GREAT BRITISH RIVALRIES
Our nation might have a reputation for politeness, being buttoned up and even slightly bumbling – yet some of the most famous Britons of all time have been embroiled in bitter and even deadly rivalries.
The monarchy, for instance, has always been a hotbed of feuds. The Tudor kings and queens in particular absolutely loved a spat and were ruthless in how they dispatched their opponents: imprisonment and beheadings were the order of the day. Yet no matter at what stage in history we find ourselves, conflict seems to be part of the job description for a working royal – from sibling rivalries and love triangles to seeing off pretenders to the throne. Political life in Britain is also largely about conflict, although some parliamentary skirmishes have been more potent than others.
Disputes are part of life, no matter what your class, wealth or education – from blue bloods to sporting heroes or literary heavyweights. Here, we detail some of the most notable rivalries Britain has ever seen.
Henry VIII vs the Catholic Church
King Henry VIII is the most obvious serial wrangler, getting into spats with every single one of his six wives. If a novelist suggested Henry’s life as the plot for a work of fiction, the editor would reject it for being too far-fetched. The great Tudor king was like flypaper