Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 124
February 5, 2022
Seventy Years of Queen Elizabeth II – Becoming Queen
As her father’s health deteriorated, Elizabeth was called upon more than ever to stand in for her father when he was too sick to do so. It was soon apparent that both Elizabeth and Philip were needed to represent the sovereign. King George VI was seriously ill with cancer. They would need to go on a long-planned state visit to Australia, New Zealand and Ceylon and decided to add a few days in Kenya. On 31 January 1952, the King and Queen went with Elizabeth to the airport to wave them off. Winston Churchill later said, “I think he knew that he had not long to live.”1
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesHe returned to Sandringham the following day, and on 5 February, he was out shooting hares and rabbits. He apparently spent the evening quite happily and planned the shooting for the next day. He ate dinner with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, and several friends. He went to bed around 10.30 and was spotted after midnight by a watchman as he fiddled with the window. In the early morning of 6 February, the King was found dead in his bed – the cause of death was a blood clot in his heart. He was found by his valet, James MacDonald, around 7.30 a.m. Immediately, “Hyde Park Corner” was set in motion.
It took a while to contact Elizabeth and Philip in Kenya. Elizabeth had become Queen while watching rhinos at a waterhole from Treetops Hotel high up in a fig tree. At dawn, Elizabeth, Philip and Philip’s equerry Michael Parker returned to Sagana Royal Lodge, which had been given to Elizabeth and Philip by the people of the Kenya Colony as their wedding present. Elizabeth’s Private Secretary Martin Charteris informed Michael Parker of the news, and Michael Parker told Prince Philip. Michael Parker later said, “He looked as if you’d dropped half the world on him.”2
It was Philip who broke the news to Elizabeth. She apparently did not cry but was “pale and worried.” They then took a long walk along the river. When asked what her name should be, she answered, “My own name, of course. What else?” Martin Charteris later said he found her “very composed, absolute master of her fate, we thought.”3
After a 19-hour flight back home, Elizabeth emerged as Queen dressed in a simple black coat and hat. At Clarence House, Elizabeth found her grandmother Queen Mary waiting to kiss her hand, though she added, “Lillibet, your skirts are much too short for mourning.”4
Embed from Getty ImagesHer Accession Council took place the following day at St. James’s Palace, and she declared, “By the sudden death of my dear father, I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty. My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples, spread as they are the world over… I pray that God will help me to discharge worthily this heavy task that has been lain upon me so early in my life.” On 15 February, her father was laid to rest.
Embed from Getty ImagesLittle did anyone know that this would be the start of a record-breaking reign. She is currently the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch. This year she is set to become the third and second longest-reigning monarch. On 24 May 2024, she will become the world’s longest-reigning monarch.
The post Seventy Years of Queen Elizabeth II – Becoming Queen appeared first on History of Royal Women.
The Queen supports Camilla becoming Queen when the time comes
On the eve of her accession day, Her Majesty The Queen has publically called for The Duchess of Cornwall to become Queen consort when Charles succeeds as King.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, The Queen wrote, “This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years. I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me. And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes,
Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
At the time of Charles and Camilla’s marriage, it was announced that she would be known as “Princess consort”1, although the actual implementation of that seemed rather iffy, as a wife automatically takes the rank and status of her husband. As Charles would be a King, Camilla should automatically take on the feminine form of this title – Queen (consort) – as all the Queen consorts before her. This statement from The Queen should make it clear that this is how it should be and will be.
The post The Queen supports Camilla becoming Queen when the time comes appeared first on History of Royal Women.
February 4, 2022
Crown Princess Mary at 50: A Queen in waiting
The future Crown Princess of Denmark was born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson on 5 February 1972 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia as the youngest daughter of John Dalgleish Donaldson and his first wife, Henrietta Clark Horne. She has two sisters, Jane Stephens and Patricia Bailey and a brother John Stuart Donaldson. Mary’s mother died on 20 November 1997, and her father remarried to Susan Elizabeth Horwood in 2001.
Mary spent two years of her early education at Clear Lake City Elementary School in Houston, Texas, where her father was working at the time. Upon the family’s return to Australia in 1975, she attended the Sandy Bay Infants School until 1977. After that, she attended the Waimea Heights Primary School until 1982. She attended the Taroona High School from 1983 until 1986, and she also spent two years at the Hobart Matriculation College, where she developed a love for sports. She enrolled in the University of Tasmania in 1989 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Law in 1994.
She began her career with the advertising agency DDB Needham in their graduate program and became an account executive for client management. Over the years, she worked at MOJO Partners, Rapp Collins Worldwide of Edinburgh, Young and Rubicam, Love and Belle Property.
Embed from Getty ImagesMary met her future husband, Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, on 16 September 2000 during the 2000 Summer Olympics. He travelled back and forth between Denmark, and they conducted a long-distance relationship. Mary briefly worked in Paris before making the final move to Denmark. On 24 September 2003, it was announced that Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe II of Denmark intended to give her consent to their marriage. They were officially engaged on 8 October 2003.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn 14 May 2004, Mary and Frederik married in Copenhagen Cathedral. Mary wore a wedding dress designed by Uffe Frank, a Danish designer. Her bridal party included her two sisters and her friend Amber. Mary’s veil had a rich royal history and was first worn by Princess Margaret of Connaught, later Crown Princess of Sweden. Her daughter Ingrid became Queen of Denmark and was the mother of Queen Margrethe II. Both wore the veil as well. Mary’s wedding tiara was a gift from Queen Margrethe and her husband, Prince Henrik. Mary also converted from Presbyterianism to the Lutheran Church of Denmark. Upon marriage, she became Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark. She was also granted the Danish nationality.
After the wedding, the newlyweds spent the summer on a working tour of Denmark, before travelling to Greenland and attending the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Their first child, Prince Christian, was born the following year on 15 October. He was followed by Princess Isabella on 21 April 2007 and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine on 8 January 2011.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesAs Crown Princess of Denmark, Mary has picked up a number of royal patronages and she learned to speak Danish fluently. In 2019, she became the first person not born into the Danish royal family since 1972 to be appointed rigsforstander (regent). If she becomes Queen consort as expected, she’ll be the first Australian-born Queen consort in a reigning European dynasty.1
The post Crown Princess Mary at 50: A Queen in waiting appeared first on History of Royal Women.
A wedding present for a Princess – The Queen Anne and Queen Caroline Pearl Necklaces
The Queen Anne and Queen Caroline Pearl Necklaces were given to the then Princess Elizabeth for her wedding.
The two pearl necklaces are usually worn together to resemble a double-stranded pearl necklace, but they are, in fact, two separate necklaces. The smaller of the two is the Queen Anne Necklace, which consists of 46 pearls, and it used to belong to Queen Anne. The slightly bigger necklace is the Queen Carolina necklace, which consists of 50 pearls, and it used to belong to Queen Caroline.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesPrincess Elizabeth wore the necklaces for her wedding ceremony, although she had forgotten them as they were still on display with her other wedding presents. Her new private secretary, Jock Colville, was sent to get them, and he only managed to get to her in time because King Haakon VII of Norway loaned him his limousine. Nevertheless, he still had to sprint part of the way because of the crowds.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd thus, Princess Elizabeth became Duchess of Edinburgh with these historic pearls around her neck, and she has worn them occasionally since her wedding.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe post A wedding present for a Princess – The Queen Anne and Queen Caroline Pearl Necklaces appeared first on History of Royal Women.
New photos of The Queen as she views Jubilee history
A number of new photographs of Her Majesty The Queen have been released ahead of her accession day on 6 February.
On Sunday, The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Jubilees have been traditionally marked by festivities and well-wishes from around the world, and the Royal Archives and the Royal Collection hold various items commemorating these events. Ahead of her accession day, The Queen has viewed several of these items to mark the start of the celebrations.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe items were shown to Her Majesty by Dr Stella Panayotova, Librarian and Assistant Keeper of The Royal Archives, in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle. She viewed homemade cards and artwork by members of the public, including a fingerprint painting of Her Majesty, created by children in a nursery and primary school in Leicestershire for the Golden Jubilee.
She was also shown Queen Victoria’s Autograph fan, given to Queen Victoria in 1887, the year of her Golden Jubilee, by The Prince and Princess of Wales (the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra). Between 1891 and 1900, various relations and friends signed their names on the fan, presumably at Queen Victoria’s request. Family signatures include those of Alix (of Hesse, later Tsarina of Russia) and Nicky (later Tsar Nicholas II of Russia).
The post New photos of The Queen as she views Jubilee history appeared first on History of Royal Women.
February 3, 2022
Book Review: The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne by Helen Cathcart
*review copy*
The title of Princess Royal is usually granted by the British monarch to their eldest daughter. It was Henrietta Maria of France, consort of King Charles I, who wanted to have a title similar to the “Madame Royale” title in France. It was their daughter Mary who became the first Princess Royal in 1642. However, the French Madame Royale was often used for the eldest unmarried daughter and could pass to the next daughter when the elder married. The British Princess Royal title is for life and can only be granted again when the holder dies.
So far, there have been seven Princesses Royal.
The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Annel by Helen Cathcart covers all seven of these women, but most of the book is spent on the latest Princess Royal, Anne. The information seems to be factual, and the book is easy to read. However, the original version of this book is from the 80s, and although it has been given a new cover, the information has not been updated. I would consider this an enormous miss. I can’t even imagine publishing a book again and not updating it, even though so much time has passed.
Don’t even bother.
This book is available now in both the UK and the US.
The post Book Review: The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne by Helen Cathcart appeared first on History of Royal Women.
February 2, 2022
A first look at Becoming Elizabeth
STARZ has shared four new images from the new series about Queen Elizabeth I, Becoming Elizabeth. The series is set to be released in the summer of 2022 and it will star Alicia von Rittberg as Queen Elizabeth I.
Here’s your first look at #BecomingElizabeth, coming to @STARZ Summer 2022. pic.twitter.com/U48K6dwZ6N
— Becoming Elizabeth (@BecomingSTARZ) February 3, 2022
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February 1, 2022
Royal Wedding Recollections – The Prince of Orange & Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti
On 2 February 2002, Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti married the heir to the Dutch throne, Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange. They had met in Spain in 1999, and he proposed to her in late 2000 while skating on a frozen pond behind Huis ten Bosch. He proposed to her in English to make sure she would understand the question. The engagement was kept a secret for a while to avoid overshadowing the wedding of Willem-Alexander’s younger brother Prince Constantijn and Laurentien Brinkhorst. However, it was eventually announced on 30 March 2001 by Queen Beatrix. Although Máxima became a naturalized Dutch citizen, she did not convert from Roman Catholicism, which meant that upon marriage, her husband lost his (distant) place in the line of the British succession. He was reinstated with the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.
A civil ceremony was performed first by the Major of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, at the Beurs van Berlage. The following religious ceremony took place in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, where Willem-Alexander would receive his inauguration as King 11 years later. Unfortunately, due to controversy surrounding Maxima’s father, her parents were not present at the wedding. In honour of her parents, who were absent, Adiós Nonino, an Argentine tango by Astor Piazzolla, was played, leading to the iconic single tear on the bride’s face.
Máxima wore a dress of ivory mikado silk with a cowl neckline and three-quarter sleeves. It had a five-metre long train and was designed by Valentino. Her veil was made of silk tulle and was embroidered with a flower and tendril motif. She wore the Dutch Pearl Button Tiara, but the pearls had been swapped out for five diamond stars. She also carried a bouquet of white roses, gardenias and lilies of the valley.
Embed from Getty ImagesClick to view slideshow.Willem-Alexander wore the dress uniform of a captain of the Royal Netherlands Navy with the riband and star of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, the star of a Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau, the Officers’ Cross and the Queen Beatrix Inauguration Medal.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfterwards, the newlyweds went a carriage ride in the Golden Coach before returning to the Royal Palace for a balcony appearance and, of course, a kiss.
Embed from Getty ImagesAmong the wedding guest were also many representatives of foreign royal families, such as the Prince of Wales and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the King and Queen of the Belgians, the Queen of Denmark and the King and Queen of Sweden.
Máxima became known as Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Mrs. van Amsberg by royal decree.1 Since then, they have gone on to have three children, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane.
The post Royal Wedding Recollections – The Prince of Orange & Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti appeared first on History of Royal Women.
January 30, 2022
Zoë & Theodora Porphyrogenita – How two sisters ruled the Byzantine Empire
Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita was one of the four women in the Byzantine Empire to rule in her own name. She was crucial in establishing the principles of the dynastic successions of the Byzantine Empire.[1] She was also the second Empress of Byzantium who held supreme power. Despite her accomplishments, Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita led a turbulent life, and she was married three times. All three of her marriages were unhappy, and she remained childless. She briefly co-ruled with her sister, Theodora, until she ousted her from power.
Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita was born around 978 C.E in Constantinople.[2] Her father was Emperor Constantine VIII, who co-ruled with his brother, Emperor Basil II.[3] Her mother was Empress Helena. Princess Zoe had two sisters; Eudokia and Theodora. Eudokia was disfigured due to a childhood illness and would be sent into a convent to become a nun.[4] Her younger sister, Theodora, would become the sole ruler of the Byzantine empire in 1055 C.E.
Princess Zoë was selected to become the wife of Otto III, the Holy Roman Emperor.[5] She set sail in 1001 C.E., but upon arrival at Barri, she learned that he had died in February 1002 of fever.[6] Thus, she had to return home to Constantinople.[7] Emperor Basil II died in 1025 C.E., and Emperor Constantine VIII became the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
In November 1028 C.E., Emperor Constantine VIII was dying, yet he had already chosen a husband for Princess Zoë. He chose Romanos Argyros, the prefect of Constantinople.[8] He was older than Princess Zoë and already had a wife named Helena.[9] Helena was forced to enter the convent.[10] With his wife now a nun, Romanos Argyros and Princess Zoë were married and were crowned Emperor and Empress on 8 November 1028 C.E. On 11 November 1028 C.E., Emperor Constantine VIII died.
The marriage between Empress Zoë and Emperor Romanos III was very unhappy. Empress Zoë did not produce any children, and the Emperor took a mistress.[11] Zoë fell for Michael, her chamberlain.[12] They quickly became lovers. Zoë decided to eliminate her husband Romanos and make her lover emperor.[13] On 11 April 1034 C.E. (Good Friday), Empress Zoë had Romanos III drowned in his own bath.[14] This cleared the way for her to marry Michael. They married on the same day her husband had died, and her lover became Emperor Michael IV.[15]
The marriage between Empress Zoë and Emperor Michael IV was initially a happy one. Since Empress Zoë had a hand in Romanos III’s death, Michael IV began to distrust his wife, and he was heavily influenced by his brother, John the Orphonotrophos.[16] Michael IV also feared that his wife would murder him as she did his predecessor and confined her to her rooms.[17] Shortly afterwards, he stopped seeing her altogether.[18] In 1037 C.E., she tried to have John poisoned, but the plot was discovered.[19] Empress Zoë was kept under close supervision.[20]
In 1041 C.E., Emperor Michael IV was dying of epilepsy, and he had retired to the monastery of Sts. Kosmas and Damian.[21] Empress Zoë was forced to adopt Michael’s nephew, who was also named Michael, as her son.[22] Emperor Michael IV died on 10 December 1041 C.E. Before his death, he released his wife from confinement.[23] Empress Zoë forgave her husband for his mistreatment of her.[24] She was on her way to visit him, but he died before she arrived at the monastery.[25]
Emperor Michael V was crowned on 13 December 1041 C.E. The first few days of Emperor Michael V’s reign, Empress Zoë had complete control of the government.[26] She banished three of Michael IV’s brothers, John, Constantine, and George.[27] Empress Zoë was also given precedence of her name before Emperor Michael V in public proclamations.[28] Because her name was said first before the Emperor, Michael V began to hate his adopted mother.[29] He brought back all of his uncles except Constantine.[30] On the night of 18 April 1042 C.E., Emperor Michael V banished her to a monastery on Principius. This caused public outrage, and on 19 April 1042 C.E., the mob ousted Emperor Michael V.[31] On 21 April 1042 C.E., the public crowned Empress Zoë and her sister Theodora.[32] Emperor Michael V was deposed, blinded, and banished to a monastery.[33] Thus it was the first time that Byzantine was ruled solely by two Empresses.[34]
The two sisters decided that since Empress Zoë was the elder, she would be given precedence over Empress Theodora.[35] The sisters abolished the sale of offices, raised many to the senate, and gave many generous donations to the people.[36] The government was at peace.[37] They settled lawsuits, made decisions on taxation and administrative issues, and held audiences with the ambassadors.[38] However, the two began to have different beliefs in governing the empire, and each wanted to be the sole ruler.[39] Two months after they were crowned jointly, Zoë (who was sixty-four years old) staged a coup against her sister.[40] This time, she became the sole ruler of the Byzantine empire.[41]
However, Empress Zoë feared that her rule was insecure. To consolidate her rule, Empress Zoë needed to find a strong husband.[42] Empress Zoë chose Constantine Monomachos, a civil aristocrat who was in exile in Mytilene, to be her husband.[43] On 11 June 1042 C.E., the two married, and he was crowned as Constantine IX. He brought with him his mistress, Maria Skleraina.[44] She was treated as a minor Empress and second to Empresses Zoë and Theodora.[45] The public did not like how Constantine IX paraded his mistress in Constantinople.[46] On 9 March 1044 C.E., a popular revolt against Maria Skleraina took place. Constantine IX, who was out on the streets, was almost harmed by the mob.[47] In 1045 C.E., Maria Skleraina died from chest pains and asthma.[48] She was buried in the Church of St. George of Mangana.[49]
Empress Zoë did not meddle much in politics at this point in time, and she gave the reins of power to her husband, Constantine IX.[50] She loved spending her free time making cosmetics and perfumes.[51] She was also very pious.[52] She founded a church in honour of both Christ Antiphonetes and her husband Constantine IX.[53] She commissioned a copy of an icon of Christ Antiphonetes in the Church of the Virgin in the Chalkoprateia.[54] Empress Zoë died in 1050 C.E. at the age of seventy-two.[55] Before her death, she remitted debts and pardoned criminals.[56] She is depicted in the famous gold and glass mosaic in the Hagia Sophia with the inscription, “Zoë, the most pious Augusta.”[57]Thus, regardless of Zoë’s murderous history, her Byzantine people revered her as their Princess and Empress.
Sources:
Cartwright, M. (2018, 19 April). Empress Zoe. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Empress_....
Garland, L.(2011). Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power in Byzantium AD 527-1204. New York: Routledge.
“Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages, edited by Anne Commire and Deborah Klezmer, vol. 2, Yorkin Publications, 2007, p. 2066. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2588825696/G....
Zoe. (2017). In Encyclopaedia Britannica, Britannica concise encyclopedia. Britannica Digital Learning. Credo Reference: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/....
[1] “Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[2]Zoe. para. 1
[3] “Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[4] Garland, p. 205
[5] “Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[6] Garland, p. 205
[7] Garland, p. 205
[8] Garland, p. 205
[9] Garland, p. 206
[10] Garland, p. 206
[11] Garland, p. 207
[12] Zoe. para. 1
[13]Zoe. para. 1
[14] Garland, p. 207
[15] Garland, p. 207
[16] Garland, p. 208
[17] Garland, p. 208
[18] Garland, p. 208
[19] Garland, p. 209
[20] Garland, p. 209
[21] Garland, p. 210
[22] Garland, p. 209
[23] Garland, p. 210
[24] Garland, p. 210
[25] Garland, p. 210
[26] Garland, p. 211
[27] Garland, p. 211
[28] Garland, p. 211
[29] Garland, p. 211
[30] Garland, p. 211
[31] Zoe. para. 1
[32] Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[33] Zoe. para. 1
[34] Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[35] Garland, p. 215
[36] Garland, p. 215
[37] Garland, p. 216
[38] Garland, p. 216
[39] Garland, p. 216
[40] Garland, p. 216
[41] Garland, p. 216
[42] Zoe. para. 1
[43] Garland, p. 218
[44] Garland, p. 218
[45] Garland, pp. 222-223
[46] Garland, p. 224
[47] Garland, p. 224
[48] Garland, p. 225
[49] Garland, p. 225
[50] Garland, p. 226
[51] Garland, p. 226
[52] Garland, p. 227
[53] Garland, p. 231
[54] Garland, p. 231
[55] Garland, p. 232
[56] Garland, p. 232
[57]Cartwright, para. 14
The post Zoë & Theodora Porphyrogenita – How two sisters ruled the Byzantine Empire appeared first on History of Royal Women.
Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita – How two sisters ruled the Byzantine Empire
Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita was one of the four women in the Byzantine Empire to rule in her own name. She was crucial in establishing the principles of the dynastic successions of the Byzantine Empire.[1] She was also the second Empress of Byzantium who held supreme power. Despite her accomplishments, Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita led a turbulent life, and she was married three times. All three of her marriages were unhappy, and she remained childless. She briefly co-ruled with her sister, Theodora, until she ousted her from power.
Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita was born around 978 C.E in Constantinople.[2] Her father was Emperor Constantine VIII, who co-ruled with his brother, Emperor Basil II.[3] Her mother was Empress Helena. Princess Zoe had two sisters; Eudokia and Theodora. Eudokia was disfigured due to a childhood illness and would be sent into a convent to become a nun.[4] Her younger sister, Theodora, would become the sole ruler of the Byzantine empire in 1055 C.E.
Princess Zoë was selected to become the wife of Otto III, the Holy Roman Emperor.[5] She set sail in 1001 C.E., but upon arrival at Barri, she learned that he had died in February 1002 of fever.[6] Thus, she had to return home to Constantinople.[7] Emperor Basil II died in 1025 C.E., and Emperor Constantine VIII became the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
In November 1028 C.E., Emperor Constantine VIII was dying, yet he had already chosen a husband for Princess Zoë. He chose Romanos Argyros, the prefect of Constantinople.[8] He was older than Princess Zoë and already had a wife named Helena.[9] Helena was forced to enter the convent.[10] With his wife now a nun, Romanos Argyros and Princess Zoë were married and were crowned Emperor and Empress on 8 November 1028 C.E. On 11 November 1028 C.E., Emperor Constantine VIII died.
The marriage between Empress Zoë and Emperor Romanos III was very unhappy. Empress Zoë did not produce any children, and the Emperor took a mistress.[11] Zoë fell for Michael, her chamberlain.[12] They quickly became lovers. Zoë decided to eliminate her husband Romanos and make her lover emperor.[13] On 11 April 1034 C.E. (Good Friday), Empress Zoë had Romanos III drowned in his own bath.[14] This cleared the way for her to marry Michael. They married on the same day her husband had died, and her lover became Emperor Michael IV.[15]
The marriage between Empress Zoë and Emperor Michael IV was initially a happy one. Since Empress Zoë had a hand in Romanos III’s death, Michael IV began to distrust his wife, and he was heavily influenced by his brother, John the Orphonotrophos.[16] Michael IV also feared that his wife would murder him as she did his predecessor and confined her to her rooms.[17] Shortly afterwards, he stopped seeing her altogether.[18] In 1037 C.E., she tried to have John poisoned, but the plot was discovered.[19] Empress Zoë was kept under close supervision.[20]
In 1041 C.E., Emperor Michael IV was dying of epilepsy, and he had retired to the monastery of Sts. Kosmas and Damian.[21] Empress Zoë was forced to adopt Michael’s nephew, who was also named Michael, as her son.[22] Emperor Michael IV died on 10 December 1041 C.E. Before his death, he released his wife from confinement.[23] Empress Zoë forgave her husband for his mistreatment of her.[24] She was on her way to visit him, but he died before she arrived at the monastery.[25]
Emperor Michael V was crowned on 13 December 1041 C.E. The first few days of Emperor Michael V’s reign, Empress Zoë had complete control of the government.[26] She banished three of Michael IV’s brothers, John, Constantine, and George.[27] Empress Zoë was also given precedence of her name before Emperor Michael V in public proclamations.[28] Because her name was said first before the Emperor, Michael V began to hate his adopted mother.[29] He brought back all of his uncles except Constantine.[30] On the night of 18 April 1042 C.E., Emperor Michael V banished her to a monastery on Principius. This caused public outrage, and on 19 April 1042 C.E., the mob ousted Emperor Michael V.[31] On 21 April 1042 C.E., the public crowned Empress Zoë and her sister Theodora.[32] Emperor Michael V was deposed, blinded, and banished to a monastery.[33] Thus it was the first time that Byzantine was ruled solely by two Empresses.[34]
The two sisters decided that since Empress Zoë was the elder, she would be given precedence over Empress Theodora.[35] The sisters abolished the sale of offices, raised many to the senate, and gave many generous donations to the people.[36] The government was at peace.[37] They settled lawsuits, made decisions on taxation and administrative issues, and held audiences with the ambassadors.[38] However, the two began to have different beliefs in governing the empire, and each wanted to be the sole ruler.[39] Two months after they were crowned jointly, Zoë (who was sixty-four years old) staged a coup against her sister.[40] This time, she became the sole ruler of the Byzantine empire.[41]
However, Empress Zoë feared that her rule was insecure. To consolidate her rule, Empress Zoë needed to find a strong husband.[42] Empress Zoë chose Constantine Monomachos, a civil aristocrat who was in exile in Mytilene, to be her husband.[43] On 11 June 1042 C.E., the two married, and he was crowned as Constantine IX. He brought with him his mistress, Maria Skleraina.[44] She was treated as a minor Empress and second to Empresses Zoë and Theodora.[45] The public did not like how Constantine IX paraded his mistress in Constantinople.[46] On 9 March 1044 C.E., a popular revolt against Maria Skleraina took place. Constantine IX, who was out on the streets, was almost harmed by the mob.[47] In 1045 C.E., Maria Skleraina died from chest pains and asthma.[48] She was buried in the Church of St. George of Mangana.[49]
Empress Zoë did not meddle much in politics at this point in time, and she gave the reins of power to her husband, Constantine IX.[50] She loved spending her free time making cosmetics and perfumes.[51] She was also very pious.[52] She founded a church in honour of both Christ Antiphonetes and her husband Constantine IX.[53] She commissioned a copy of an icon of Christ Antiphonetes in the Church of the Virgin in the Chalkoprateia.[54] Empress Zoë died in 1050 C.E. at the age of seventy-two.[55] Before her death, she remitted debts and pardoned criminals.[56] She is depicted in the famous gold and glass mosaic in the Hagia Sophia with the inscription, “Zoë, the most pious Augusta.”[57]Thus, regardless of Zoë’s murderous history, her Byzantine people revered her as their Princess and Empress.
Sources:
Cartwright, M. (2018, 19 April). Empress Zoe. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Empress_....
Garland, L.(2011). Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power in Byzantium AD 527-1204. New York: Routledge.
“Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages, edited by Anne Commire and Deborah Klezmer, vol. 2, Yorkin Publications, 2007, p. 2066. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2588825696/G....
Zoe. (2017). In Encyclopaedia Britannica, Britannica concise encyclopedia. Britannica Digital Learning. Credo Reference: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/....
[1] “Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[2]Zoe. para. 1
[3] “Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[4] Garland, p. 205
[5] “Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[6] Garland, p. 205
[7] Garland, p. 205
[8] Garland, p. 205
[9] Garland, p. 206
[10] Garland, p. 206
[11] Garland, p. 207
[12] Zoe. para. 1
[13]Zoe. para. 1
[14] Garland, p. 207
[15] Garland, p. 207
[16] Garland, p. 208
[17] Garland, p. 208
[18] Garland, p. 208
[19] Garland, p. 209
[20] Garland, p. 209
[21] Garland, p. 210
[22] Garland, p. 209
[23] Garland, p. 210
[24] Garland, p. 210
[25] Garland, p. 210
[26] Garland, p. 211
[27] Garland, p. 211
[28] Garland, p. 211
[29] Garland, p. 211
[30] Garland, p. 211
[31] Zoe. para. 1
[32] Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[33] Zoe. para. 1
[34] Zoé Porphyrogenita (980–1050).” para. 2
[35] Garland, p. 215
[36] Garland, p. 215
[37] Garland, p. 216
[38] Garland, p. 216
[39] Garland, p. 216
[40] Garland, p. 216
[41] Garland, p. 216
[42] Zoe. para. 1
[43] Garland, p. 218
[44] Garland, p. 218
[45] Garland, pp. 222-223
[46] Garland, p. 224
[47] Garland, p. 224
[48] Garland, p. 225
[49] Garland, p. 225
[50] Garland, p. 226
[51] Garland, p. 226
[52] Garland, p. 227
[53] Garland, p. 231
[54] Garland, p. 231
[55] Garland, p. 232
[56] Garland, p. 232
[57]Cartwright, para. 14
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