I'm reading a 16th century history of the Kings of England. It starts from Egbert, the first Anglo Saxon King of (most of) England and runs to Elizabeth I (very little on her as the writer was aware of the political risk). There's one page also on James I, so obviously she died whilst he was writing.
Anyway, I've just finished Henry II (12th Century) and wanted to share a story. Henry didn't like his wife and was very lascivious, reputably having tens of concubines. The most beautiful was Rosamund Clifford, with a reputation across Europe as being 'The Rose of England'. Henry's wife was jealous and wanted to kill her. So Henry hid her in a building within a labyrinth so complex that he had to leave a path of twine so he could visit himself. Is this the source of the fairy tales of Rapunzel or The Sleeping Beauty?
There's a 14th Century extension to this story: Henry's wife found the twine, followed it and gained entry. She challenged Rosamund to take poison or the dagger. She chose poison and was buried nearby. Next to her coffin they placed her chest, which when opened displayed live birds, animals and fish. The modern editor has added a footnote - "there is no contemporary evidence of this. Rosamund died of natural causes."
Really enjoying the book; about halfway through now. What is striking so far is that every king spends so much time fighting Vikings (until William the Conqueror), France (after William) or is embroiled in civil war. Sons against fathers; brother against brother and king against king. And once the king takes power he's immediately facing insurrection by various Earls and Lords who constantly rise up against him. We're so lucky to live in times where for the most part borders are accepted.
