Trysting isn’t a modern phenomenon. People have been doing it for centuries. We’ve compiled a list of famous historical trysts – some recent, some ancient – that have stood the test of time and have become inspiration to us all.
Mark Antony and Cleopatra: The queen of Egypt, Cleopatra was the mistress of Julius Caesar, king of Rome, until his assassination in 44 B.C.E. After his untimely death, she hooked her chariot to Antony, who was married to Gaius Octavian’s (Caesar’s grandnephew) sister. Octiavian declared war on the two lovers, and while in battle, Antony received a false report that Cleopatra had committed suicide. Overcome with grief, he stabbed himself in the abdomen with a sword into and died. When she was taken prisoner, Cleopatra smuggled a poisonous snake into her cell, and it delivered a fatal strike to her breast. She was buried next to Antony, so they could lie together for an eternity.
Henry Miller and Anais Nin: The two writers met in Paris in the 1930, while both were married to different people. The tryst lasted years and became the subject of Nin’s famous journals, as well as a movie, Henry and June. Her diaries, which filled a multitude of volumes, document social engagements, their love affair and a love affair with Miller’s wife, June. The passionate love affair turned into a friendship as they grew older, and both remarried (Nin was actually married to two men at the same time!).
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles: Things started off innocently enough for the two young lovers, who started dating in 1970. Camilla reportedly made the first move by saying “My great-grandmother was your great-great-grandfather’s mistress, so how about it?” The pair broke up and married others, but the flame was still strong between the pair. Their affair was finally discovered after phone conversations went public (you know, the famous “tampon” comment), and they kept their relationship under wraps until around 1999. They finally tied the knot in 2005, ending a tryst fit for a king.
Henry VII and Anne Boleyn: The randy king of England had a wandering eye – not so uncommon within the monarchy, but it is when you want to divorce the queen to marry your mistress. Distraught that his own wife, Queen Catherine, couldn’t produce a male heir, Henry became fixated on getting a divorce and marrying a much-younger, child-bearing woman. Henry finally got an annulment from his first marriage and married Anne – however, when she failed to produce a son for him, he had her executed for adultery and incest. He went on to marry four more times, and in the end, his only son died young.
Napoleon and Josephine: Napoleon Bonaparte was captivated the moment he saw Josephine, a charming and beautiful Paris socialite – but wasn’t immediately successful. He was short, unkempt and rather homely looking – not really her type. Josephine eventually had a change of heart, and the two were married in 1796. Shortly after their wedding, Napoleon embarked on a series of military campaigns, while Josephine embarked on her own series of adulterous affairs. Later, he became focused on having a son to carry on his royal lineage. But he eventually came to the conclusion that Josephine was unable to conceive, and the couple divorced in 1809.
In Tryst We Trust