Henry VIII and His Wives? Twitter Chooses the Worst Marriage in History
The best responses to this month's "Big Question"
In our April issue, we asked an eclectic panel of experts and public figures to pick the worst marriage in history. Their answers varied from historic alliances (the Nazi Party and the Catholic Church) and contemporary ones (the European Union), to Hollywood couples (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) and tabloid socialites (Jocelyn Wildenstein and her husband, Alec).
We posed the question to Twitter, too. This is a small collection of the best answers we saw.
What was the worst marriage in history? Tell us your answer with the hashtag #BigQuestion theatln.tc/ZJBm4G
-- The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) March 21, 2013
The most common answer, by far, mentioned Henry VIII's infamous love life.
.@theatlantic Henry VIII and four out of six wives.
-- Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) March 21, 2013
@theatlantic No contest: King Henry the Eighth/ to 6 wives he was wedded/ 1 died/ 1 survived / 2 divorced / 2 beheaded. #BigQuestion
-- Heather Michon (@heathermichon) March 21, 2013
@theatlantic Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn. Ended with her losing her head, literally #BigQuestion
-- Siobhan R (@bluevespertine) March 21, 2013
Those suggestions were Tudor-approved, naturally.
ABSOLUTELY!"@kvetchingyenta: @theatlantic I think @knghnryviii will be really upset if he doesn't win this one. #bigquestion"
-- Henry Tudor (@KngHnryVIII) March 21, 2013
Although, as any history scholar will tell you, he wasn't the only monarch who should vie for the "Worst Marriage Ever" title.
@theatlantic #BigQuestion Peter III of Russia & Catherine the Great. Catherine overthrew her husband in 1762. He was murdered soon afterward
-- Carolyn Harris (@royalhistorian) March 21, 2013
@theatlantic Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine - he had her imprisoned for 16 yrs. #BigQuestion
-- Colette Dery (@Mexiwelsh) March 21, 2013
@theatlantic Marc Antony and Cleopatra didn't work out so great #BigQuestion
-- Jonathan Karp (@mrjonathankarp) March 21, 2013
Others shot a glance toward American politics.
Koch and the Tea Party. RT @theatlantic What was the worst marriage in history? #BigQuestion
-- Jeff Wilser (@jeffwilser) March 21, 2013
Some mentioned notorious tabloid fodder.
Worst marriage in history? Things did not end well for John and Lorena Bobbitt theatlantic.com/magazine/archi... #bigquestion @kpccelaine
-- Ashley Alvarado (@AshleyAlvarado) March 21, 2013
And, of course, we can't forget the occasional ill-fated corporate union.
Time Warner and AOL RT @jeffwilser: Koch and the Tea Party. RT @theatlantic What was the worst marriage in history? #BigQuestion
-- Marcio Guilherme (@marcioguilherme) March 21, 2013
Submit your own answer or suggest a question by emailing [email protected].
