Mischef_Managed

How many monarchs/nobles got married simply for the reason of actually loving each other? Did any? Or was marriage just an excuse to consolidate power?

SPERRO

I think most royals/nobles were married for political reasons, and these marriages were arranged by party's within both familys. Edward IV of England, married a commoner, much to the disapproval of his court.

gaius valerius

Love didn't play that much of a role at most levels of society, not just that of the kings and peers. Our current day modern freedom in that regard is somewhat of a historical novelty in these lands. People of course could come to 'love' each other, or at least respect each other or even form a deep bond (even if not love). Both men and women were very much aware of their position in society and the responsibilities and duties that came with it.

He did not marry a commoner, but a low ranking noble (you're talking about the Woodvilles right?), a widow at that no less. But not a peasant girl. What men like Warwick despised was that she was of to low a ranking, a mere provincial upstart and even worse, she wasn't foreign royalty which would have given them some diplomatic gunpowder. Note that France, England and Burgundy were still at each others throats.

Chookie

Virtually none. Marriage, for monarchs and nobles at the time was a matter of making and reinforcing alliances. In others words it was business. I don't doubt that eventually most couples came to care for each other, but marrying purely for love? Very uncommon.

Crystal Rainbow

She was considered a commoner, by nobles. Those Woodvilles had managed to gain a lot of power from the crown. No wonder there was a lot disapproval from Edward's court. When Edward had died they were pulling all sorts of tricks to use Edward's son Edward V as a tool to rule the country. The Queen did not mourn for her king as she had other things on her mind. So Edward had not chosen wisely. There is Richard his brother that had married Anne Neville and that was a love match that Richard had loved dearly. bit of a sad love story

Star

Mistresses and brothels played an important part here. Heads of state were lucky and probably quite hopeful to gain a wife that was lovely and sweet (lovable), but it was far from a priority. Intelligence of the lady, and the politics of her father were key. Non-compatibility and duty probably stunted any true love from growing between most. Of course many were known (or eulogized for propaganda purposes).

One example of "love in a marriage of state":

In mid 15th c. Milan, the union of Bianca Maria Visconti (noble blood, strength of mind and honor, and loved her husband deeply) and condottiero Francesco Sforza (wealthy minor nobleman, famous warrior, excellent statesman) seemed quite glorious and loving. Both repected and cared deeply for one another and raised their many fine children with a humanist education and to rule and become great lords and cardinals etc etc. They did their duty and were archetypes of royal conjugal bliss.

The lenient and forgiving Bianca caused the death of (some say strangled with her own hands) one of Francesco's many mistresses anyway. In this case, though it is true she was well-loved by Francesco, but not at all in the modern sense, even though he admired her and considered her the best of women. These types of affections (it seems to me) were all a sovereign's wife could expect, if even that at all.

Black Dog

Chookie is spot on. Marriage was too important a tool to leave it to love. And since kings and queens often didn't see much of each other, it probably didn't matter much.

DreamWeaver

Married for love, very very unlikely.

Yet it does seem possible that while love may not have been a factor in contracting the marriage, that love, genuine affection, or something close to it may have come to exist. Iy could grow in the relationship. Edward I and Eleanor of Castile come to mind.

Crystal Rainbow

The most of royal marriages were seen as the Queen had little say in the matter and just had to bear the king an heir. Like the early Tudors were well know for their obsession to churn out more Tudors.

DreamWeaver

Another problem being that it is hard to know what influence Queens had upon their husbands. While some examples are relatively clear and stand out for one reason or another, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Blanche of Castille, Melisende of Jerusalem for example. What occurred in more informal and private settings, things that may have gone unrecorded are anybodies guess.