Edward de Vere was a scandalous courtier rumored to be Queen Elizabeth's lover—or her illegitimate son.

Edward de Vere was a scandalous courtier rumored to be Queen Elizabeth's lover—or her illegitimate son.

Miles Rook

Some people believe that Edward de Vere was Queen Elizabeth I’s illegitimate son. Or her lover. Others speculate that he was the real author behind Shakespeare’s works. Well, if you can believe it, those rumors are actually the least interesting things about him. After all, who else has an entire Wikipedia section dedicated to “Quarrels, plots, and scandals?” No one did controversy and intrigue quite like Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford—and here’s the proof.


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