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Today, it seems that the British royal family is constantly in the headlines for dramas worthy of a soap opera. From the Diana-Charles-Camilla love triangle, to William and Kate and Harry and Meghan, plus Prince Andrews secrets, it seems that the lives of the royal family have never been so melodramatic. But these royal melodramas are not a product of the modern age. Family feuds, inadvisable marriages, and dramatic divorces have characterized the British royal family from its inception. Read on to discover ten of the most melodramatic stories of the British royal family, which would surely occupy significant column inches if they were covered by the media today.1. Emma of Normandy: The Woman Behind the ThroneEmma of Normandy in The Encomium Of Queen Emma, unknown artist, c. 1050. Source: British LibraryEmma of Normandy was one of the most significant figures in 11th-century England, when power was being contested between the Anglo-Saxon House of Wessex and the Vikings. A noblewoman born across the Channel, Emma was married to King Aethelred the Unready, who was usurped by the Viking leader Swen Forkbeard. Not wanting to sacrifice her position and her sons, Alfred and Edward, Emma married Sweyns son Cnut, with whom she had another son, Harthacnut.When Cnut died and his son from an earlier marriage, Harald Harefoot, was elected king, she probably instigated an attempted invasion by Alfred, who was living in exile with her family in Normandy. This backfired, with Alfred having his eyes burned out with a hot poker by a backer of his half-brother and dying of his injuries. It is possible that she persuaded Harthacnut, who took the throne upon Harolds death, to name his elder half-brother Edward as his successor. He followed Harthacnut as king, becoming Edward the Confessor. Emma is a great example of the influence medieval noblewomen could have on society and politics through marriage and maneuvering.2. Stephen & Matilda: Warring GrandchildrenEmpress Matilda, from History of England by the monks of St Albans. Source: Reading MuseumWilliam of Normandy conquered England in 1066. Sixty years later, his grandchildren fought a bitter war over his inheritance. The dispute arose as Matildasometimes known as Empress Matilda due to her marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry Vwas the direct heir, being the daughter of Henry I of England, William the Conquerors fourth son. The barons of England didnt particularly want a woman, known for her assertiveness and stubbornness, who had largely been raised in a foreign court holding sway over them. They opted for Stephen, the son of the Conquerors daughter, Adela, who was a powerful landowner and seen as more pliable.This sparked a largely forgotten but very destructive civil war in England known as the Anarchy (11381153), most popularly depicted in Ken Folletts The Pillars of the Earth. Who had the upper hand changed over the course of the conflict. Ultimately, war weariness and the death of Stephens son Eustace led to a negotiated peace whereby Stephen held the throne for the remainder of his life but would name Matildas son, the future Henry II, as his heir.3. The Angevins: Dysfunctional DynastyHenry II, Young Henry, and Richard the Lionheart, from the Historia Anglorum by Matthew Paris, unknown artist, c. 1250. Source: University of CambridgeHenry II inherited his mothers stubbornness and fiery temper. He was known for his philandering and reluctance to delegate power and land to his sons. This led to estrangement between him and his older, beautiful, and cunning wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Together, they were among the most powerful rulers in Europe, with realms extending from the Scottish border to the Pyrenees. However, their strong personalities meant that the relationship broke down in the 1160s, when she allegedly stirred four of Henrys sons into rebellion.The revolt lasted a year, but the negotiated end saw Eleanor placed under house arrest for the next 15 years. Meanwhile, Henry continued to fall out with different coalitions of his sons, especially his son and expected heir, Young Henry. To further complicate matters, the King of France, Philip Augustus, to whom Henry theoretically owed some of his continental territories, continually machinated with Eleanor and her sons. It was during one of these coordinated rebellions in 1189 that the apparently broken-hearted Henry II died when his favorite son, John, had joined with Richard the Lionheart and Philip. Eleanor returned to England in victory, ruling as her son Richard Is regent and reversing many of Henrys acts.4. Cousins in Conflict: Wars of the RosesPortrait of Richard III, unknown, c. 1510. Source: Society of Antiquaries of LondonRichard II was overthrown by his nobility in 1399, led by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who was enthroned as Henry IV. The moving aside of one wing of the Plantagenet for another set a dangerous precedent. In the 1450s, with the mentally ill Henry VI on the throne and the English position in France in dire peril, Richard of York, a descendant of another of Richard IIs cousins, started to put forward his own claim to the throne. This sparked a series of civil wars typically packaged together as the Wars of the Roses, reflecting the symbols of the two family wings: the red rose of Henry VIs Lancastrians and the white rose of the Yorkists.This was a true family-on-family conflict, with both sides claiming to be the true and rightful claimants to the throne based on links back to Edward III, Richard IIs grandfather. The drama reached its apogee when Richard, Duke of Gloucester, purportedly murdered his nephews, Edward and Richard, to seize the crown for himself in 1483. Richard III was defeated in battle at Bosworth in 1485 by Henry Tudor, another distant family member.5. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn: A Turbulent MarriageAnne Boleyn, unknown artist, c. 1550. Source: Hever CastleA son of Henry Tudor, Henry VIII has an infamous reputation for his multiple marriages, many of which ended in bloodshed. Most famous was the marriage between Henry and Anne Boleyn. Henry, frustrated with the lack of a surviving son from the well-connected and popular Catherine of Aragon, divorced her in favor of the seductive, clever, and younger Anne. The repercussions split the English church from Rome and began a tension between England and Spain, Europes most powerful realm, that would endure for a century. Then, once Anne failed to deliver a son herself, Henrys chief minister, Thomas Cromwell of Wolf Hall fame, engineered her trial and execution, freeing Henry to marry Jane Seymour, who did produce a son in the future Edward VI.6. Henry VIIIs Children: Sibling RivalryEdward VI and the Pope: An Allegory of the Reformation, unknown artist, c. 1575. Source: National Portrait GalleryIt is now generally agreed among historians that Henry VIII did not particularly want to trigger the religious chaos that followed from his actions. Nevertheless, his three surviving (legitimate) children steered England through a series of religious changes over the remainder of the 16th century, from Edward VIs fervent Protestantism, to Mary Is bloody counter-reformation, before settling on Elizabeth Is middle course.What is often overlooked in discussions of religious and political upheaval is the relationship between the siblings. Unlike the preceding medieval monarchs, we have detailed letters and accounts of their bonds and disputes, such as Edward VI disapproving of Mary continuing to celebrate mass, of Elizabeth begging for protection during her sisters reign, and of Mary and Elizabeth siding together against the potential ascendancy of Lady Jane Gray, the great-granddaughter of Henry VII.7. The Duke of Monmouth: The Other ChildThe Beheading of the Duke of Monmouth, unknown artist, 1689. Source: Rijksmuseum AmsterdamFollowing the English Civil Wars and Interregnum, Charles II was restored to the throne. As it became clear, however, that he and his wife Catherine of Braganza were unlikely to produce a legitimate heir, many feared the prospect of his Catholic younger brother, the Duke of York, James, taking the crown. Amidst the ferment and disquiet of the period, James Scott, Charles IIs illegitimate son and first Duke of Monmouth, emerged as a possible Protestant alternative. Monmouths fame increased due to his battles against the Dutch, French, and rebel Scots, frustrating his father due to the contrasting growing unpopularity of James. Monmouth was identified, probably falsely, as a conspirator in the Rye House Plot to assassinate Charles and James in 1683.Things came to a head upon Charles death in 1685. The cabal that had formed around Monmouth encouraged him to declare himself the legitimate heir in place of James and to lead an armed rebellion. The revolt was easily crushed, and Monmouth was executed by his uncle. Ultimately, James legitimacy and existing bonds with the nobility were enough to secure the execution of his nephew and the throne. Until that is, another family drama emerged.8. Father & Daughter: James II & Mary IIEngraving of William III and Mary II, by Robert White, c. 1689. Source: National Portrait GalleryJames IIs hold on the throne was tenuous. He quickly turned the country against him by appointing Catholic ministers, attacking bishops, and manipulating local government. Fortunately, the heir apparent was James daughter by his first marriage, Mary, an upstanding Protestant who happened to be married to William of Orange, leader of the Netherlands and the Protestant hero of Europe for his resistance to the Catholic powers. Just to deepen the melodrama, William also happened to be James nephew.The birth of a son by Jamess second marriage in 1688 changed everything. A plot emerged to dethrone James in favor of William and Mary and end the prospect of a Catholic dynasty once and for all. William gladly took up the invitation and succeeded where Monmouth failed. Landing in Torbay in 1688, he quickly marched across the country to London. James saw that the writing was on the wall and fled. His son, James Francis Edward Stuart, and his more famous grandson, Bonnie Prince Charlie, would try to reclaim England and Scotland for their line over the coming decades, each failing in turn.9. Fathers & Sons: The GeorgesGeorge I, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, c. 1714. Source: National Portrait GalleryWilliam and Mary were followed by Marys sister Anne, the first monarch of the Kingdom of Great Britain, played by Olivia Coleman in The Favorite. In tragic circumstances, she produced no surviving heir. A potential succession crisis was solved by giving the crown to George, Elector of Hanover, a distant relative of the Stuart dynasty via James I. So began the Hanoverians, a line of monarchs that began with the introverted German-speaking George I and ended with Victoria.What is little known about the dynasty is a bizarre, recurring pattern of father-son conflict, complicated further by the fact that they were usually called George. George I clashed constantly with his son, who actively worked with his fathers enemies in Parliament to counter most of his policies, frequently hosting meetings of the opposition at his own home. Ironically, George IIs own son, Frederick, did the same to him, even openly campaigning at elections. There were fights over money due to George IIs stinginess. Frederick even stopped his mother and father from attending the birth of their grandchild by bundling his wife into the back of a cab. Frederick unexpectedly died in 1757, leaving his son, another George, as the heir apparent.George III, most famous for losing the American colonies and being mad, followed the pattern and fell out frequently with his boisterous and extravagant eldest son, who was once again called George. They clashed over the Prince of Wales wild spending, radical politics, and choice of women. At the age of 21, he insisted upon marrying someone who was both a commoner and a Catholic, despite the latter being forbidden by law. They went through a sham and void ceremony. George served as regent during his fathers mental health episodes, but despite Britains resistance and successes in the Napoleonic Wars, he was never popular, growing increasingly obese as the years went by.George III, by Allan Ramsay, 1761. Source: Royal Collections TrustIt is peculiar that the same pattern of clashing fathers and sons repeated down the Hanoverian line. By now, though, it mattered for little in terms of national politics. The real power of the monarchy began to decline following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, leaving George IV with much less influence than even his great-grandfather.10. Doomed Love: Edward VIII and Wallis SimpsonEdward VIII and Wallis Simpson on holiday in Yugoslavia, 1936. Source: International Churchill SocietyMoving into more modern times, the story of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson is now pretty well known. Although it sounds petty now, the King-Emperors determination to marry the American divorcee, going against the teachings of the Anglican church and the morality the royal family was supposed to embody, threatened to bring down the monarchy. Eventually, Edward VIII abdicated in favor of his brother, George VI, the father of Elizabeth II. Elizabeth and her mother, also called Elizabeth, never forgave Edward for forcing the shy, introverted George into a role that he did not want and that they blamed for his premature demise. Still, it was likely a blessing in disguise, with George VI and his family becoming symbolic of Britains resistance to Nazism, while Edward, demoted to Duke of Windsor, traitorously positioned himself as a pretender in the event of German invasion, even advising them on suitable bombing targets.Family dramas, then, have plagued the British royal family for a millennium. We should just be happy that now the battles only take place in newspaper headlines and ghostwritten books rather than on battlefields.

Robert Gould Shaw is best remembered for leading the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first Black regiment raised in the North during the Civil War following Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation. Born into an abolitionist family, Shaw accepted the command of the 54th, believing deeply in the wrongs of slavery. His death at the Battle of Fort Wagner in South Carolina turned him into a symbol of sacrifice, and his leadership inspired thousands to join the Union cause. Shaws legacy lives on in history books and monuments.Early LifePortrait of a young Robert Gould Shaw. Source: DPLARobert Gould Shaw was born in Boston in 1837 into one of the most influential abolitionist families in the North. His parents, Francis and Sarah Shaw, were active in anti-slavery causes and supported efforts to end the institution of slavery long before the Civil War began. The Shaws eventually moved to Staten Island, New York, embedding themselves in a prominent abolitionist neighborhood which included the Stowes and Emersons. Despite his privilege, Shaw often found himself on the wrong end of many events at school, accumulating many demerits for various acts.In 1851, Shaw left his preparatory academy, St. Johns, to attend boarding school in Europe. His parents believed a more strict environment away from his friends and family was what he needed. First attending school in Switzerland for two years, then transferring to a school in Hanover, Germany, Shaw struggled with maintaining his grades and staying out of trouble just as he had back home.Portrait of Col. Robert Gould Shaw by Horace Burdick, c. 1895. Source: Harvard Art MuseumsShaw returned to the United States after graduating in 1856. From 1856 to 1859, he studied at Harvard University but dropped out a year before graduating. Shaw showed signs during this time of being a restless young man, unsure of the direction he wished to take his life. His parents often tried to provide a path for him, but Shaw would quickly lose interest. When the Civil War broke out, Shaw knew the course of his life for the foreseeable future, not just out of patriotism, but because he believed in the cause his family had championed for years. His upbringing laid the foundation for the decisions he would make later in life, especially the one that would define his legacy.Early War EffortsLt. Robert Gould Shaw with the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry, c. 1861. Source: Wikimedia CommonsBefore taking command of the 54th Massachusetts, Shaw had already seen his fair share of war. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 as a private in the 7th New York Militia. Signing an initial 90-day enlistment, Shaws service was completed in May. The 7th New York was dissolved that same month, leaving Shaw with no choice but to return home if he wished to continue serving the Union cause. At the end of May, Shaw was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry. At a time when the Union lacked experienced and battle-tested officers, Shaw was selected for leadership for his education and family prestige. He fought in several early engagements, including the very first large-scale engagement of National and Confederate troops, Bull Run. Shaw was known among his peers as a competent, if not extraordinary, officer.The opposite of the ill-tempered, unruly young man of his youth. These early years in the Army were formative, helping him grow from a hesitant volunteer into a capable leader. Still, Shaw wasnt entirely convinced that a military life was for him. Just as with his time at school overseas and Harvard, military life for Shaw presented its challenges. He struggled with moments of doubt as expressed in letters between his mother and father. His correspondence shows he even considered leaving the service shortly before his 90-day enlistment expired.However, everything changed when Massachusetts Governor John Andrew, a family friend, asked him to lead a new experiment in the war effort: a regiment composed entirely of Black soldiers led by white officers. The assignment came with enormous political and personal pressure. After much deliberation, he accepted the offer. That decision would place him at the forefront of one of the most important chapters in Civil War history.Commanding the 54thRecruiting poster for the 54th Massachusetts colored infantry, c. 1863. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn early 1863, Robert Gould Shaw was appointed to lead the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first official African American unit raised in the North during the Civil War. The regiment was formed in Boston and quickly drew national attention, although it struggled in recruitment efforts. The men who joined the 54th were not only fighting to preserve the Union; they were fighting for their own freedom and the future of Black Americans. The 54th was composed of African American men from all over the nation and of various economic strata. Some were former slaves, and many had never known what it meant to be the property of another person, yet they were all together, ready to fight for freedom.Shaw took the role seriously. He drilled his men hard and instilled them with discipline as he knew they would have to prove their effectiveness at a much steeper rate than white soldiers. While he drilled his men hard, he advocated for them with great tenacity. Shaw fought to ensure they received equal payan issue that plagued Black soldiers throughout the warand made sure their uniforms and supplies matched the standards of white regiments.While the early days of the 54th saw the regiment assigned to physical labor, Shaw continued to advocate for his men to be given the chance to prove their worth. By late June 1863, Shaw and the 54th were on their way to South Carolina as part of the campaign to take Charleston.The Assault on Fort WagnerMap depicting the siege of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, Charleston Harbor, S.C., July 1863. Source: Library of CongressOn July 18, 1863, Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts led a bold assault on Fort Wagner, a heavily defended Confederate stronghold near Charleston, South Carolina. The fort was key to controlling the harbor, as any ship attempting to launch an assault would be cut down by the battery inside the fort. To take the fort, soldiers would cross over a mile of beach with no cover, leaving them vulnerable to cannon fire.Shaw knew the attack would lead to a large number of casualties, but he volunteered for the 54th to lead the assault on Fort Wagner. As the men marched across the narrow beach, at the head was Col. Robert Gould Shaw. Shaw would be the first to begin to take the fort, he was shot and killed while mounting the parapet, one of the first to fall in the assault. Nearly half of the 54th was killed, wounded, or captured during the failed attack.The Aftermath of WagnerThe Storming of Fort Wagner, by Kurz & Allison, c. 1890. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThough the attack failed to take Fort Wagner, the bravery shown by Shaw and his men made headlines across the nation. Journalists across the North praised their heroism, and the story of the 54th inspired thousands of Black men to enlist. After the battle, Confederate forces buried Shaw in a mass grave with his fallen soldiers, intending it as an insult.In the eyes of the Confederacy, a white officer deserved a proper burial, not one alongside enlisted soldiers, much less Black troops. But Shaws family saw it differently. When Union forces offered to retrieve his body, Shaws father refused. He said there could be no holier resting place for his son than beside the men he had led in battle. Initially meant as an insult, the Confederate burial made his sacrifice even more meaningful to the Union. After the war, the Army disinterred all those buried at Fort Wagner and reburied them in a mass grave at the National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. Nonetheless, Shaws burial became a powerful part of the story of the 54th.LegacyMemorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Boston Common, Boston, Massachusetts. Sculpture created 1884-1887 by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn 1897, more than three decades after his death, a memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts was unveiled on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts. Sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the bronze relief is one of the most celebrated monuments in American history, visited by thousands each year. The memorial itself is a message of equality. Rather than appearing above or in front of his men, Shaw is depicted alongside them. The detail captures the unity and purpose of the regiment as they marched into battle.The monument was groundbreaking for its time. It didnt just honor a single man, it honored the collective sacrifice of an entire regiment. The dedication ceremony was attended by dignitaries, veterans of the 54th, and thousands of onlookers, both Black and white. Booker T. Washington gave a moving speech, highlighting the importance of the 54th in American history.

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