APRIL 26 - The marriage of a Duke, the birth of an Emperor & the death of a Medici
- Christopher Jack
- May 10, 2019
- 2 min read
On this day in 1923 Prince Albert, Duke of York married the Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon at Westminster Abbey. The Duke of York was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary and second in line to the throne behind his brother Edward, Prince of Wales. Lady Elizabeth was the daughter of Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck. He has initially proposed to Lady Elizabeth in 1921 but she turned him down due to her fears of joining the royal family. She refused him again in February 1922 but finally agreed to marry him in January 1923. Lady Elizabeth began the tradition of royal brides lying their bouquets on the Tomb of The Unknown Warrior, though she laid hers on the tomb before her wedding whereas subsequent brides have laid their bouquets after the ceremony. The couple had 2 children, Princess Elizabeth, in 1926 and Princess Margaret in 1930. Upon the death of King George V, Prince Albert’s older brother ascended the throne but less than a year later abdicated to marry a divorced American socialite. With his brothers abdication, The Duke and Duchess of York ascended the throne as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Their marriage lasted 29 years until the death of King George IV in February 1952, when their eldest daughter ascended the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. Her mother Queen Elizabeth, then known as the Queen Mother, died in March 2002.
On this day in 121, Roman Emperor Marcus Annius Aurelius was born in Rome. He is often known as the Philosopher and was the last of the rulers traditionally known as the Five Good Emperors. He was the son of Marcus Annius Verus III and Domitia Lucilla. He was later adopted by Antoninus Pius under orders from Emperor Hadrian. Marcus was married to his cousin Faustina for 30 years and had at least 13 children. In 161, Marcus with his adopted brother Lucius, succeeded the throne. Marcus’ reign was marked by military conflict and he died on campaign of natural causes in March 180. He was succeeded by his son Commodus.
On this day in 1478, Giuliano de’ Medici of the ruling family of Florence died at only the age of 25.. Born in March of 1453, he was second son of Piero de’ Medici and Lucrezia Tornabuoni and brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Giuliano has been promised in marriage to Semiramide Appiani Aragona but had an illegitimate son by his mistress Fioretta Gorini. This son would go on to become Pope Clement VII. Giuliano would never see his son grow up because he was assassinated in the Duomo of Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore by Francesco de’ Pazzi and Bernardo Baroncelli. He was killed by a sword wound to the head and was stabbed 19 times. He was buried in his father’s tomb in the Church of San Lorenzo but later with his brother was re-interred in the Medici Chapel of the same church.
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