When I was very young I loved to read fairy tales. I think that is why I love I this next story so much, because over the years different versions of this tale have been told and retold. How much of it is truth and what is embellished remain to be seen.

Today we wrap up the most romantic couples through history with Prince Salim and Anarkali.

1. Prince Salim, son of Mughal Emperor Akbar, fell in love with the lovely slave girl Anarkali. Ashamed by their son's love for a common servant, Akbar and his wife Jodha forbid Salim to see her. Rather than obeying, Prince Salim organized an army and declared war on his father.

Akbar defeated his son and then demanded that Salim either surrender Anarkali or be executed. Prince Salim elected to die, however, Anarkali could not allow her love to be killed. She came out of hiding and gave her up life in exchange for one night with Prince Salim. After their one night together, Akbar had her buried alive in a brick tomb that still stands today.

Hmm...can two people on the path of love be stopped? As I said, there are variations of this story, but the tomb really does exist. It was once surrounded by a beautiful garden. Inside it is inscribed:
"I would give thanks unto my God unto the day of resurrection
Ah! could I behold the face of my beloved once more"

Just how much is fact or fable, you will have to decide for yourself...so did I cover your favorite romantic couple? If not, who are they and why?

To read more about this couple:
Prince Salim & Anarkali A Love Story
Anarkali

2. Czar Nicholas II & Alexandra Feodorovna— Nicholas, the future Czar of Russia, fell in love with the lovely German princess, Alix of Hesse (Alexandra Feodorovna). Against the wishes of both families—the Queen said she was proud of Alix for standing up to her. Something many people, including her own son did not do. Nicholas's father refused the prospect of marriage to Alix—at first. The couple, well-known for their public displays of affection were determined to be together. When the Bolsheviks took the Russian royal family captive, Alexandra and Nicholas were executed. They loved together, ruled together and then ultimately died together.

I have always been fascinated by their story. Their end is...so sad.

To read more about this couple, check out the following links:
Alexandra Feodorovna
Nicholas II of Russia

3. Because of an effective campaign strategy, Rachel Donelson Robards and Andrew Jackson come to us as the most romantic pair in presidential history. Although their marriage was slandered for political gain, their love endured, becoming legend for romance novels and even a Hollywood feature film.

Almost two years into their marriage, Andrew and Rachel Jackson, discovered she was still technically married to her first husband, Lewis Robards. No one knows why Robards waited so long to obtain a divorce, perhaps he wanted revenge on Rachel for offending his pride. But finally in 1793, the courts granted him a divorce when they found Rachel guilty of adultery and desertion.

Rachel and Andrew remarried for the record, but they were tormented for the rest of their lives over the complication at the start of their marriage. Andrew Jackson believes the malicious gossip spread by his political rivals contributed to his wife's death. Rachel died in 1828, one month after Andrew Jackson won the office of U.S. President. Mourning her death for the rest of his life, he never remarried.

To read more about this couple, check out the following links:
Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson A Love Story
Andrew Jackson Biography
Rachel Robards Biography

4. Lord Horatio Nelson & Lady Emma Hamilton — Emma was married to Sir William Hamilton, while Lord Nelson was married to Lady Fanny Nelson. Emma was so taken with Lord Nelson, she fainted against him when they first met. The two lived together with Emma's husband for several years in an audacious affair that captivated London(can you image?).
Evidence suggests that intimate relations between the two had begun and the outcome was the birth of Emma's daughter, Horatia, in January 1801. Nelson doted on their daughter from a distance, while Emma was left to cover-up the child's parentage and a second pregnancy.
After the Admiral's death during the battle of Trafalgar, an unsealed letter to Emma was found on his desk. It stressed his love for her and their daughter.
Hmm..are you noticing a pattern here? A lot of these couples are married to someone else when they finally meet their true love...

To read more about this couple, check out the following links:
Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton
Lady Hamilton
Lord Horatio Nelson

6. February 11, 1840 at St. James Royal Chapel the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was solemnized. They quickly settled into married life and were as happy as two people could be. When advisers urged the Queen to assert her authority as head of house and nation over every subject (including her husband) she would reply, "I have solemnly promised at the alter to obey my husband, and I would never consent to limit or refine away that obligation."

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert alike, accepted their duties. They had a deep respect and affection for each other. During their union, they had nine children. When Prince Albert died of typhoid fever in 1861, Queen Victoria was devastated. From that day forward, until her death in 1901, she wore black.

And I thought I wore a lot of black! Tomorrow a romance that ignited sensational headlines around the world and changed the British monarchy.

Posted by Jaycee Keef, 6:19 AM, Permalink   Comment (0)

Back to our romantic couple countdown. Next on the list:

7. Napoleon Bonaparte & Josephine de Beauharnais—when one thinks of historical love figures, Napoleon & Josephine are usually the first names that pop to mind. There are varying accounts of how these two met, but one thing is for sure, Napoleon was instantly smitten. Josephine wasn’t so certain. Historical documents prove, Napoleon had quite a way with words and while away on military campaign he sent Josephine passionate love letters. Still it took him years to woo her. But woo her he finally did. They were crowned Emperor & Empress of France. But theirs, too, was a stormy relationship, full of drama and infidelity. When Josephine could not produce an heir Napoleon left her for another woman—but he never got over her. He carried violets from her garden in his locket until the day he died.

And now I'm off to work on my synopsis. If anyone has any suggestions on how to improve this awful step in the writing processing, I'm all ears...my synopsis sucks!