Raphael Sanzio & Margherita Luti: The charming, suave, amiable Raphael was so popular he became known as "the prince of painters." He was very publicly engaged to Maria Bibbiena, the niece of a powerful cardinal, but scholars believe he may have secretly married Margherita Luti, the daughter of a Sienese baker. If word of this marriage got out, it would have severely damaged his reputation; but Raphael was just the type of man to throw caution to the wind and follow his heart.
Richard I & Berengaria: Was Richard the Lionheart gay? Some scholars believe it to be the reason he and Berengaria never had children. But then, their relationship was so strained Richard was ordered by the pope to patch things up.
Robert Guiscard & Sichelgaita: Sichelgaita (or Sikelgaita) was a Lombard princess who married Guiscard, a Norman warlord, and proceeded to accompany him on many campaigns. Anna Comnena wrote of Sichelgaita: "When dressed in full armor, the woman was a fearsome sight." When Robert died during the siege of Cephalonia, Sichelgaita was right by his side.
Robin Hood & Maid Marian: The legends of Robin Hood may have been based on the activities of real-life outlaws of the 12th century, though if so, scholars have no definitive proof of who precisely served as their inspiration. Marian stories were a later addition to the corpus.
Romeo & Juliet: Who doesn't know the story of the star-crossed lovers?
Tristan & Isolde: The story of Tristan & Isolde was incorporated into Arthurian tales, but its origins are a Celtic legend that may be based on an actual Pictish king.
Troilus & Criseyde: The character of Troilus is a Trojan prince who falls in love with a Greek captive. In Geoffrey Chaucer's poem she is Criseyde (in William Shakespeare's play she is Cressida), and though she declares her love for Troilus, when she is ransomed by her people she goes to live with a big Greek hero.
Uther & Igraine: Arthur's father Uther was king, and he coveted the wife of the Duke of Cornwall, Igraine. So Merlin cast a spell on Uther to make him look like Cornwall, and while the real duke was out fighting, he slipped in to have his way with the virtuous lady. The result? Cornwall died in battle, and Arthur was born nine months later.
William of Normandy & Matilda: Before he seriously took aim at the crown of England, William the Conqueror set his sights on Matilda, daughter of Baldwin V of Flanders. Though he was distantly related to her and the pope condemned the marriage as incestuous, the pair went through with the wedding. Was it all for love of the lady? Perhaps, but his alliance with Baldwin was critical in cementing his position as Duke of Normandy. Still, he and Matilda had ten children, and to patch things up with the pope, they built two monasteries at Caen.
Do you know of a famous, interesting, or important couple from Medieval times you think should be included here? Please contact me with the details.
Think you know your famous couples? Try the Medieval Couples Quiz.
