylum in Germany after trying to kill herself by jumping off a bridge in Berlin. She at once set about informing the asylum staff that she was Princess Anastasia. Her claim was helped by the fact that she looked like Anastasia and that she had an in-depth knowledge of the Russian royal family. Many people – including relatives of Anastasia - were convinced by Anderson.

In 1927, a former friend of the “Duchess” appeared and claimed that “Anastasia” was, in reality, Franziska Schanzkowska. Nonetheless, Anderson never wavered from her claim and she stayed with her story until her death in 1984.

The legend of Anastasia has already inspired books and films but my own interest centres on the idea of the imposter. How is it that imposters often get away with their lie for so long? How is it that we believe that people are who they say they are? What motivates the imposter? Are they just excited by the prospect that life’s possibilities are literally endless? Let us know what you think. You can comment below!

Comments

[Ranald Barnicot]

One of the most fascinating imposters in history, for me, was Perkin Warbeck, who pretended to be Richard, Duke of York,the younger son of Edward IV though being in fact(?) the son of a Flemish boatman. He claimed to have escaped from the Tower and therefore not to have been bumped off on the orders of his uncle, Richard III, along with his brother, Edward V. Perkin seems to have convinced many high-ranking and influential 'players', including his Edward IV's sister, Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, and James IV of Scotland. The question, though, is whether they were really convinced, or whether they went along with his claims because they hated Henry VII, the Tudor "usurper", so much that they were prepared to support any rival, however low-born.Another puzzle is why Henry, after Warbeck had been defeated and captured, spared his life for a time and kept him around at the court.What was the reason for this contemptuous clemency? However, he was eventually moved to the Tower and his attempt to escape sealed his fate. I recommend the biography of Warbeck by Ann Wroe (if I remember rightly).

[Robert Goddard]

Thanks for that, Ranald. I am about to post several pieces about "odd," outrageous or simply fascinating people lost to history in the coming days and weeks. I hope you find them as interesting. I do remember Perkin from A-level history 50 years ago!!