In April 1861, the American Civil War began with a literal bang due to the Confederate shelling and capture of Fort Sumter, South Carolina. But when was the first real battle of the Civil War? This goes to the June 3, 1861 Battle of Philippi in western Virginia, where a small but planned skirmish occurred between Union and Confederate soldiers. Neither side knew how large future battles would become.Victory Goes to the UnionThe borders of West Virginia superimposed over imagery of the states geography, representing its independent statehood after the Battle of Philippi. Source: West Virginia Public BroadcastingThe Battle of Philippi was a victory for the Union, which could then allow for the newly independent state of West Virginia to be carved from the Confederate state of Virginia. The skirmish was relatively small but highly representative of the conflict to comethe Union was unwilling to let the South secede unchallenged. By sending troops into western Virginia from Ohio, the Union sent a powerful message that it would use force. The battle itself was more of haphazard skirmish, with both Union and Confederate soldiers largely untrained.The Union, outnumbering the Confederates almost four-to-one in the small town of Philippi, caught the rebels by surprise and pushed them back many miles. However, the Union officers also made plenty of errors and allowed the 800 or so Southerners to largely escape. Quickly, the region of Kanawha in western Virginia sought to create its own independent state and remain part of the Union. On June 13, 1861, the Second Wheeling Convention in what would become Wheeling, West Virginia made a formal declaration of this plan.Timeline of the Battle of PhilippiA map showing Virginia in 1861, with Virginia seceding on April 17 but its western counties (Kanawha) wishing to remain in the Union. Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB)When the Battle of Fort Sumter occurred between April 12 and 13, 1861, the Confederate States of America was not fully formed!Virginia did not actually secede from the Union until April 17, shortly after US President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers to join the military and suppress the rebellion.In May, Union general George McClellan set up his headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio and looked east toward Virginia. He planned to try to cut across and seize the new Confederate capital city of Richmond, Virginia, ending the war quickly.The western part of Virginia, bordering Ohio, was largely pro-Union, allowing Union troops to advance with ease. In response, Confederates burned bridges to slow the Union advance.For about three weeks, Union troops took towns in western Virginia, with a small Confederate force retreating toward the town of Philippi, which was pro-secession.On June 1, an attack on this Confederate force was approved and commenced early on June 3, 1861. Outnumbered and outgunned, with the Union forces surprising the Confederates with cannon fire, the Southerners swiftly retreated.What Caused the Battle of Philippi?The Battle of Philippi was part of a campaign to keep the border states in the Union and led to the new state of West Virginia. Source: American Battlefield TrustThe Battle of Philippi was largely caused by the Unions desire to focus first on protecting the border states and similar regions from secessionist desires. As the war had begun even before the Confederacy was fully formed, many areas were still undecided about whether to remain with the Union or join the new Confederacy. Instead of massing as large an army as possible and barreling toward Richmond, the Union moved troops into these relatively undefended border states to secure them. The western counties of Virginia were pro-Union and thus a good place to send Union troops initially.Of course, the Unions advance into western Virginia could only remain unchallenged for so long. The Confederacy looked to mount a defense at the Monongahela River. Philippi had a famous covered bridge that crossed a tributary to the Monongahela River, where the two forces eventually met. By this far east of Ohio, the counties were more pro-secession and could not be counted on to quietly support the arrival of Union troops. Indeed, the arrival of Union troops on the morning of battle was announced by a local resident, sparking an unexpected beginning of the skirmish.Why Was the Battle of Philippi Significant?A map showing the location of Philippi inside of what is now West Virginia. Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB)Despite the small number of troops engaged, the battle was significant because it was the first organized land battle of the war. It signaled that the Union would not allow the secession to go unchecked, ending a period of question as to whether or not the North would risk its own blood to prevent the South from breaking away. Blood was spilled, revealing that the Union was serious. Would the Confederacy maintain its secession under threat of future bloodshed? Tragically, the fighting would rage for almost another four years, with bloodshed unimaginable at the time.A second point of significance was that the battle and strong presence of Union troops in western Virginia led to the creation of the new state of West Virginia, which would be part of the Union. After the war, West Virginia remained its own state, having been formally recognized as one by President Lincoln on June 20, 1863. The bill to make West Virginia a state had been approved by Congress, with a presidential signature attached on December 31, 1862. However, territorial disputes between Virginia and West Virginia continued after the war until settled by the US Supreme Court in Virginia v. West Virginia (1871).5 Facts About the Battle of PhilippiA photograph of Benjamin Franklin Kelley, who was the first Union officer to invade Confederate territory ahead of the Battle of Philippi. Source: Library of Congress1. CasualtiesCasualties at the Battle of Philippi were minimal. The Union, which was able to launch a successful surprise attack, suffered only four casualties among around 1,600 men committed. The Confederates, who had half as many men, suffered about thirty casualties. As the Confederates had quickly fled, there was little attempt to hold a line and take heavy casualties. Similarly, the Union did err in its pursuit and thus did not take heavy casualties while trying to stop the fleeing Southerners.2. CommandersUnion forces in the actual battle were led by Colonel Benjamin Franklin Kelley, a subordinate of General George McClellan. A native of New Hampshire, Kelley worked for the railroads before the war. He joined the Union army upon the outbreak of the Civil War and was put in charge of raising volunteers in western Virginia, where he had moved in 1826. Having attended military school as a youth, Kelley had planned to attend West Point and later served in the Mexican-American War, but both plans had been canceled due to deaths in his family. He was wounded in action at Philippi and promoted to brigadier general.Confederate forces were led by General George A. Porterfield. Like Kelley, Porterfield grew up revering the military; his father was a veteran of the War of 1812. He attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and, after the Mexican-American War, became a newspaperman and a teacher. When the Civil War began, Porterfield was also a recruiter in western Virginia, though for the Confederate cause. Ironically, he signed considerably fewer recruits than Kelley, as the region was largely pro-Union. Due to his forces poor performance at Philippi, Porterfields military career was largely halted. He was captured in 1862 by Union troops and did not seek command again after being paroled.3. Number of Forces InvolvedAn image of Union soldiers firing cannons at Confederates in western Virginia during the June 3, 1861 Battle of Philippi. Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting EducationThe Union forces at Philippi numbered about 3,000 men, which dwarfed the Confederate force of only 800 men. In the region, which was pro-Unionist, Confederate General George Porterfield had struggled to raise many recruits. This first organized battle of the war would soon be dwarfed by much larger engagements, featuring over 100,000 men per side!4. Visiting the Battlefield TodayToday, the battlefield can be seen as part of the Blue and Gray Park in Philippi, West Virginia. At the site of the brief battle, visitors can read informational signs. Fortunately, there are plenty of other history-related things to do in Barbour County, West Virginia, including watching Civil War re-enactments. Visitors can also visit the famous Philippi covered bridge, which is part of Civil War history.5. Trivia: Battle Led to Artificial Limb IndustryThe American Civil War would quickly become known worldwide for its large-scale brutality, with battles featuring tens of thousands of soldiers on each side. Many soldiers would lose limbs in titanic battles like Antietam, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga. However, it was at the humble Battle of Philippi where Confederate soldier James Hanger lost a leg. Hanger went on to create the company now known as Hanger Clinic: Prosthetics & Orthotics, a nationwide provider of artificial limbs.Aftermath of Philippi: The War Grows Grim in VirginiaA painting of Philippi, West Virginia after the American Civil War. Source: American Battlefield TrustThe quick victory was a public relations win for the Union. Although the battle was nearly bloodless, two battlefield amputations were grim foreshadowing of what was to come, as was the destruction of the town of Philippi itself. The small town, composed mostly of Confederate sympathizers, largely fled, and some houses were looted by Union troops. Both of these unpleasantries would occur in future battles on a much larger scale.McClellan continued his West Virginia Campaign after Philippi. Both the Union and Confederate armies quickly swelled with reinforcements, with McClellans 3,000 becoming 20,000 and Porterfields 800 becoming 4,500 under his replacement, General Robert Garnett (who was killed in action weeks later after bemoaning that he was being sent to his death). In late June 1861, McClellan arrived to join the head of his growing army. However, the campaign quickly bogged down as McClellan began fearing that he was outnumbered, facing far larger Confederate forces nearby than actually existed. Despite being stalled, McClellan had achieved a Union foothold in Virginia that would last, allowing for many future offensives toward Richmond.

Today, Hawaii is considered the 50th state and a well-loved destination for tourists the world over. Hawaii and its citizens are just like those of any other US state, right? Not quite. A look into Hawaiis tumultuous history and how it became incorporated into the United States exposes shocking details surrounding the annexation of Hawaii and its transformation from an independent kingdom to US possession.The State of Hawaii in 1893A satellite view of Hawaii, 2003. Source: NASA / Wikimedia CommonsToday, there are 197 independent states existing in the world. However, in 1893, there were only 44. One of these was the Hawaiian Kingdom. Hawaii was governed under the authority of an executive monarch, maintaining relationships with countries and governments the world over. Hawaii maintained over 90 legations (comparable to an embassy) and consulates in different countries, including the United States. Located about 2,500 miles from the western coast of the United States, Hawaii was ruled by a queen, Lydia Kamakaeha Liluokalani.The economy was heavily tied to that of the United States, with whaling, sugar, and fruit industries becoming increasingly owned by US interests in the Hawaiian Kingdom as the 19th century progressed. There was even discussion of Hawaii joining the United States via annexation as a territory in the 1850s, but those talks were brought to a halt with changes in politics and time. Still, once the Civil War concluded and the US economy stabilized, American businesses dominated Hawaiis sugar industry. Businessmen played a large role in influencing the monarchy in order to improve their own interests.Further EntanglementA Hawaiian mill for the American-owned Olaa Sugar Company, 1902. Source: Library of CongressAs American companies began to increase their grip on Hawaii, the government was prodded to step in and take things further. The economies of the two countries became linked with a reciprocity agreement in 1875, which allowed Hawaii duty-free exports to America. However, in exchange for the privilege, the sugar industry in Hawaii had to remain under American control. This agreement increased American influence on the island, and by the last decade of the 19th century, 99% of Hawaiian exports were being shipped to the US mainland, and 76% of their imports were arriving from the United States. American businessmen not only controlled the economy but came to meddle in other aspects of Hawaiian daily life in order to serve their own interests. The American-controlled legislature became powerful, reducing the power of the monarch, who at that time was King David Kalakaua.Pressure Shifts Power FurtherKing David Kalakaua, circa 1882. Source: Hawaii State Archives / Wikimedia CommonsIn 1888, the American businessmen in Hawaii decided to push further than they ever had before in order to increase their reach into Hawaiian politics. A new constitution was proposed and presented to King Kalakaua. While Kalakaua had no desire to sign the constitution, which would have further reduced his power and that of his people, he felt he had no choice. The American-controlled legislature and economy left him without recourse, and the new document went into effect. This constitution limited monarchical power and authority. Land ownership was a requirement for voting, and native Hawaiians, along with Chinese and Japanese immigrants who had moved to Hawaii for work in the sugar fields, were denied the right to participate in the political process.The planters that controlled Hawaiis economy now largely controlled its government. The new constitutional document became known as the bayonet constitution due to the pressure on Kalakaua to sign it. To further the blow, in 1890, the US Congress passed the McKinley Tariff, doing away with the previous reciprocity agreement between the two nations. It gave other nations the privilege of tariff-free trade with the United States, including other sugar-producing countries. As a result, the price of sugar dropped. Those involved in American sugar interests in Hawaii once again began discussing annexation.A Determined QueenA signed photo of Liliuokalani, 1891. Source: James J Williams / Wikimedia CommonsIn 1891, the disgraced King David Kalakaua died, and his sister became Queen Liliuokalani. The queen was determined to free Hawaii from the American grasp and restore her peoples natural rights, both politically and as humans. The queen spoke fluent English and was determined to regain her country without violence. She was beloved by her people, an excellent scholar, and a wonderful musician. She composed over 150 songs in her lifetime, with the most famous being Aloha Oe.Despite her skills and convictions, Liliuokalani faced insurmountable resistance. Her first order of business as queen was to attempt to repair the Bayonet Constitution, but when the business class learned of her intentions, plans were put in place to silence Liliuokalani and any power she had remaining. While Liliuokalani was the first queen of Hawaii, she would also be the last.Islands Under AttackQueen Liliuokalani, 1898. Source: George Prince / Wikimedia CommonsOn January 16, 1893, a group of American businessmen, mostly sugar and pineapple growers, staged a coup against the queen and the existing Hawaiian government. This was accomplished with support from the US military, instigated by the US minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens.Stevens assembled marines and a warship, the U.S.S. Boston, to help achieve the success of the coup. Determined to avoid bloodshed, the queen voluntarily abdicated her throne. In her terms of conditional surrender, she asserted that she would give up her authority until such time as the US government would come to her aid and undo the action of its representatives. She immediately contacted the president of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, calling upon him to do so. However, Harrison refused and signed an annexation treaty to send to the US Congress for confirmation. However, it was the end of his term, and before the treaty was ratified, the new president, Grover Cleveland, withdrew it.President Cleveland InvestigatesGrover Cleveland, portrait and signature, 1892. Source: Grover Cleveland / Wikimedia CommonsPresident Cleveland had concerns about US actions in Hawaii and sent special commissioner James Blount to Hawaii to investigate the situation and report back. Blount spent April-July researching and compiling facts in Hawaii, and in October, his supervisor, Secretary-of-State Walter Gresham, reported to the president. Blount and Gresham asserted that the queen had only surrendered under fear that Hawaii was under direct threat of war from the United States and recommended that her power be restored. Meanwhile, Sanford Dole, a son of Christian missionaries and a relative of the Dole fruit magnates, was named president of the Republic of Hawaii. He approached Cleveland once again for annexation and was denied, Cleveland calling him and other members of the provisional government insurgents. Despite his efforts, Congress views did not align with Clevelands, and he eventually gave up on his attempts to restore the queen.Annexation Attempts ContinueLiliuokalanis Letter of Protest, 1898. Source: National ArchivesA series of rebellions erupted in Hawaii as the native population attempted to restore its government. Upon the failure of such an uprising in 1895, known as the Wilcox Rebellion, Queen Liliuokalani was imprisoned along with the leaders of the revolt.Annexation was proposed again with a new president, William McKinley, in 1897. McKinley was in favor of the measure but was stopped by a petition against the annexation, signed by 21,269 native Hawaiian people (there were only about 30,000 native and mixed-race Hawaiians on the islands at the time). Liliuokalani herself delivered the petition to Congress, who defeated the annexation treaty. However, the onset of the Spanish-American War made the US government realize the value of Hawaii as a military base in the Pacific. Annexation would finally occur on July 7, 1898, and Sanford Dole was officially installed as governor. Liliuokalani made one final attempt to stand up for her monarchy and people, writing a letter of protest to the US House of Representatives, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. As a territory, Hawaii was granted a single, non-voting representative in the House.What is Hawaiis Legal Status Today?The inverted Hawaiian flag has come to symbolize the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Source: Wikimedia CommonsHawaii became the 50th state in 1959. However, is this status legal, considering the established illegal actions that were taken to get there? The measure was passed by a referendum ballot, with over 90% of voters moving to join the United States. Some say that Hawaii became a state illegally, as the path to get there violated several United Nations statutes. In addition, opponents argue that the ballot didnt give voters the option to return to independence. They say voters were assaulted by US-oriented propaganda, and since voters were only required to live on the islands for a year, many US citizens, including servicemen, were part of the vote. Areas with high numbers of native Hawaiian populations overwhelmingly voted against statehood.A 1993 apology issued as the result of a joint resolution in Congress calls the overthrow illegal, further questioning legal statehood. If a group or organization chose to pursue the stance that Hawaii was incorporated into the United States illegally, they would certainly have a legal basis on which to do so.

Robert Dudley was Queen Elizabeths closest ally, her longtime favorite, and the reason rumors and whispers of scandal followed her everywhere. Many thought that Dudley and his queen would marry, and Robert certainly did everything within his power to make that happen. However, even his most ardent attempts eventually led to failure. Despite her obvious and decades-long love for him, the queen would remain kingless and Dudley would marry twice, leading to the sovereigns most infamous outburst.I Know Her Better, Robert DudleyModern painting of Queen Elizabeth on Horseback, Tower of London, photo by John Morris. Source: FlickrWhile Thomas Seymour had a fleeting, destructive presence in Elizabeths life, Robert Dudleys companionship spanned decades, though it could hardly be called one of fidelity. If there was ever a man destined to stir up court gossip and inspire rumors of forbidden romance, it was him. Born just a year before Elizabeth, in 1532, Dudley had been a fixture in her life since they were children. They shared the same tutor, Roger Ascham, who marveled at their intellect. They shone like stars, and they certainly couldnt avoid one anothers orbit.When Elizabeths third stepmother, Catherine Howard, was executed in 1541, a young, grief-stricken Elizabeth supposedly confided in Dudley: I will never marry. This story, while famous, could also be apocryphal. It seems altogether too perfect that Robert, always listening, would remember those words for the rest of his life, allowing it to influence his hasty marriage to Amy Robsart a few years later. Conveniently, he kept Amy as far away from court as possible because he knew any whiff of her presence might damage his close relationship with Elizabeth. It wasnt the happiest marriage, but Dudley wasnt fussed.By the time Queen Mary took the throne in 1553, both Robert and Elizabeth found themselves in the Tower of London under suspicionElizabeth for plotting against her half-sister and Robert for leading troops to support his fathers ill-fated attempt to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne. This wasnt exactly a bonding vacation, but the experience certainly deepened their already sturdy foundation. It is one thing to spend time with someone over tea and dancing, it is quite another to face death together in the Tower of London at the whims of a queen both sickly and paranoid. That kind of thing really solidifies a bond.Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, by Steven van der Meulen, 1564. Source: Waddesdon ManorThankfully, Roberts mother and his brother-in-law, Henry Sidney, were working behind the scenes, pulling every string they could with the Spanish nobility close to Queen Marys husband, Philip II. This saved most of the Dudley clan (except for the doomed husband of Jane Grey, Guildford, and their father). Still, Robert was released, and his loyalty to Elizabeth only grew stronger.During Queen Marys reign, while Elizabeth lived in constant fear for her life, Robert was right by her side. The two spent hours together, sharing a love for hunting, dancing, and witty banter, though it all came with a healthy side of debilitating terror. Naturally, this closeness sparked endless gossipespecially since Dudley was still a married man.When Elizabeth finally became queen, the uncategorized relationship between the two became even more scandalous. People whispered, wagged their tongues, and made wild assumptions, but as far as can be proven, Elizabeth never crossed that line. Dudley, though, liked to remind people just how long hed been a main character in her story. In a letter later in life, he would write, I have known her better than any man alive since she was eight years old. And honestly, if anyone knew the real Elizabeth, it was probably him.The Favor Elizabeth I Showed HimDudley Coat of Arms. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAs soon as Elizabeth became queen in 1558, Robert Dudley wasted no time rushing to her sideon a white charger like a conquering prince. It was a grand entrance that set the tone for their relationship during her early reign. Elizabeth appointed him Master of the Horse on arrival. This role not only put Dudley in charge of the stables and the courts travel arrangements but also gave him daily access to the queen. Dudley was well-suited for the positiontall, handsome, and full of charisma. Their long-standing friendship soon turned heads as the two spent endless days riding, dancing, and whispering in court alcoves.Despite being aware of the scrutiny, Elizabeth continued to show Dudley her favor. One of his first major undertakings was organizing her coronation festivitiesa responsibility that cemented their close connection in the eyes of the court. Foreign dignitaries, nobles, and ministers alike quickly realized that if they wanted to get on Elizabeths good side, they needed to be pleasant with Dudley. This meteoric rise to prominence sparked plenty of envy, and it wasnt long before Dudleys enemies at court were conspiring against him.Sir Robert Dudley, after Nicholas Hilliard, 1590-99. Source: National Museum SwedenDudleys influence grew even stronger as the years went on, but a major turning point came in 1560 when his wife, Amy Robsart, died under mysterious circumstances (it appeared she fell down the stairs and broke her neck). The mystery of the 28-year-olds death remains; in May of 2024, Gillian Waters gave a six-hour lecture titled Who Killed Amy Robsart? at the University of York.Amys sudden death only lit a fire under already simmering rumors of a romance between Elizabeth and Dudley. However, Elizabeth didnt (and now, perhaps, couldnt) marry the single man without stirring up more controversy. In 1564, Elizabeth instead rewarded him, this time by elevating him to the title of Earl of Leicestera significant step up in status. She gifted him Kenilworth Castle, a sprawling estate fit for an earl and a man who seemed destined for greatness.Kenilworth Castle, by John Brandard, 18th century. Source: picrylThroughout Elizabeths reign, Dudley remained a constant figure at her side. Whether it was a wise move or not, she wouldnt let him go, famously referring to him as her Bonny Sweet Robin. She trusted him implicitly, even as she considered marrying him off to another star-crossed cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. Although, in true Elizabethan fashion, she insisted that the couple live with her at court if they wed. Robert, however, was vehemently against this union.By the end of his career, Dudley had achieved some of his greatest triumphs. One of his final and most celebrated moments came in 1588, after Englands naval victory over the Spanish Armada. Dudley rode through the streets of London in regal splendor, looking every bit the part of a king, basking in the glow of his victory in Elizabeths name. Though he never officially ruled, that parade marked the peak of his power and influence, showcasing just how deeply intertwined his fate had been with the queens.Dudley may have been a friend, but in the eyes of Elizabeth and many others, he was far more than thather closest confidant, advisor, and, in many ways, the king she never allowed herself to have.How Robert Dudley Treated Her VisitsQueen Elizabeth I, 1575. Source: Wikimedia CommonsWhen it came to Elizabeths visits, her Sweet Robin tried to make magic for her. He transformed Kenilworth Castle from a fortress into a royal retreat, all in the hope of dazzling the queen (and maybe sneaking a marriage proposal into one of those elaborate pageants). Dudley didnt just spruce up a few roomshe built an entire palace wing for her, complete with a pleasure garden designed solely for her private viewing.Elizabeth visited Kenilworth several times during her famous summer progresses, but it was the grand spectacle of 1575 that left everyone talkingand maybe a few courtiers decrying ever outdoing him. For her arrival, Dudley arranged for pageants and poems to be performed along the bridge as the queen made her way into the castle.It wasnt just about impressing her with fireworks and gun salutes, though there were plenty of those. Robert Langham, an eyewitness, describes the scene with Elizabeth being greeted by the full arsenal of Elizabethan pageantry: So passing into the inner court, her Majesty (that never rideth alone) there set down from her palfrey, and was conveyed up to her chamber; when after did follow so great a peel of guns, and such lightening by firework a long space togetherRobert Dudley in Tilting Armor, by Frederico Zuccari, 1575. Source: The British MuseumThe fireworks might have gone off without a hitch, but the play Dudley had lined upZabetawas tragically canceled due to bad weather. Written by George Gascoigne, it was a thinly veiled plea for Elizabeth to marry, with the story revolving around whether the chaste nymph Zabeta (a clever nod to Elizabeth) should accept a companion. The weather may have ruined the grand finale, but Gascoigne quickly improvised with a poetic farewell. The queen was intercepted by an actor playing Deep Desire, who delivered a pointed message on behalf of Dudley:Live here, good Queen, live here;You are amongst your friends.Their comfort comes when you approach,And when you part it ends.Performing Before Elizabeth, 1780. Source: Library of CongressIt wasnt exactly subtle, but at this late stage perhaps Dudley felt the need to state his case in a final, easily interpretable way.Her final visit to Kenilworth in 1575 lasted 19 daysthe longest Elizabeth ever stayed at a courtiers home. Dudley had made sure everything was perfect, with feasts, dances, and entertainment fit for a queen. She enjoyed herself so much that it seemed like Dudleys efforts to win her hand might actually pay off. But alas, despite the grand gestures, the dancing nymphs, and Dudleys meticulously crafted dream castle, Elizabeth still refused to share her power with any king, even if it meant rejecting her closest friend.One of Dudleys final letters to Elizabeth, written shortly before his death in 1588, reveals just how devoted he remained until the very end. From Rycote, where they had once stayed together with the court in happier times, he inquired after her health and wished her the longest, happiest life possible, signing off with a written kiss of her feet. When Elizabeth herself passed away five years after her Robin, this letter was found in a small box by her bedside, inscribed by her own hand: His Last Lettar.His BetrayalBridal Bedchamber, Mercury Changes Aglauros to Stone, design attributed to Giovanni Battista Lodi da Cremona, designed ca. 1540, woven ca. 1570. Source: The MET, New YorkWed be wrong to assume then, that Robert was a saint who closely guarded his heart and body for the sole sake of honoring the queen. He wasnt. He was already married when locked in the tower with Elizabeth to one daughter of a landed gentry family.This woman he set aside without much hesitation to chase his fortunes (and possibly Elizabeths skirts). This first union was a marriage that people whispered about, calling it one of carnal pleasures between two teenage lovebirds. But it didnt last, for reasons both scandalous and mysterious. Amys sudden and tragic death left a cloud of suspicion over Robert for years. Did he push her down the stairs to be free for Elizabeth? Or was it just a tragic accident? Either way, Dudley moved on with his string of fiery womeneach resembling the last and all wrapped up in a complicated, high-stakes game for both love and power.Robert Dudley certainly had a typewomen who were fiery, highborn, and typically redheads who could pass for royal doppelgngers. Take Douglas Howard, for instance, a maid of honor who happened to resemble her cousin Catherine Howard, the fifth of Henry VIIIs unfortunate queens. Dudleys wandering eye didnt miss a beat when it landed on Douglas, and soon enough they had a son together. Robert didnt stop there and settle down with wife and child; marriage wasnt in the cards for poor Douglas. Instead, he hopped to another striking redheadLettice Knollys.Lettice Knollys, date unknown, photo by Ann Longmore-Etheridge. Source: FlickrNow, Lettice wasnt just any pretty face at court. She was the granddaughter of Mary Boleyn and, possibly, King Henry VIII. Those around the court at this time remarked on how much both her mother and Lettice herself resembled Elizabeth. The younger Lettice was considered one of the most beautiful women of her time, and thats saying something when your main competition is Gloriana. Even when Lettice was pregnant with her husbands child (Robert Dudley really didnt wait around), her beauty was so remarkable that she was at the center of rumors and flirtations. After the death of said husband, Lettice was pregnant again, this time with a child that rumors attributed to Robert, the queens man.Robert proposed, wanting a child that could claim both his estate and that of his also heirless brother, and the two had a secret marriage. Theres no mention in the records of what happened to this pregnancy, leading modern readers to believe it wasnt carried to term successfully. Did it cause fireworks? Certainly. Elizabeths wrath was like something out of a royal reality show. The drama culminated in the queen banning Lettice from court after slapping her in front of the always-watching nobility and cutting all ties with her cousin.However, despite the sting of it being Lettice who ultimately gave Robert the legitimate heir hed longed for (one conceived unquestioningly within the bonds of marriage), the queen couldnt quit him. She brought him back to court and settled new responsibilities on her longtime favorite, who soaked up her forgiveness without any apparent misgivings.Rumors of a Love ChildFrontispiece, Sylva Sylvarum, a natural history by Francis Bacon, 1627. Source: Harvard UniversityRumors surrounding Elizabeth Is love life and secret children have swirled for centuries. And of course, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, is at the center of these titillating tales of romance and wrongdoing. Francis Baconphilosopher and father of modern scienceis said by some to have been the queens son, fathered by none other than Dudley.While modern historians tend to roll their eyes at such notions, it is fun to consider how many scandals could fit under those elaborate Tudor skirts.Look at the speculation. According to some, Elizabeth wasnt the Virgin Queen but a sly operator, more than capable of hiding pregnancies within a small circle of trusted members of her household. They believed Elizabeth, ever the master of control, used her annual summer progress as a cover for disappearing when needed. She would pack up her court and head off for a leisurely tour of her kingdom, claiming the travel was for royal dutiesor just for a much-needed break from endless political maneuvering. But in reality? Some say it was the perfect time for a secret maternity leave.And Elizabeth had another trick up her velvet sleeveher conveniently timed illnesses. Over the years, she had a litany of mysterious ailments that would suddenly force her to retreat to her suite of private rooms, away from prying eyes. Whether it was smallpox (which was certainly rampant in Elizabethan England), mysterious fevers, or just feeling unwell, her royal self-care retreats seemed to coincide suspiciously with times people later speculated she was pregnant. Some of her illnesses even caused visible swelling, taking place on separate occasions in 1554, 1561, and 1603.Statue of Francis Bacon, Library of Congress, by John J Boyle. Source: Library of CongressThis all circles back to the juicy claim that Francis Bacon, a man of intellect and ambition, might have been the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth and Dudley, hidden away and raised by Sir Nicholas and Lady Anne Bacon, a couple who were loyal to the crown and conveniently childless at the time. Bacons birth in 1561 coincides with one of these rumored retreats, where Elizabeth took to her private apartments for weeks under the guise of an unspecified illness. Was she simply catching up on royal beauty sleep? Was she suffering from some of the conditions that plagued her brother and sister when they ruled before her?If Bacon was the queens love child, why didnt Elizabeth acknowledge him as heir? Some historians point to the fact that, technically, he wouldnt have been lawfully begotten, since any marriage with Dudley wouldve been secret. Yet, an intriguing change in the 1571 Act of Treason gave the Queen the power to name any natural issue (read: a kid, even if born out of wedlock) as her successor. Was this act passed to pave the way for her to eventually acknowledge a hidden child? Perhaps it was just another one of those Elizabethan legal loopholes no one ever planned to use.Francis Bacon, by Paul van Somer I, 1617. Source: The Royal Lazienki MuseumFirst, there was Francis Bacon. Then, there was the dramatic tale of Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Essex. Like Bacon, Essex was also rumored to be one of Elizabeths sons, although his story took a decidedly less intellectual turnending in his own execution at the queens command in 1601. What says royal family drama more than a mother signing off on the execution of her potential love child?However, Elizabeth had a history of letting some of Devereuxs worst behavior slide. He was welcomed back into the royal fold after he got mad and showed her his back (one of the most egregious royal etiquette breaches), after he went to Ireland in her name and led a failed campaign, and even after he deserted his post when things got sticky. She only signed the execution order when he tried to cause Londoners to riot against her. In a shocking twist, it was Francis Bacon who prosecuted the case against him.In any case, these rumorswhether born of wishful thinking, jealousy, or the genuine hidden scandals of the royal courthave continued to capture the imaginations of historians and gossipmongers alike. What we do know is that Elizabeth and Dudleys relationship was unusually close, filled with undeniable affection and plenty of mystery. Whether or not they left any love children behind, they certainly left behind a story worthy of a soap operaor at least an intriguing episode of The Crown.

While most people toss banana peels, there are plenty of reasons to freeze these scraps and save them for later, including to use in other dishes or as compost.

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk would have turned 32 today. A few days ago, President Donald Trump said that he'd be awarding Kirk the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom,

DragonImages/iStock/Getty Images Plus .ta-paywall-container {position: relative;display: flex;flex-direction: column; min-height:60px;} #ta-paywall-overlay {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;right: 0;bottom:

DragonImages/iStock/Getty Images Plus .ta-paywall-container {position: relative;display: flex;flex-direction: column; min-height:60px;} #ta-paywall-overlay {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;right: 0;bottom:

Will the fourth time be the charm for a bill in Florida repealing the prohibition on retail gun sales to adults under the age of 21, or will Senate Republicans once again block the legislation from getting

In this episode, the Common Core Diva Lynne Taylor joins me to expound on recent talks of peace, which the Trump administration proposes but are directly tied to the Sustainable Development Goals advanced

A judge is pushing the Trump Administration to dismantle a security feature protecting federal agents at an ICE facility in Illinois. And the deadline is TONIGHT. Would it surprise you if I mentioned