One of history’s most revered composers, Richard Wagner set his work on the famous Ring cycle aside in 1858 to work on his most romantic opera, Tristan and Isolde. He had such a presence and reputation that there were very few men who would stand up to him. 20 Couples In English Literature Who Changed The Way We Look At Romance Forever 1. Famous Literary Couples in Paintings: Lucas Cranach the Elder,Adam and Eve, 1526, The Courtauld Gallery, London,UK, England. Anne was crowned alongside her husband on 6 July 1483. It wasn’t until four years later that his attention turned to Anne, but, as Tudor historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb explains, Henry “wouldn’t have been bowled over by her good looks. Anne, her brother, Smeaton and three other men were convicted on trumped-up charges, with the men executed on 17 May. Meeting briefly at a ball in 1904, Winston Churchill was “transfixed and tongue-tied; Clementine [Hozier] unimpressed”, according to the official website of the wartime prime minister. “I love them because of their long friendship and I love them both as people. He was followed by Cleopatra, who committed suicide on 12 August 30 BC. Antony and Cleopatra’s affair took place amid a power struggle in the Roman republic. He relied heavily on her for her unwavering support and for her always-sage advice.”, Churchill famously told Clementine: “I do not love and never will love any woman in the world but you.”. Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara. With her by his side, he became the greatest man in Europe, the Supreme Emperor; and she amassed a jewellery box with more diamonds than Marie Antoinette’s.”. # 1 Romeo and Juliet from Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare Arguably the most well-known couple in literature of all time, who else would claim the #1 spot other than William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Let's get our Seniors all involved in this fun quiz. But in reality the president had numerous affairs including, most famously, with Marilyn Monroe. Inspired by the anniversary of this wonderful play, we’ve put together a list of the most twisted couples in literature — with George and Martha leading the pack, of course. Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley – Harry Potter. You have successfully linked your account! In January 1533, with Anne pregnant (with the future Elizabeth I), she and Henry were married in a secret ceremony and Henry broke with the Catholic church. Love can crop up in fiction in unexpected ways. The book culminates with the duo changing completely; giving up both prejudices and pride. Professor Michael Hicks offered a fascinating insight into the pair’s relationship when, writing for History Extra, he said: “While we might argue that Richard wanted to be buried at Westminster with his queen, there is some evidence that he tried to replace her before she died.”, Emma Mason is Digital Editor at HistoryExtra, This article was first published by History Extra in 2015 and has since been updated, Save a huge 50% off a subscription to your favourite history magazine. As historian Kate Williams explains: “Josephine, the fabulous hostess and skilled diplomat, was the perfect consort to the ambitious but obnoxious Napoleon. One of the defining moments for the pair is when he disarms Eowyn with a joke; something Aragorn (whom she thought she was in love with) could never have done. Writing for the New York Times, Baird says it is unclear from the note exactly what “it” might be, but that the diary entry reveals an extraordinary level of intimacy that exceeded not just what was normal for a lady and her servant — let alone a queen — but also for male and female friends. Who is your favourite fictional couple of all time? Famous Couples in History Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Gilbert is a much richer character than many book heroes. In celebration we've rounded up some of our favourite iconic couples, past and present. December 22, 2020January 15, 2021  /  Books, December 21, 2020January 15, 2021  /  Books, December 19, 2020January 15, 2021  /  Books, December 10, 2020December 10, 2020  /  Books. The same could be said for some fictional couples, whose often-tragic romances have served to inspire both literature and true-life romantic adventures. Two years later, on 16 March 1485, just 28 years of age and heartbroken after the death of her only child (a boy), Anne died, perhaps from TB. They try to live normally when they can – Henry goes for jogs to try and keep him level-headed, knowing that stress is a trigger for time travel – but there is always the threat that he will vanish at any time. Hazel and Augustus – The Fault in our Stars. A son, Napoleon (who became known as Napoleon II), was born a year later. According to WinstonChurchill.org: “Churchill could be very charming but he also was known to be quite difficult at times. They are unable to articulate their feelings, or even admit to themselves that they are homosexual, but find that they can’t forget each other, or the memory of what it’s like to be truly happy. The most famous couple in literary history, Romeo and Juliet are the archetypal young lovers. This couple has become a synonym for love itself. She disliked babies, who she thought were ‘mere little plants for the first six months’ and ‘frightful when undressed’ with their ‘big body and little limbs and that terrible frog-like action’.”, Albert “began his quest for power immediately after the marriage,” says Ridley. These wordsmiths met when they were both working at the New Yorker; a prominent New York literary magazine. The final days of Anne Boleyn: why was she sent to her death? The story also inspires the Broadway musical West Side Story and its film version with Natalie Wood and Richard Behmer. After two weddings, a daughter and numerous reconciliations, Burton and Taylor are still heralded as the iconic couple of modern history. The original “I hate you, I love you” pair, their relationship is somewhat unusual in that deception plays a major role in bringing the couple together. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. Many couples are familiar enough to be referred to by first names only. From Antony and Cleopatra to John and Jackie Kennedy, we examine seven of the most remarkable relationships from the past – as voted for by HistoryExtra readers, Explore seven of the most memorable couples in history, as voted for by HistoryExtra readers…. Katherine was an elegant and stylish editor, and EB was a disheveled but talented writer. While it may seem like almost all celebrity couples fail, even in Hollywood there are people who remain faithful to each other despite all the difficulties and seem to be loving every minute of their time together. For example, fish with chips (even though you already have fish and chips, I was very confused by this part.) Difficulty: Average. A match made in heaven, we think. Although JK Rowling herself has questioned whether she made the right decision with the Hermione/Ron relationship, we think the duo is a prime example of “opposites attract”. In August 1908, just four months after meeting for the second time, Churchill invited Clementine to his birthplace, Blenheim Palace, and as they took shelter from a rainstorm in an ornamental Greek temple during an afternoon walk, he proposed. Thanks! According to the scriptures, God created Adam. She withdrew from public life shortly after his passing, and did not return until the late 1870s and 1880s. Octavian pursued them, and the following year captured the Egyptian capital, Alexandria. Why Churchill’s reputation is still on the line, Love before Albert: Queen Victoria’s suitors, as Tudor historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb explains, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn: the lovers who changed history. We have published a new cookies policy, which you should read to find out more about the cookies we use. The ultimate high school sweethearts. “Theirs was a great romance but, as importantly, Clementine would dispense wise advice on all of the matters of the day. The WHSmith Blog Cookie Policy: To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies. No list of famous couples would be complete without mention of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn: two of history’s most captivating figures whose romance-turned-tragedy is known the world over. You will shortly receive a receipt for your purchase via email. Two days later the queen was arrested for adultery and incest, and taken to the Tower of London. In 41 BC Antony, who was in dispute with Julius Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian, over the succession to the Roman leadership following Caesar’s assassination, began both a political and romantic alliance with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. The pair’s relationship has been compared by some to that of star-crossed lovers; their story in one of two rugged men living in a homophobic society. His feelings towards her could be seen as very unhealthy; they had a short relationship when they were younger which he never gets over. Using blog.whsmith.co.uk means you agree to our use of cookies. Some like to think that their childhood friendship blossomed into love. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Married 21 Years: Sparks often flew between this... ​Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. In Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A life Beyond Her Wildest Dreams, Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince from Blue Moon Productions said the first lady, fed up with her husband’s philandering, told her confidantes that she wanted out. As it's the official “day of love” we got thinking about some of the greatest couples in literature, noticing that it’s not always rainbows and butterflies; often, the dynamic between these duos is disturbing and destructive – but isn’t this what makes them work? Expert Philippa Gregory says: “Some people like to think that Richard of Gloucester [who was around five years older] added to his many apocryphal crimes by kidnapping the young widow and forcing her to marry him. To the outside world their relationship looked nothing short of perfect. A strange connection develops at the Arena; they are supposed to be enemies, but their friendship somehow survives. Literary Love: Famous Fictional Couples We Adore Ah, it's Valentine's Day and love is in the air - and on the pages of our favorite books. The couples in this quiz include fictional characters from literature and television as well as real people. Grace Kelly was a famous American actress of the 1950s. The official website for BBC History Magazine, BBC History Revealed and BBC World Histories Magazine, Save 50% on a BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed subscription, History is full of extraordinary couples. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. It was as if the only way the couple could live with the anomaly (as they saw it) of Victoria being a woman on the throne and superior in rank to her husband was by making her feel that she was Albert’s inferior in every other respect. But what of his wife, Anne Neville? Cleopatra and Mark Antony: The wonderful true love story of Antony and Cleopatra is one of … Nevertheless, it is said that Victoria never fully recovered from Albert’s death in 1861, and she remained in mourning for the rest of her life. She was married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. From the world of politics to the showbiz industry and beyond, here are 17 of the most famous couples today and in history. Throughout history couples in love have caused wars and controversy, created masterpieces in writing, music, and art, and have captured the hearts of … Share your thoughts in the comments box below. The couple met in 1966, married in 1969, and had a son in 1975. He was a Harvard graduate, and a lawyer. Brown says to her, lifting his kilt: “Oh, I thought it was here?” She responds, lifting up her dress: “No, it is here.”. Gatsby’s devotion to Daisy never wavers, but when he is finally reunited with her he admits that achieving his goal isn’t as satisfying as he had anticipated! She bitterly resented what she called ‘the shadow side of marriage’, meaning pregnancy and childbirth, and she suffered from postnatal depression. Annie Prolux’s heartbreaking short story, first published in 1997, is a tale of both love and loneliness. When Anne first joined the English court in 1522 (as lady-in-waiting to Henry’s wife, Catherine of Aragon), the king had in his sights another Boleyn girl – Anne’s elder sister, Mary. There seems to be a problem, please try again. Anne was made a widow at just 15 after her husband, Edward of Westminster, the only son of Henry VI, was killed at the battle of Tewkesbury in May 1471 – a clash that saw the Yorkists reign victorious over the Lancastrians. These passionate, political, and poetic couples from the Medieval and Renaissance ages will go down in history. The surprising thing about Anne is that she wasn’t considered to be a great beauty.” It was her “character, intelligence and charm” and her “cosmopolitan glamour” that drew the king to her. Henry and Clare – The Time Traveler’s Wife. There was however one very strong willed woman who always would – his wife. Their relationship gives the reader a whole new perspective on both cancer and love, and the delicate subject of the book – along with the often unpleasant details – do nothing to diminish the romance between the pair; they only make it more raw and more moving. Arguably the most famous lovers in history, the story of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra VII has been retold for more than 2,000 years. Of course, there are the classic literary couples that spring to mind (think Romeo and Juliet), but some of the most memorable duos also appear in less obvious, less conventional stories. Despite only appearing in one of Arthur Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, Irene Adler makes a huge impact. “When Anne miscarried a son shortly after Catherine of Aragon’s death in January 1536, Henry declared ominously that ‘he would have no more boys by her’. In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about our favorite fictional couples. I bet we can all remember a book where we felt our hearts flutter or couldn't help but sigh as a couple came together. Many of those books we come back to because the love story is so perfect in our minds. The face of Cleopatra: was she really so beautiful? Famous Intellectual Couples in History: John and Abigail Adams. Over 17 years, nine children were born: four boys and five girls. Don’t forget to take a look at our Romance and Erotica page for more great couples of literature. Love is a powerful emotion. Here’s what you said: Literature. First, I didn't know who "Harry" was, so I was guessing a bunch of people from Harry Potter. © 1999 - 2019 WHSmith and all its suppliers, Reproduction or transmission of all or part of the content of this site in any medium, by electronic means or otherwise, without the written permission of the owner, is prohibited, How to Make Your Own Dream Jar from The BFG. But while Napoleon famously wrote Josephine passionate love letters during their partings, their relationship was marred by affairs – reportedly on both sides – and “as his fame grew, Napoleon became increasingly obsessed with his need for an heir and irritated with Josephine’s extravagant spending”. “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.” Narrated by a 16-year-old cancer patient named Hazel, she meets and falls in love with ex-basketball player and amputee Augustus at a support group. But historian Jane Ridley explains that while to the outside world their family seemed the embodiment of domestic bliss, the reality was quite different. Sir Lancelot was a knight in King Arthur’s Round Table, who fell in love with Queen Guinevere, Arthur’s wife. However, there are many more couples in the history that have made an equal, perhaps larger, impact on mankind. But who were the most iconic? Historian Elizabeth Norton explains: “Within months of their wedding Henry was unfaithful, informing Anne that ‘she must shut her eyes, and endure as well as more worthy persons, and that she ought to know that it was in his power to humble her again in a moment more than he had exalted her’. Popularised by Shakespeare, the lovers were later portrayed in the 1963 film Cleopatra by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Please enter your number below. 1. Benedick and Beatrice – Much Ado About Nothing. Cleopatra and Mark Antony The story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War is a Greek heroic legend, combining fact and fiction. “This was not a marriage of equals. In 1810 Napoleon had his childless marriage to Josephine annulled and married Marie Louise, the daughter of the Austrian emperor. At the beginning of the novel, he walks into the room before declaring that none of the ladies within it are worth a second glance – including Elizabeth.