The voices of England's queens survive through their writings. A queen had to provide an heir. An heir empowered a queen, the lack of one could destroy her. Eleanor of Aquitaine was Europe's most powerful woman during the reigns of her sons but Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon and beheaded Anne Boleyn for failing in their duty. Strong relationships developed. Richard II and Anne of Bohemia made an arranged marriage but fell in love. When Anne died Richard, in his grief, ordered Sheen palace to be destroyed. Edward VIII abandoned the throne in favour of his lover, Wallis Simpson. Conversely, Isabella of France and Catherine Howard took lovers to escape their marriages. Sophia Dorothea of Celle was imprisoned for her affair. But some broke away from such control. Queen Victoria spent her childhood with her overprotective mother but on being proclaimed queen she finally attained her freedom .
