GREAT QUEENS MEN COULDN’T ERASE FROM HISTORY
In questa edizione del GB express è stata finalmente inserita una nuova rubrica: falling stories, nella quale si parlerà di eventi che in qualche modo hanno segnato la storia per la loro importanza.
Inauguriamo la nascita di questa rubrica grazie al contributo di Giada che ha scritto per noi la storia di due regine e imperatrici europee, le quali, nonostante fossero donne e quindi poste ai margini della società, si sono distinte e ancora adesso le ricordiamo tra le sovrane più famose.
We always see titles like “Emperors who shaped history” or “Great kings of the past”, but what about women?
Queens and Empresses have always been put aside in favour of their sons, brothers and husbands, who have stolen their spotlight! In this article we’re going to talk about two European women who have ruled and rocked History, defeating all attempts at erasure by sexist historians! As we all know, Britain is remembered for its outstanding monarchies, so don’t be too surprised if you see many English ladies in this list!
Anne Boleyn – Queen of England (1501-1536)
Anne was unfortunately introduced to the international diplomatic scene quite early and, just as early, she lost her head. Literally, since her loving husband, Henry VIII, beheaded her. What a romantic gesture, don’t you think so?
Furthermore, during her reign she was often demonised and linked to the figure of a seducing woman, who caused the emanation of the Act of Supremacy (1533) and the separation of the Church of England from the Church of Rome.
In reality though, truth could not be more different!
Contrarily to common belief, she initially tried to escape Henry’s attentions, even after he sister Mary had been his mistress. Unfortunately she was unable to refuse him and, after a year of secret marriage and the publication of the Act of Supremacy, she officially married him.
After giving birth to Elisabeth I, she had to make space to the next victim wife, at the time pregnant with a child who would then become Henry VIII’s only male child.
It is said that Queen Anne chose to be executed, rather than divorcing and giving up her daughter’s right to the throne. Thanks to her sacrifice she is now widely known as one of the most influential Queen Consorts England has ever had. Additionally, she has become an inspiration and source of uncountable movies and tv series and, together with the other unlucky wives of Henry VIII.
Elizabeth II – Queen of the UK (1926-2022)
Who doesn’t know her? The (now not so) immortal Queen who ruled England (centre of crazy Alien related theories).
This amazing monarch was able to conquer even Netflix with the tv series “The Crown”. Elizabeth II, who left us not long ago, had been holding onto her throne since 1952.
Some were beginning to wonder if she was going to outlive her son too, causing the crown to skip a generation. However ironic and funny that may have been, it didn’t happen. Unfortunately, Queen Elizabeth II is now gone and the new national hymn of the UK is now “God save the King”.
Giada 4al