Matchmaking Royal Weddings 1150 to 1900

Matchmaking for Royals until mid twentieth century was not about romance and love but about having legitimate male heirs and extending power. Henry II increased his wealth and lands by marrying Eleanor or Aquitaine. Henry and Eleanor had five sons and three daughters. Henry VIII first marriage was about consolidating national power but his first and second wife did not produce male heirs. His first marriage was annulled and his second wife was beheaded. King Henry II and Eleanor of AquitainernHenry II of England (1133-1189) was the great-grandson of William the Conqueror. Ruling King of England (1154-1189) was Lord of Ireland, Count of Anjou, Count of Nantes, Count of Maine, Duke of Aquitaine and Duke of Gascony. Various times as King he controlled parts of Western France, Wales and Scotland. At the age of 19 Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine age 28 years. During the High Middle Ages in Western Europe Eleanor was a women power and prestige. She is the only women to be both queen in France and England. Eleanor of Aquitaine was previously married to King Louis VII of France. Two months after Eleanor’s annulment from King Louis VII she married Henry II of England. Henry and Eleanor had eight children five sons and three daughters. The most famous of their children was Richard the Loinheart. A queen’s duty was to bore sons. Eleanor and King Louis VII had two daughters. Henry VIII of EnglandrnHenry VIII of England 1491 – 1547) Ruled England from 1509 until his death. Henry VIII England’s for his many marriages. Henry VIII was married six times. rnHenry was an accomplished author, poet and musician. He was considered a Renaissance Man. Henry’s first wife was Catherine of Aragon they married in 1501. Catherine of Aragon had previously been married to Henry’s brother Prince Arthur. Arthur died five months after their marriage. Subsequently, her married Henry his first marriage and her second marriage. Mary was not able to produce a male heir. Henry annulled his first marriage and marriage Anne Boleyn in 1532. Their first and only child was Elizabeth I (The Virgin Queen). Anne’s marriage to Henry was in jeopardy because she had not given birth to a legitimate male heir. Anne miscarried during her second pregnancy. On May 1536 Anne Boleyn was taken to the Tower of London. She was accused of adultery, high treason and incest. Anne Boleyn was beheaded that same month and year. Anne Boleyn sister, Mary Boleyn had previously been King Henry’s mistress and it is believed she bore him a son and daughter. His third wife was his former mistress Jane Seymour (1508 – 1537) Jane Seymour died from postnatal complications. She gave birth to a son, Edward VI. Henry’s fourth wife was Anne of Cleves. Henry found Anne of Cleves unattractive and called her “Flander Mare”. This marriage was annulled. King Henry’s fifth wife was Catherine Howard (1521-1525 birth date unknown 1542 death). Catherine Howard was much younger than Henry. Catherine was Anne Boleyn’s first cousin and lady-in-waiting. Having an affair with a young courtier, Thomas Culpeper she was sentenced to death by the King. Henry’s sixth wife wealth widow Catherine Parr in 1543. Henry died 1547 and Catherine Parr became a widow with her head in tact. Queen Victoria and Prince AlbertrnQueen Victoria (1819 – 1901) was queen of United Kingdom and Ireland from 1837 until her death. In 1840 she married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1819 – 1861). Prince Albert was Queen Victoria’s first cousin. They had 9 children and 42 grandchildren. Prince Albert advocated education reform the abolition of slavery. Prince Albert died at age 42. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had a beautiful relationship and long term love affair. Queen Victoria mourned the death of her dear Prince Albert for the rest of her life. Matchmaking has changed for the not only for Royals but people in general. 1 in 5 people met and wed from online dating. China has the largest online dating services in the world. In 2009 USA online dating traffic increased 13%. Australia saw a 10% increase in online dating in 2010. Baby Boomer or Senior Online dating has an increase of 140% in 2007. New York and New Jersey have passed similar laws requiring Online Dating Services to provide dating safety tips and stating if criminal background checks are required. Professional dating services have categories: single date, single parent dating, senior dating, Christian dating, Jewish dating, Interracial dating, Black dating, Asian dating, Latin dating and etc. There is a GOOD 20% chance you will find that special someone online.