The cultural obsession with Harry and Meghan reached its peak when they left for Canada. This event, alongside their public interviews, book releases, and tearful Netflix specials, made me wonder about the most maligned women in history. I was fueled by anger, not sympathy, as I typed the words “most maligned women in history” into Google. It seemed like a publicity stunt orchestrated by Harvey Weinstein’s old publicists.
Unsurprisingly, Cleopatra topped the list. Roman writers portrayed her as a seductress who used her sexuality to control powerful men like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. They conveniently overlooked her intelligence and political acumen.
Further down the list, Catherine the Great, a powerful and skilled ruler who patronized the arts and education, was labeled a “temptress.” Her “crime”? She confessed, “My heart is loath to remain even one hour without love.” It seemed like her desire for love was used against her.
Even Anne Boleyn, a supporter of reformist ideology and a patron of scholars, was demonized. She was executed for adultery and incest, solidifying the narrative of her as a “temptress” who lured Henry VIII into defying the Catholic Church. This act had significant consequences, leading to the establishment of the Church of England, the Bonfire Night tradition, and even influencing the Swinging Sixties.
The “Temptress” Trope
The term “temptress,” coined by Thomas Nashe, paints women as manipulative and deceitful. Imagine if David Gandy or Daniel Craig were labeled “tempters” for their good looks; it wouldn’t make sense. This archaic word unfairly diminishes women.
The website where I found this list was geared towards GCSE students, perpetuating dusty, outdated historical narratives. If the list had been more focused on recent history, Wallis Simpson, the woman who was blamed for Edward VIII’s abdication, would have been at the top.
Simpson was labeled a “socialite” and accused of sabotaging the monarchy and the very fabric of Western civilization. This portrayal was fueled by her being twice divorced and the glamorous aura she exuded.
Reframing the Narrative: A Look at Wallis Simpson’s Legacy
Simpson’s style was as individual as her approach to royal etiquette. While Chanel was all about boyish tops and jackets, Simpson wore corsetry by American couturier Main Rousseau Bocher. She even collaborated with Salvador Dalí, who designed a lobster print for her Schiaparelli gown.
Simpson embraced fashion as a form of armor. Her style became more sophisticated as her fame grew. Her wedding dress, a nipped-at-the-waist Mainbocher creation that matched her blue eyes, is one of the most photographed and copied dresses in history.
Madonna, inspired by Simpson’s story, directed a film called “W.E.” about her life. Madonna empathized with Simpson’s experience of being judged and misrepresented by the public. While her film was criticized for its liberties with the truth, Anna Pasternak’s biography, “The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson,” offered a more thorough and balanced perspective.
Pasternak’s book is filled with direct accounts from people who knew Simpson. She argued that Edward loved Wallis because she was “lovable,” not because she was a cold, calculating dominatrix. Her research revealed Simpson’s kindliness, sense of humor, and depth of friendship.
The Queen, the “Rottweiler,” and the Shadows of the Past
Comparing Simpson to Queen Camilla is intriguing. Both faced public scrutiny and backlash, but Queen Camilla has found redemption and affection.
It is important to remember that Queen Camilla, referred to as the “Rottweiler” by Princess Diana, went into hiding after Diana’s death in 1997. The press relentlessly attacked her, using terms like “hag,” “gin-soaked,” and “horse-faced.”
However, the negative language used against Simpson was even harsher. While the Queen Mother referred to her as “that woman,” Tommy Lascelles, a powerful courtier, called her “shop-soiled” and said she had a “voice like a rusty saw.”
Beyond the “Convenient Tool”
The disparity between Simpson’s and Queen Camilla’s fates reflects the complexity of their situations. Charles became king, but Simpson died alone, exiled, and disgraced.
Pasternak argues that influential figures, including Tommy Lascelles, Stanley Baldwin, and Cosmo Lang, orchestrated a campaign against Simpson, using her as a scapegoat to remove Edward from the throne. They considered him weak and unfit to rule.
According to Simpson’s letters to Edward, she believed she was a “convenient tool” used by politicians to get rid of him.
Andrew Lownie’s book “Traitor King” further complicates the narrative. Lownie’s research revealed evidence of contact between Edward and German agents, leading to the question of whether Edward was actually a Nazi sympathizer.
While Pasternak argues there is no evidence of Simpson’s involvement in any Nazi conspiracies, the allegations highlight the intense scrutiny she faced and the smear campaign against her.
Finding Truth in History’s Shadows
The stories of Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, Anne Boleyn, Wallis Simpson, and Queen Camilla demonstrate how women throughout history have been subject to unfair judgments and vilification. They were labeled as “temptresses,” “harlots,” and “manipulators” simply for being women who dared to love, express their individuality, and challenge societal norms.
It is crucial to remember these women’s stories and recognize the insidiousness of the “temptress” trope. By challenging these archaic narratives, we can work towards a more equitable and just future for all women.
