Royal Scandals: Is It Really So Wrong to Marry for Love?

For centuries, nations have been captivated by royal scandals. These scandals range in topic from murder at the darkest end of the spectrum and to scandals regarding love on the other end. Sometimes the two mix. Some of the stories are tragically romantic. No one nation has had more intriguing scandals than England. Let's take a look at them, shall we?

Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville:

Edward IV was king of England from 1461-1470 and again from 1471 until his death in 1483. Edward was the first Yorkist king to rule England. His reign came during one of England's most famous civil wars, the Wars of the Roses.

Edward IV

Interesting Fact - The Wars of the Roses was so called because each house's symbol was a rose. The Lancasters were represented by a red rose while the Yorks were represented by a white rose. When the Wars of the Roses finally ended due to Henry Tudor, a Lancaster and later Henry VII, defeating Richard III, a Yorkist, the red and white roses were combined to create what has been dubbed the Tudor rose. This only occurred after Henry VII married Edward IV's daughter, Elizabeth of York, effectively uniting the two families and ending the civil war. 

The Tudor Rose

Edward IV was well liked by his subjects and the members of his court until he announced that he intended to marry Elizabeth Woodville - a commoner. Back then, and even today, it was unheard of for a monarch to marry a commoner. Of course Edward's court was upset because he hadn't married one of the nobility's daughters. I think it's inspiring that he married for love. 

Elizabeth Woodville

Edward and Elizabeth's sons, Prince Richard and Edward V, would later go missing after their father's death. In what has been called one of the greatest historical mysteries of all time, the so called "Lost Princes" disappeared while awaiting Edward V's coronation in the Tower of London. Speculation would place their deaths in the hands of their uncle who was crowned, Richard III, upon their disappearance. 

Edward and Elizabeth's daughter, Elizabeth of York, meanwhile, would later marry Henry VII of the House of Tudor and end the Wars of the Roses with her marriage. Her son is the infamous King Henry VIII. 

Philippa Gregory, the famed English historical fiction writer, wrote a novel titled The White Queen that is about Elizabeth Woodville and her rise to power. On August 10, Starz plans to premiere a new show entitled, The White Queen, which will be based off the novel. 

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn:

In the 16th century, Henry VIII fell in love with his wife, Catherine of Aragon's, lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. Anne was the niece of one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard. Henry tried turning Anne into his mistress, but she would not allow that to happen. Unlike the previous women Henry had had relationships with, Anne refused to be a mistress - she demanded to be Henry's queen. 

Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

The only problem with Anne's demand was that Henry was already married to Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V's, aunt. When Henry petitioned the Pope to have his marriage to Catherine annulled on the grounds that she had previously been married to Henry's brother, Prince Arthur, the Holy Roman Emperor captured the Vatican and held the Pope prisoner until he refused Henry's request.

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

An angry Henry split with the Roman Catholic Church, proclaiming England Protestant and establishing the Church of England. It has long been assumed that Anne was instrumental and bringing Henry to this decision as she had studied the Protestant faith while she was serving Henry's sister, Princess Mary, in France. 

Once the Church of England was established, Henry called upon his Archbishop of Canterbury to annul his marriage to Catherine. This was promptly done and Henry married Anne in May of 1533. In September of 1533, Anne had a baby girl, Princess Elizabeth. Henry, while in love with Anne, was determined to have a son. 

After several miscarriages and a stillbirth, Henry put Anne on trial for adultery. Most historians agree today that all crimes attributed to Anne were false and only placed against her in order for Henry to divorce her without looking like a fool for having broken with the Catholic Church. Anne was sentenced to death for her crimes.

There is a tale of a prophecy that a 16th century English queen would be burned at the stake for her crimes and according to one of Anne's ladies, the Queen was terrified that the prophecy foretold of her fate. Henry; however, had different plans. He declared that Anne would be executed by beheading. In a later letter, Henry would write to Anne that he was sending a French swordsman for her execution as he had heard they were more skilled and less painful than axemen. He proclaimed he was doing it because, "You see, my dear, I still love you." 

Although Henry was eager to have a son, it would be his daughter with Anne, Elizabeth I, who would become one of England's most beloved and accomplished queens. 

Henry and Anne's daughter, Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I and Sir Robert Dudley:

Henry VIII's daughter with Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, would later have her own love scandal once she was queen. Elizabeth had grown up with Sir Robert Dudley, the son of a traitor. When she became queen, she kept Robert close by her side and named him her Horsemaster. Later, she would give him the title of Earl of Leicester. She would also bestow upon him several properties as a way for him to gain money.

Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley

Elizabeth's court was jealous of how close she was with Robert Dudley and blamed him as the reason the queen refused to marry. Elizabeth allowed Robert to call her by her childhood nickname, Bess, and allowed his advice on matters of state. In fact, many members of Elizabeth's court called Robert Dudley king in all but name.

There is speculation that Elizabeth would have married Robert had he not already rushed into marriage with Amy Robsart at a young age. There are reports of Elizabeth telling Robert that had he not been so hasty, he could have had her. When Amy was found dead two years into Elizabeth's reign, the people believed that Robert Dudley had arranged for Amy to be murdered in order to marry the queen. If the two really were planning on getting married, the outrage from the people put an ends to this hope.

The Famous Portrait of Amy Robsart's Death

Robert stayed by Elizabeth's side his whole life. From historical accounts, there is no doubt that the two were best friends and possibly lovers. Many conspiracy theorists claim that Elizabeth had Robert's child. That will be another post later. Personally, Elizabeth and Robert's story is my favorite. It's truly romantic.

Some of the best books I have read about Elizabeth and Robert's romance are:

The Secret Letters of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell
The Queen's Bastard by Robin Maxwell
The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase
The Virgin Queen's Lover by Philippa Gregory

Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson:

In 1936, Queen Elizabeth II's uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the British throne because he wanted to marry, Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. Edward began his relationship with Wallis several years before he became king and many times of those years, Edward's father, King George V, told him that he could not be with Wallis.

Edward and Wallis

When Edward became king, he kept Wallis at his side. The whole country was beside itself. Not only was Wallis an American with no noble blood, but she had been divorced twice before. Edward was warned by several of his council members that if he were to attempt to marry Wallis, he would have to abdicate the throne.

Edward and Wallis on their wedding day

Following his heart, on December 11, 1936, Edward abdicated the British throne to marry his love. The two later married in France and Edward was giving the title, Duke of Windsor, by his brother, King George VI. The two never met face to face after Edward abdicated and George refused to go to Edward's wedding. In fact, none of the members of the royal family attended the wedding. Edward's abdication was a sore spot with the royal family for years.

It wasn't until 1972 when Edward was dying of lung cancer that his niece, Queen Elizabeth II, visited him. Although frail and in the hospital, Edward still insisted on standing and bowing to his niece when she entered as she was his queen. When Edward died later that year, Elizabeth stood beside his widow in comfort in what was the first time the royal family had been shown to accept Wallis.

Edward and Wallis' story has long been considered a modern love story.

Links:
Marrying For Love Article
Anne Boleyn: More Information
Elizabeth and Robert
Edward and Wallis