J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit adventure that preceded it are full-fledged mythologies and histories unto themselves, making it a little strange to discuss the impact of real-world mythology and history on Tolkien’s saga. But the list of historical references in The Lord of the […]
Charles II of England – the so-called “Merry Monarch” – had a legendary love life. His mistresses were visible, integral members of his court. Stories of their affairs with the king, and their rivalries with each other, have echoed through the centuries. Born in 1630, Charles spent much of his […]
Mary, Queen of Scots (AKA Mary Stuart) is one of history’s most disastrous queens. From the time she became an infant monarch to her tragic demise, Mary attracted attention. And she still does. For centuries, novels, television shows (see the CW’s Reign for an example), and even songs have reviled […]
Known as the son and successor of Queen Victoria, a monarch famed for her devotion to Prince Albert and a reputation for Victorian rigidity, King Edward VII might seem an unlikely troublemaker. But “Bertie” proved otherwise! From scandalous affairs—one of which may have contributed to his father’s death—to a duel […]
