Victoria: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:09, 17 May 2020

Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901), born Alexandrina Victoria of Kent, was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837, and Empress of India from 1876, until her death.

Victoria's reign of the United Kingdom was longest of any of British monarch, or any female monarch in history. Her reign, dubbed as the "Victorian era" was marked by its massive expansion of the British Empire and the Industrial Revolution. During her reign she survived seven attempted assassinations. She was also the only monarch to rule all five continents.^[1]

Biography

Early life and reign

Alexandrina Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in London to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and German-born Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Due to her father and grandfather's death, Alexandrina was raised by her mother, a childhood she later described as "rather melancholy".^[2]

She inherited the throne at age 18 and married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840, becoming Queen Victoria. Contrary to tradition, Victoria proposed to Albert as she was the Queen.^[1] Their nine children later married into royal and noble families in Europe, earning her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe".^[2]

After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and vanished from the public eye. Her popularity recovered, however, in the later years of her reign.^[2] On 23 and 25 April 1865, Victoria received letters from her uncle, Leopold I of Belgium, to which the Queen felt emotionally moved by. In her reply, sent 27 April, she discussed the betrothal of her daughter to Prince Christian of Augustenberg.^[3] Two days later, she sent a letter of condolences to Mary Lincoln regarding her husband's assassination.^[4] She received a reply from Mrs. Lincoln on 21 May expressing her gratitude for the Queen's condolences.^[5] On 13 June, Victoria sent a letter to her eldest son, Edward VII, regarding names for his unborn son (and her grandson).^[6]

On 22 January 1866, Queen Victoria sent a letter to Earl Russell concerning the reopening of parliament. Denying the Earl's request, Victoria expressed her need to continue mourning.^[7] On 6 February, Victoria attended the State Opening of Parliament for the first time since Albert's death.^[8] On 16 October, Victoria discussed with Edward VII on his visit to Saint Petersburg. The Queen stated in her letter her disdain for the country but understood and respected Edward's decision to be present for the marriage of Princess Elisabeth.^[9]

On 22 May 1867, Victoria announced her plan to award her son Edward VII, the Order of the Thistle, Prince Arthur the Order of the Garter, Prince Victor the Office of Constable of the Round Tower, and Prince Christian the honor of being Ranger of Windsor Park.^[10] On 26 June, Lord Charles FitzRoy was invited for lunch on the Queen's behalf.^[11] On 14 October, Victoria met with General Charles Grey discussing a possible attack by Fenians. As a precaution, the 93rd Highlanders regiment was placed at Abergeldie.^[12] On 16 December, Victoria denied a request from Lord Stanley to observe and advise parliament.^[13] On 19 December, after the Queen had moved to a more vulnerable Osborne on the Isle of Wight for the Christmas season, she received a most alarming message from General Grey concerning rumors of an assassination plot against her.^[14]

Aiding the Assassins

In 1868, while hosting a ball at Buckingham Palace, Victoria had the pleasure of meeting Evie Frye, who was introduced by Mary Anne Disraeli. Victoria remarked that the young Frye was behind the theft of William Gladstone's carriage, but made no effort to have her arrested since she, like the Disraelis, heartily disliked Gladstone. Instead, much to the Assassin's relief, she merely told the young woman to enjoy the ball, especially the cake which was apparently very good.^[15]

The next day, Victoria met with Evie, her brother Jacob and Henry Green, having been told by Sergeant Frederick Abberline of how they thwarted a plot against her life by Crawford Starrick. In recognition of their deeds, she knighted the trio into the Order of the Sacred Garter. Before departing their company, Victoria reminded Evie that she saved some cake for her.^[15]

At some point, a royal guard turned up murdered in Victoria's study, in which the Frye twins were called in. Victoria personally inspected her safe, which contained the Scepter of the Dove, which she planned on using to knight several industrialists opposing child labor later in the day. One of the Fryes then left the palace to chase down another lead and later returned to warn the Queen that a bomb was in the palace. However, the bomb turned out to be a hoax and the dead guard was in fact an impostor named Henry Raymond, who merely used spider venom to put himself in a death-like state so he could observe the Queen's combination to the safe so he could steal the Scepter. Though Raymond held young Artie hostage, the Frye twins were able to kill him, saving Artie and thwarting the caper.^[16]

Victoria later summoned the Frye twins to request their aid in thwarting a faction of Templars attempting to regain their power in London through acts of terrorism. Once the plot was thwarted, including an attempt to bomb Parliament, Victoria offered the Fryes her gratitude and expressed her hope that they will continue to assist her in strengthening the British Empire. However, the twin Assassins politely state that their Creed forbids them from assisting in the expansion of the Empire. Evie suggested that the Queen put an end to her imperialist beliefs. Victoria understood and respected their position. She provides them with rewards for their deeds before bidding them farewell.^[17]^[18]^[19]^[20]

Later life and death

In the last fourteen years of her life, Queen Victoria befriended her Indian servant Abdul Karim.^[21] She eventually died on 22 January 1901, with Abdul by her side. Upon her death, her eldest son and successor Edward VII ordered Abdul return to India and all correspondence between him and the Queen be burned.^[22]

Personality and traits

Queen Victoria was hemophiliac, as were her family; hence, she named the disease the "Royal Malady". She also stood at exactly 5 feet tall.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Queen Victoria was the longest reigning British monarch until 2015, where she was surpassed by her great-great granddaughter Elizabeth II.

Gallery

A portrait of Queen Victoria

Appearances

Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (first appearance)
Assassin's Creed: Underworld

References

[search-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 XIXth Century Search Engine – 6 things you were dying to know about Queen Victoria

[Database-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Database: Queen Victoria

[3] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "April 27, 1865"

[4] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "April 29, 1865"

[5] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "May 21, 1865"

[6] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "June 13, 1865"

[7] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "January 22, 1866"

[8] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "February 6, 1866"

[9] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "October 16, 1866"

[10] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "May 22, 1867"

[11] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "June 26, 1867"

[12] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "October 14, 1867"

[13] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "December 16, 1867"

[14] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Royal correspondence: "December 19, 1867"

[A_Night_to_Remember-15] 15.0 ^15.1 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – A Night to Remember

[16] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Murder at the Palace!

[17] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Operation: Dynamite Boat

[18] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Operation: Locomotive

[19] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Operation: Drive for Lives

[20] Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Operation: Westminster

[21] XIXth Century Search Engine – The End of Human Zoos in Sight?

[22] Abdul Karim (the Munshi) on Wikipedia

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 '''Queen Victoria''' (1819 – 1901), born '''Alexandrina Victoria of Kent''', was the Queen of the [[United Kingdom|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]] from 1837, and Empress of [[India]] from 1876, until her death.
-Victoria's reign of the United Kingdom was longest of any of British monarch, or any female monarch in history. Her reign, dubbed as the "[[Victorian era]]" was marked by its massive expansion of the [[British Empire]] and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. During her reign she survived seven attempted assassinations.<ref name="search"/>
+Victoria's reign of the United Kingdom was longest of any of British monarch, or any female monarch in history. Her reign, dubbed as the "[[Victorian era]]" was marked by its massive expansion of the [[British Empire]] and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. During her reign she survived seven attempted assassinations. She was also the only monarch to rule all five continents.<ref name="search"/>
 ==Biography==
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 Alexandrina Victoria was born in {{Wiki|Kensington Palace}} in [[London]] to {{Wiki|Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn}} and [[Germany|German]]-born {{Wiki|Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld}}. Due to her father and [[George III of the United Kingdom|grandfather]]'s death, Alexandrina was raised by her mother, a childhood she later described as "rather melancholy".<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Database: Queen Victoria]]</ref>
-She inherited the throne at age 18 and married her first cousin, Prince [[Albert, Prince Consort|Albert]] of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840, becoming Queen Victoria. Their nine children later married into royal and noble families in Europe, earning her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe".<ref name="Database" />
+She inherited the throne at age 18 and married her first cousin, Prince [[Albert, Prince Consort|Albert]] of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840, becoming Queen Victoria. Contrary to tradition, Victoria proposed to Albert as she was the Queen.<ref name="search"/> Their nine children later married into royal and noble families in Europe, earning her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe".<ref name="Database" />
 After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and vanished from the public eye. Her popularity recovered, however, in the later years of her reign.<ref name="Database" /> On 23 and 25 April 1865, Victoria received letters from her uncle, {{Wiki|Leopold I of Belgium}}, to which the Queen felt emotionally moved by. In her reply, sent 27 April, she discussed the betrothal of her {{Wiki|Princess Helena of the United Kingdom|daughter}} to Prince {{Wiki|Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein|Christian of Augustenberg}}.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence|Royal correspondence: "April 27, 1865"]]</ref> Two days later, she sent a letter of condolences to {{Wiki|Mary Todd Lincoln|Mary Lincoln}} regarding her [[Abraham Lincoln|husband]]'s {{Wiki|Assassination of Abraham Lincoln|assassination}}.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#April 29, 1865|Royal correspondence: "April 29, 1865"]]</ref> She received a reply from Mrs. Lincoln on 21 May expressing her gratitude for the Queen's condolences.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#May 21, 1865|Royal correspondence: "May 21, 1865"]]</ref> On 13 June, Victoria sent a letter to her eldest son, {{Wiki|Edward VII}}, regarding names for his unborn {{Wiki|George V|son}} (and her grandson).<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#June 13, 1865|Royal correspondence: "June 13, 1865"]]</ref>
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 On 22 January 1866, Queen Victoria sent a letter to {{Wiki|John Russell, 1st Earl Russell|Earl Russell}} concerning the reopening of parliament. Denying the Earl's request, Victoria expressed her need to continue mourning.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#January 22, 1866|Royal correspondence: "January 22, 1866"]]</ref> On 6 February, Victoria attended the {{Wiki|State Opening of Parliament}} for the first time since Albert's death.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#February 6, 1866|Royal correspondence: "February 6, 1866"]]</ref> On 16 October, Victoria discussed with Edward VII on his visit to [[Saint Petersburg]]. The Queen stated in her letter her disdain for the [[Russia|country]] but understood and respected Edward's decision to be present for the marriage of Princess {{Wiki|Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine (1864–1918)|Elisabeth}}.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#October 16, 1866|Royal correspondence: "October 16, 1866"]]</ref>
 On 22 May 1867, Victoria announced her plan to award her son Edward VII, the {{Wiki|Order of the Thistle}}, Prince {{Wiki|Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn|Arthur}} the {{Wiki|Order of the Garter}}, Prince {{Wiki|Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg|Victor}} the {{Wiki|Constables and Governors of Windsor Castle|Office of Constable of the Round Tower}}, and Prince Christian the honor of being Ranger of Windsor Park.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#May 22, 1867|Royal correspondence: "May 22, 1867"]]</ref> On 26 June, Lord {{Wiki|Charles FitzRoy, 3rd Baron Southampton|Charles FitzRoy}} was invited for lunch on the Queen's behalf.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#June 26, 1867|Royal correspondence: "June 26, 1867"]]</ref> On 14 October, Victoria met with General {{Wiki|Charles Grey (British Army officer)|Charles Grey}} discussing a possible attack by {{Wiki|Fenian}}s. As a precaution, the {{Wiki|93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot|93rd Highlanders regiment}} was placed at Abergeldie.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#October 14, 1867|Royal correspondence: "October 14, 1867"]]</ref> On 16 December, Victoria denied a request from {{Wiki|Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby|Lord Stanley}} to observe and advise parliament.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#December 16, 1867|Royal correspondence: "December 16, 1867"]]</ref> On 19 December, after the Queen had moved to a more vulnerable Osborne on the Isle of Wight for the Christmas season, she received a most alarming message from General Grey concerning rumors of an assassination plot against her.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Royal correspondence#December 19, 1867|Royal correspondence: "December 19, 1867"]]</ref>
 ===Aiding the Assassins===
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 Victoria later summoned the Frye twins to request their aid in thwarting a faction of [[Templars]] attempting to regain their power in London through acts of terrorism. Once the plot was thwarted, including an attempt to bomb Parliament, Victoria offered the Fryes her gratitude and expressed her hope that they will continue to assist her in strengthening the British Empire. However, the twin [[Assassins]] politely state that their [[The Creed|Creed]] forbids them from assisting in the expansion of the Empire. Evie suggested that the Queen put an end to her imperialist beliefs. Victoria understood and respected their position. She provides them with rewards for their deeds before bidding them farewell.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' - [[Operation: Dynamite Boat]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' - [[Operation: Locomotive]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' - [[Operation: Drive for Lives]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' - [[Operation: Westminster]]</ref>
+===Later life and death===
+[[File:Search Engine - Human Zoo 2.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Queen Victoria with Abdul Karim, c. 1893]]
+In the last fourteen years of her life, Queen Victoria befriended her Indian servant {{Wiki|Abdul Karim (the Munshi)|Abdul Karim}}.<ref>[[XIXth Century Search Engine]] – [[XIXth Century Search Engine#The End of Human Zoos in Sight?|The End of Human Zoos in Sight?]]</ref> She eventually died on 22 January 1901, with Abdul by her side. Upon her death, her eldest son and successor Edward VII ordered Abdul return to India and all correspondence between him and the Queen be burned.<ref>{{WP|Abdul Karim (the Munshi)}}</ref>
+{{-}}
 ==Personality and traits==
-Queen Victoria was hemophiliac, as were her family; hence, she named the disease the "Royal Malady".<ref name="search">[[XIXth Century Search Engine]] – [[XIXth Century Search Engine#6 things you were dying to know about Queen Victoria|6 things you were dying to know about Queen Victoria]]</ref>
+Queen Victoria was hemophiliac, as were her family; hence, she named the disease the "Royal Malady". She also stood at exactly 5 feet tall.<ref name="search">[[XIXth Century Search Engine]] – [[XIXth Century Search Engine#6 things you were dying to know about Queen Victoria|6 things you were dying to know about Queen Victoria]]</ref>
 ==Behind the scenes==
@@ Line 46: / Line 51: @@
 <gallery captionalign="center" position="center" spacing="small" widths="180">
 ACS DB Illustrations 21.jpg|A portrait of Queen Victoria
-Search Engine - Human Zoo 2.jpg|Queen Victoria with Abdul Karim
 </gallery>