King William II, son of William the Conqueror, who took the throne in 1087, was often called effeminate and was known to have a fondness for fashionable young men.
Edward II, possibly the most well-known of the homosexual kings, became King in 1307. He spent a lot of his time with handsome men at court and showed little interest in women. His closest friend was a gentleman called Piers Gaveston, who was seen to have too much influence over Edward. The barons forced the King to exile Gaveston, but he soon returned to England, was captured, and murdered in 1312. Edward was heartbroken and was never the same again. His latter reign was unpopular, and he was imprisoned. While incarcerated, he died. Some believe from depression, others from foul play.
Richard I is often believed to have been gay. Known as Richard the Lionheart of Robin Hood fame, he spent time in the crusades, leaving his brother John to rule as regent in his absence. He was notoriously fond of France’s King Philip, and witnesses claimed that they would eat from the same plate and sleep in the same bed.
Richard II, son of Edward III, was also accused of having a homosexual relationship. His lover was thought to be the Earl of Oxford.
James I, nephew of Elizabeth I and son of Mary, Queen of Scots, is, of course, famous for the King James Bible named for him since he had the Bible commissioned to unify the nation, still split between Catholic and protestant loyalties. He married a Danish princess and they had children, but he was also known for his relationships with male favorites at court. One courtier commented, “I never yet saw any fond husband make so much or so great dalliance over his beautiful spouse as I have seen King James over his favorites, especially the Duke of Buckingham.” “Queen James,” as he is sometimes called in our community, was, of course, the Church of England’s “Defender of the Faith”, the official title of British sovereigns who serve as the titular head of the Church.
William III, better known as William of Orange, who reigned with his wife Mary as the only co-monarchs in British history, was rumored to be gay, but historians believe that that may have been a scurrilous rumor initiated by political enemies. However, His sister-in-law (Mary’s sister), Anne (who became Queen after William and Mary), is believed to have been lesbian or bisexual.
Anne came to the throne in 1702. She was married to George, the Prince of Denmark. None of their children survived (she experienced 17 pregnancies). The widowed, childless Queer developed a close relationship with Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. Eventually, they had a rift, and Anne transferred her affection and attention to Sarah’s cousin, Abigail Masham.
