By turns tragic, misunderstood, power-hungry, and traumatized, King Richard II was one of the most notorious monarchs to sit on the English throne. Shakespeare may have immortalized Richard's villainous reign, but his true story is both darker and much more complicated than all that. Dust off that hollow crown and read these facts about Richard II.
Some consider the miniseries Band of Brothers to be the best WWII depiction on TV, if not the best TV series period. There’s a good reason for this, as just like the book of the same name, the story comes from the true experiences of E Company—also known as “Easy” Company. As the story depicts, this paratrooper unit overcame the most grueling and insurmountable challenges, significantly impacting the tide of WWII and saving many lives.
Though the Romanovs held power for over 300 years, their dynasty ended in a single generation, with the last tsar, Nicholas II. Deeply devoted to family and tradition, the last Tsar’s misguided and short-sighted decisions not only ended the Russian monarchy—it doomed the entire family to a horrifying end.
One of the most famous lawmen in American history, the story of Wyatt Earp has endured for over a century. He’s inspired movies, songs, and countless touristy reenactments—but who was the man behind the myth? Was he really as great as the stories make him seem? We've all heard about his legendary deeds, but there was a chilling darkness to this heroic figure. Dive into the violent history of Wyatt Earp, Tombstone's infamous marshal.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, a prominent member of the Hapsburg dynasty, was heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne before his life was cut short, the catalyst for a chain of events that threw the entire continent into chaos. But even before he altered the course of history, the Archduke’s life had already been more than dramatic enough to make the history books.
Born to the French monarchy, destiny seemed set for the life of Catherine of Valois. Seeing the unfortunate fate of her elder sister, Catherine likely feared what her own fate might be. However, rather than bow down to that pressure, Catherine forged her own path—only to find herself forgotten and disrespected in the end.
We all think we know the Spartans—bare-chested warriors shouting “This is Sparta!” and charging into battle without fear. But how much of that is Hollywood, and how much is history? Behind the legend lies the startling truth—a real society more brutal, bizarre, and complex than most people realize. Let’s pull back the curtain on the true lives of ancient Sparta’s most feared fighters.
Where do you even begin with Henry II of France? From his years as a captive in Spain, to his unlikely rise to the throne, to his sudden and violent end, there was never a dull moment for this infamous ruler. The fact that he was part of one of history's most twisted love triangles didn't hurt matters either! It's high time for Hollywood to make a movie about this truly debaucherous king, but for now, dive into these scandalous facts about Henry II of France.
Famous for her iconic hair styles, lavish soirées, and political activism, Georgiana Cavendish was the toast of the town. But as the high society beauty struggled with her cruel husband, illicit affairs, and gambling addiction, her popularity plummeted. Banished, mistreated, and heartbroken, Georgiana would learn that money and parties can’t buy happiness. Like her tragic descendant Princess Diana, the Duchess of Devonshire led both a charmed and a cursed life.
Cleopatra has become widely known in popular culture as a royal Egyptian seductress, infamous for enticing powerful men to do her political bidding. But a closer look at her life reveals that this impression may be a misogynistic misrepresentation, and that in reality, she was far more cunning and capable in her own right.
He dreamed of the White House—but left behind a curse instead. Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was the powerful patriarch of America’s most iconic political dynasty, with presidential ambitions of his own. But behind the polished image lurked shady business deals, dangerous political sympathies, and scandalous affairs. In the end, his legacy wasn’t a presidency...it was a chilling trail of tragedy that would haunt the Kennedy name for generations.
A little-known empress from the early to mid-17th century was the Infanta Maria Anna of Spain. Not only was she married to an important leader of the Holy Roman Empire, but she was also a member of the infamous Habsburgs—one of history's most powerful, but twisted, dynasties.
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