Edward II, King of England from 1307 to 1327. Celebrate by re-reading Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, online here, which not only shows Edward’s romances with Piers Gaveston and “Spencer” [Hugh Despenser] but places them in the continuum of historic same-sex couples.
And, seeing his mind so dotes on Gaveston,
Let him without controlment have his will.
The mightiest kings have had their minions:
Great Alexander loved Hephestion;
The conquering Hercules for Hylas wept;
And for Patroclus stern Achilles drooped
And not kings only, but the wisest men:
The Roman Tully loved Octavius;
Grave Socrates, wild Alcibiades.
Then let his grace, whose youth is flexible,
And promiseth as much as we can wish,
Freely enjoy that vain, light-headed earl;
For riper years will wean him from such toys. (Act I, Sc. IV)
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