The Curious Case of Sir Walter Raleigh's Wife: A Tale of Forbidden Love, Beheadings, and Possibly a Talking Skull (But Probably Not)
Sir Walter Raleigh, the explorer, courtier, and all-around Elizabethan Renaissance Man, might be best known for his doomed attempts to colonize Virginia (spoiler alert: it didn't go swimmingly) and his equally doomed attempt to puff on a pipe indoors (seriously, fire code violations were a real drag back then). But what about the woman behind the man? Today, we delve into the fascinating, and sometimes bizarre, life of Lady Bess Raleigh (n�e Throckmorton).
Love in the Time of Virgin Queens (But Not That Kind of Virgin)
Bess, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, caught the eye of the dashing Sir Walter. Now, Queen Elizabeth wasn't exactly a fan of her ladies getting hitched without her royal approval. So, what did these two lovebirds do? They eloped, of course! Bold move considering Elizabeth I wasn't known for her chill vibes.
Royally Rattled: Tower Time and a Dead Baby (Yikes!)
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Predictably, Elizabeth I was not amused. She threw both Bess and Walter in the Tower of London (think Elizabethan jail with much less complimentary cable packages). Things got even worse when their first child tragically died. Yikes.
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| What Happened To Sir Walter Raleigh's Wife |
Freedom! But Wait, There's More!
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Eventually, Elizabeth I softened a bit and released them both. But there was a catch (because there always is, right?): Walter was banished from court for several years. Bess, however, managed to win back the Queen's favor and return to her duties.
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Head Over Heels (Literally)
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Fast forward a few years, and Sir Walter gets caught up in some political plotting (again, not the best career move). This time, the punishment wasn't a timeout; it was a one-way ticket to meet the headsman's axe. Here's the weird part: After the execution, Bess was given her husband's embalmed head! Apparently, that was a thing back then.
So, What Did Bess Do with a Talking Skull (Probably Nothing)?
Legend has it that Bess kept her husband's head in a red velvet bag and even talked to it. While that makes for a good story, historians are skeptical. More likely, she cherished the head as a memento of her lost love.
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Bess: The Queen of Moving On (Eventually)
Despite the head situation (which, again, was probably silent), Bess eventually moved on and remarried. She even outlived her famous (and slightly headless) husband by a good 29 years!
FAQs: Bess Raleigh Edition
- How to Get Away with a Secret Marriage to a Royal Courtier? Don't try this at home, folks. Seriously, Elizabeth I was not chill.
- How to Survive a Stay in the Tower of London? Apparently, having a baby doesn't help. Pack light and hope for a quick release.
- How to Deal with Your Husband's Beheading? Grief counseling wasn't a thing back then, so this one's a mystery. Maybe a red velvet bag helps? (We still don't recommend it.)
- How to Move On After Your Husband Gets Executed? Apparently, remarriage was an option in Elizabethan England.
- How to Get Your Husband's Head Back After an Execution? Apparently, just ask nicely. But be prepared for some raised eyebrows.
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