We all have crushes at some point in our lives (ahh...high school) but on historical people? On people that have been dead for hundreds of years in many cases? Could it be true? Oh yeah...its true alright. What is it about some of these long ago people that just pull us in? Here are my historical crushes and the reasons I could come up with explaining why they're on this list!
Richard III - Yes, I know so many things have portrayed him as a horrible, evil, deformed, nephew killing king but I personally don't believe he was that bad. I've read many, many (many) books on the man and I've come to the conclusion he was probably somewhere in between and that was probably on par for the way most men were in that era. Why the crush? It kinda grew on me actually. I just really (really, really) like the man and think he's gotten a really bad rap throughout history.
Edward the Black Prince - He seems like such a chivalric guy, right out of a medieval romance. I really loved Karen Harper's The First Princess of Wales that is about him and his wife Joan of Kent. I'm not sure how accurate that love story is but it sure made my little heart do a leap every now and then!
William Marshal - How can a girl NOT crush on this guy after reading Elizabeth Chadwick's wonderful The Greatest Knight? He is THE knight any lady would want rescuing her from distress and playing all the games of courtly love. I tell ya, the last few chapters that cover the relationship between William and his young wife were just wonderful! What a great guy!John of Gaunt - Read Anya Seton's book about his
mistress Katherine Swynford and then tell me that you're not a little bit swept off your feet by the man! What a great (and TRUE) love story. He loved Katherine, supported her and their children, and eventually married her despite the fact that other ladies at court thought she was beneath him. True love conquers all?
Llewellyn - The last true Prince of Wales will steal your heart when he's still a small boy and it will just grow from there. Always something sexy about a man who will stand up the King of England.So the question of the day is...who is YOUR historical crush??
LMAO because I'm right there with you on all of these other than Llewellyn (but probably only because I haven't read anything about him -- any suggestions?) Of course, Richard III is my number one!!
ReplyDeleteMine is definitely Richard III. The more research I do about him, the more I like him :)
ReplyDeleteOh I agree with you. Richard III was a man's man. I'm reading Sunne in the Splender by Sharon Kay Penman and oh my does she portray Richard well! Also The Black Prince oh he was hot!!! I saw a full size portrait of him in Hever Castle this summer and I couldn't stop staring at him. John of Gaunt is my 20th great grandfather and so is Llewellyn,& William Marshall, they were awesome. Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman is about Llewellyn~great book.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Hunks in History thread going on at HFO some time ago with very similar results. William Marshal, Lllewllyn as well as Jamie Fraser topped the list.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything about The Black Prince but other than that yes, yes, yes and yes.
ReplyDeleteWhoops, didn't answer the question. I have a bit of a thing for Charles II. No idea seeing as he was so much of a playboy but I do like reading about him!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree about William Marshal, and I also have a huge soft spot for his father John Marshal. Both Llewellyn the Great, and his grandson Llewellyn the Last! Wow!
ReplyDeleteI have a crush on Richard the Lionhearted. I can't wait for Sharon Kay Penman's next book about him...
ReplyDeleteApparently the Saxon King Harold was considered to be a beautiful man.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Marshall for mine.
ReplyDeleteLinked across from Goodreads, great discussion.