Fun fact: Æthelred's nickname has nothing to do with him being not ready, it's a pun on his name, which means "well-advised" So Æthelred the Unready literally means "Well-advised the Poorly-advised". Lol.

@Oodelally

2 жыл бұрын

His son Edmund Ironside would have certainly been much better! He challenged Cnut to a one-on-one duel in Glastonbury, but died weeks later after suspicious circumstances.

@robertlevine2827

2 жыл бұрын

Michal Ireneusz Jakubowski Right you are! The Anglo-Saxon nickname is "unred," "red" being a cognate of the German "rat," meaning council.

@warlordofbritannia

2 жыл бұрын

@@Oodelally I mean, it was probably of wounds suffered in battle

@Oodelally

2 жыл бұрын

@@warlordofbritannia I have heard that he was apparently assassinated on the toilet by a Viking, which seems both plausible and rather comedic.

@mr.adamsworld5598

2 жыл бұрын

@@Oodelally and if true was killed with arrows

I like that you included the Anglo-Saxon monarchs too, not just the Normans.

@HerculesMays

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. A lot of sources/videos will just ignore the Anglo-Saxon kings as if they never even existed, and William just made England himself.

@Marylandbrony

2 жыл бұрын

And I say England lacked the unity necessary at the time where the Anglo-Saxon kings would be considered a king of England. Sure some did held off the Vikings and prevented England from being a Nordic country, but that wasn’t England yet.

@hersirivarr1236

2 жыл бұрын

@@Marylandbrony There were several Anglo Saxon kings of a united kingdom of England. Athelred the unready, Athelstan, Edward the Confessor and Harold Godwinson are some examples. All of these men ruled the kingdom of England itself.

@turmuthoer

2 жыл бұрын

​@@Marylandbrony Are you serious? Anglo-Saxon England was arguably the most centralised and administratively efficient state in Christian Europe outside of the Byzantine Empire. So effective was the Anglo-Saxon administrative system that it was one of the few things the Normans didn't completely do away with.

@blugaledoh2669

2 жыл бұрын

@@browsingfloor62 not true. Edward the confessor for example was well remembered and his name was given to English kings.

"Oh, King John, what disaster. Rule restrained by Magna Carta."

@3.2187_Kilometres

2 жыл бұрын

"William, William, Henry, Stephen Henry, Richard, John, oi! Time for my mate, King Henry eight To take up this song."

@PrinceOfCats5

2 жыл бұрын

He got magna carta very quickly annulled by the pope though. It only came back in for young king Henry III with the bits most egregious to the king stricken off.

@dyingearth

2 жыл бұрын

@@PrinceOfCats5 However, almost every single King of England after have to renew the charter upon ascension to the throne. After a while that got bothersome and they just written into law.

@3.2187_Kilometres

2 жыл бұрын

@harry A red hot poker killed Ed II that must have hurt him lots. Edward III was a chivalry nerd, began the hundreds war.

@3.2187_Kilometres

2 жыл бұрын

@harry Henry IV plots galore, not least Henry V, why? Killed 10 score at Agincourt, then Henry VI arrived.

Henry VII is way too low, by far the best Tudor in terms of sheer canny ability and turned the kingdom from a basketcase to a relatively modern kingdom (certainly better than his disastrous son).

@jesuschrist9513

2 жыл бұрын

Henry VIII was alright if you're not catholic

@what-oy8il

2 жыл бұрын

@@jesuschrist9513 well my family suppose to be Catholic but i like him.

@Klimmek

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I think by far the most out of place ranking was Henry VII. He was arguably the best king as far as stabilising the finances of the nation goes, especially considering he ruled off the back of the Wars of the Roses.

@benjesterw

2 жыл бұрын

Henry VII managed to win the war of roses, unite the houses of lancaster and york, leave a large surplus treasury on his death and fund the first expeditions to the New World. His also marks the transition to unified english administration. He needs to be way higher.

@spectrum1140

2 жыл бұрын

I actually did think I should have put Henry VII much higher. Like, Top 10 higher. But by then, I was in the process of editing the video, and I didn't want to practically restart from scratch.

Agree with your sentiments on George VI - dude is very underrated.

@cronoros

2 жыл бұрын

Even got an Oscar winning movie

@iwnl_vale

2 жыл бұрын

Your channel is so good, I hope you make videos more often.

@MaxwellAerialPhotography

2 жыл бұрын

Don’t forget that he fought at Jutland while still a prince.

@accountreality1988

2 жыл бұрын

i thought you died! it has been years since i last saw one of your videos. amazing that i even remember you when i came across this comment.

@dabtican4953

2 жыл бұрын

HAHAHA WTF IT'S YOU you're a legend for your return a few months ago by the way.

I'd put Alfred much higher, definitely in the top 5. Without him, England would have been a Danish colony or a disjointed heptarchy . The idea of a united English kingdom begins with him. It wasn't realized until his grandson Athelstan, but he's the source. Without him, there is no list.

@dyingearth

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. He was wise enough to not just rely on military conquest to hold territory. He obtain submission of Mercia without wasting much needed troops against the Danes. He lost most of the wars against Danes until the one that counted. He really should be higher.

@HaroldMC63

2 жыл бұрын

He was definitely the most consequential, ending the heptarchy and weakened the danelaw

@hrotha

2 жыл бұрын

I'm just disappointed that bakery wasn't included in Alfred's list of achievements

@Oodelally

2 жыл бұрын

He is the only king to be named “the Great” in English history!

@Fiddling_while_Rome_burns

2 жыл бұрын

@@Oodelally Cnut the great, turns in his grave.

hmm, Holy "Roman" Emperors could be pretty interesting to look at next

@justinianthegreatandnerd6377

2 жыл бұрын

“holy” “Roman” “emperors”

@MrAwrsomeness

2 жыл бұрын

INB4 Someone says that annoying Voltaire quote.

@posu1882

2 жыл бұрын

I must give you a piece of intelligence that you perhaps already know - namely, that the ungodly arch-villain Voltaire has died miserably like a dog - just like a brute. - Mozart

@mysteryjunkie9808

2 жыл бұрын

When Charlemagne the pretender to the Roman Empire is going to be the best we already know it

@jimbones5484

2 жыл бұрын

@@justinianthegreatandnerd6377 Byzantiboo spotted, preparing to initialize Annihilation.

"It was Walpole" I cannot express how happy that reference makes me.

@tommyatomic222

2 жыл бұрын

Everything happens because of Walpole It has always been Walpole

@pionosphere

2 жыл бұрын

@@tommyatomic222 It's Walpoles all the way down.

@robertwalpole360

2 жыл бұрын

I would have to agree.

@ibullymidgets9138

Жыл бұрын

I’m still waiting on that extra history series

@DIEGhostfish

Жыл бұрын

@@ibullymidgets9138 Lost all interest in em.

Well lads you know what time it is. I'm William the Conqueror My enemies stood no chance They call me the first English king Although I come from France 1066, the Doomsday book I gave to history So fat on death my body burst But enough about me To help remember all your kings I've come up with this song A simple rhyming ditty For you all to sing along Oh, William (Bit short init? We need more kings. Who came next?) William second, cheeks were red Killed out hunting, so it's said I took over, Henry one That's my next eldest son Then King Stephen, it's true check it! Hi, Henry two, killed Thomas Beckett Richard Lionheart? That's right! Always spoiling for a fight Oh King John, what a disaster Rule restrained by Magna Carta William, William, Henry, Stephen Henry, Richard, John, oi! Time for my mate, King Henry eight To take up this song Henry three built the abbey Ed one hated Scots A red hot poker killed Ed two That must have hurt him lots Edward third was a chivalry nerd Began the hundred years war Then Richard two was king aged ten Then Henry, yes one more King Henry four, plots galore Not least from Henry five, why? Killed ten score at Agincourt Then Henry six arrived Edward four, Edward five Richard the third, he's bad 'Cause he fought wars with Henry seventh First Tudor and my dad So Henry eight, I was great Six wives, two were beheaded Edward the sixth came next, but he died young And so my dreaded Daughter Mary ruled, so scary Then along came... me I'm Liz the first, I had no kids So Tudors RIP William, William, Henry, Stephen Henry, Richard, John, oi! Henry, Ed, Ed, Ed, Rich two Then three more Henrys join our song Edward, Edward, Rich the third Henry, Henry, Ed again Mary one, good Queen Bess That's me, time for more men James six of Scotland next Is English James the first he led Then Stuarts ruled, so Charles the first The one who lost his head No monarchy until came me Charles two, I liked to party King Jimmy two was scary, woooh Then Mary was a smarty She ruled with Bill, their shoes were filled By sourpuss Queen Anne Gloria And so from then, you were ruled by men Till along came me Victoria William, William, Henry, Stephen Henry, Richard, John, oi! Henry, Ed, Ed, Ed, Rich two Then three more Henrys join our song Edward, Edward, Rich the third Henry, Henry, Ed again Mary one, good Queen Bess Jimmy, Charles and Charles and then Jim, Will, Mary, Anna Gloria Still to come, it's Queen Victoria And so began the Hanover gang George one and George two (grim) Then George the third was quite absurd Till I replaced old him King George the fourth and known henceforth As angry, fat and cross (hang on) It's true you beat Napoleon But were mostly a dead loss (bang on) Old William four was a sailor (ahoy) It's nearly the end of the story-a As onto the scene comes the best loved queen Hail to Queen Victoria William, William, Henry, Stephen Henry, Richard, John, oi! Henry, Ed, Ed, Ed, Rich two Then three more Henrys join our song Edward, Edward, Rich the third Henry, Henry, Ed again Mary one, good Queen Bess Jimmy, Charles and Charles and then Jim, Will, Mary, Anna Gloria George, George, George, George Will, Victoria Victoria Victoria Victoria (I ruled for sixty four years, you know.) Ed seven, George five Then Ed, George sixth Liz two then reigned and how And so our famous monarch song Is brought right up to now, oh William, William, Henry, Stephen Henry, Richard, John, oi! Henry, Ed, Ed, Ed, Rich two Then three more Henrys join our song Edward, Edward, Rich the third Henry, Henry, Ed again Mary one, good Queen Bess Jimmy, Charles and Charles and then Jim, Will, Mary, Anna Gloria George, George, George, George Will, Victoria Edward, George, Edward, George six And Queen Liz two completes the mix That's all the English kings and queens Since William first that there have been. Edit: I feel as though Charles II and Henry VII should be rated higher and you missed Lady Jane Grey. However aside from that decent list.

@danilobarbosavieira2130

2 жыл бұрын

God, how GOOD show Horrible Histories was.

@lowlsqwid

2 жыл бұрын

@@danilobarbosavieira2130 is*

@Darj_sip

2 жыл бұрын

@@nedsteven4622 wait horrible histories is still going?

@talkphilosophy5240

2 жыл бұрын

@@Darj_sip No

@dabtican4953

2 жыл бұрын

@@lowlsqwid Was sadly.

I'm an American, but George III probably should be ranked higher. Not only did he establish the King's Library. It wasn't just the American and French Revolutions that took place during his reign, but also the Industrial Revolution. Britain became both a huge colonial and naval empire. Britain's ships wouldn't have been able to colonize the globe if they didn't know where they were going, and George III not only set up a prize to get somebody to solve the longitude problem, but he personally intervened to make sure John Harrison got the money he deserved for inventing the maritime chronometer. I suspect some of the things that Victoria is praised for actually started in her uncle's reign.

@Taospark

9 ай бұрын

He was usually known more as the farmer's king which was already in the rear view mirror then which hurt posterity as well as his madness which may have been an untreated disease.

@-._A2._-

2 ай бұрын

Him allowing the highland clearance to occur tho.....

Great video as always, but I strongly disagree with the positioning of Henry VII. The man ended a 30-year fratricidal war despite having the weakest claim to the throne, imposed law and order on a heavily atomized feudal kingdom, conducted far-sighted diplomacy, sanitized the economy and trade, strengthened the royal coffers. Nah dude u did him dirty he's top 5 material imo 😂

@MrFishman55

Жыл бұрын

EXACTLY WHAT I WAS SCROLLING DOWN HERE TO SAY! My mans got done dirty!

@devishiaggarwal795

Жыл бұрын

Because Victoria was supposed to be in top 5, you know?! Despite the fact that her achievements were practically zero!!

@jamiemohan2049

Жыл бұрын

​@@devishiaggarwal795i dont think constitutional monarchs should be on the list. She didnt have absolute control or as you said accomplished anything. She merely symbolized an Empire and secluded herself nost of her reign.

@barissaaydinn

3 ай бұрын

But the fact that the wars of the roses took 30 years and decimated the country really helped Henry. In those 30 years, Beauforts, Yorks, Lancasters, Mortimers, Nevilles, and many other influential houses were either exterminated or severely weakened. I mean, it was so bad that a weasel like Thomas Stanley, who wasn't even an earl was the wildcard at the Battle of Bosworth Field. All Henry had to do was win two battles, not be a complete asshole to the nobility and the common people, and the country was his. Don't get me wrong, he was a great administrator and reasonably good general, but his job wasn't that hard. Much of that credit should go to Edward IV imo. He never lost a battle, he was shrewd enough to bring Woodvilles to power in order to limit the Nevilles, then willful enough to beat them when they betrayed him. He was also a great administrator and as he was beloved by the common people, the parliament and the nobility, he probably could better rule the country than Henry VII, too, if he hadn't died young.

Timestamps: **F Tier** 56. John Lackland 0:40 55. Richard II 1:17 54. Edward II 1:34 53. Henry VI 1:53 52. Stephen of Blois 2:07 51. Richard III 2:27 50. Mary I 2:53 49. Charles I 3:15 48. James II 3:25 47. Edward VIII 3:51 46. William Rufus 4:02 **D Teir** 45. Eadwig 4:10 44. George I 4:20 43. Eadred 4:33 42. Sweyn Forkbeard 4:45 41. Harthacanut 4:56 40. Harold Harefut 5:03 39. Richard I 5:12 38. Edward VI 5:30 37. George IV 5:49 36. Aethelread* 5:59 **? Teir** 35. Edward V 6:20 34. Edward the Martyr 6:35 **C Teir** 33. Charles II 6:40 32. William IV 6:51 31. George II 7:06 30. Edward IV 7:18 29. Edmund I 7:31 28. Edward VII 7:42 27. Henry III 7:52 26. Henry IV 8:06 25. Edmund Ironside 8:22 24. Henry VII 8:38 **B Teir** 23. George III 8:52 22. George V 9:07 21. Anne 9:16 20. Henry I 9:34 19. Henry VIII (bruh) 9:44 18. Edward the COnfessor 10:45 17. Harold Godwinson 11:00 16. James I 11:14 **A Teir** 15. George VI 11:23 14. Mary II 11:45 13. William the Conqueror 12:00 12. William II 12:10 11. Edgar the Peacefulu 12:16 10. Alfred the Great 12:25 9. Henry V 12:45 8. Canute the Great 13:00 7. Athelstan 13:12 6. Henry II 13:24 **S Teir** 5. Victoria 13:55 4. Edward I 14:06 3. Edward the Elder 14:26 2. Edward III 14:41 1. Elizabeth I 15:02

@giraffeman326

2 жыл бұрын

There’s the time stamp legend I was looking for

@calocaerus

2 жыл бұрын

Small correction: William II should be William III

@greywolf7577

2 жыл бұрын

So the S Tier is mostly E rulers?

@Exeggutor_Enjoyer

Жыл бұрын

@@greywolf7577 Yeah, three Edwards and Elizabeth in the top 4

@devishiaggarwal795

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, ? Tier for Victoria

I am so unbelievably grateful that you included the kings prior to 1066. Lol, much like Americans tend to skip the chapters of their history from the mayflower straight to the revolution the English seem to think their history doesn't start before William came ashore.

@musicoruu

2 жыл бұрын

same in english schools, we were taught only past 1066 in school

@ovaloctopus8

2 жыл бұрын

@@musicoruu we are taught about roman britain but they pretty much skip over the anglo saxon part lol.

@Luke_05

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah everything before 1066 (except for the Romans) just seems like a mystery in schools lol

@mike04574

Жыл бұрын

There isn’t enough time lol, it’s better to study more relevant topics and such, Events and Kings from after 1066

@TheOldBlackShuckyDog

Жыл бұрын

Yeah that’s in no way true…

Edward III was so badass, that he ruled those 50 years backwards in time... Seriously though, people don't give him enough credit because the 100 years war became what it became, if not for the Black Death he would have won and regained land lost since Richard's time (he held more of France than actual king of France). The often ommited fact is, England at the time had around 2 million Citizens, France around 17, and he still whooped their asses at every occasion. He got ready, trained his famous longbowmen to be the best foot archers in history by forbidding any sport other than archery (under the pain of death) and rescinding taxes on fletchers (bowmakers) for 5 years before the start of war, they even won a battle with literally their pants down, but the black death forced a ceasefire, and the country never recovered during his reign.

@jonahjayverdon

2 жыл бұрын

Whats the name of that battle?

@NylfaenNoldoreth

2 жыл бұрын

@@jonahjayverdon Not just any skirmish, but the battle of Agincourt itself, I will quote the description from warhistoryonline - "On top of being faced with an enemy that outnumbered them by two to one on the most modest estimates, the English army was plagued by sicknesses including dysentery, and had marched an average of 13 miles a day for over two straight weeks. The main disease running through the English camp was dysentery. Dysentery is a disease which mainly causes intestinal inflammation leading to excessively frequent and uncontrollable diarrhea. Thanks to their stationary position, the archers suffering from dysentery simply dropped their pant to more easily relive themselves. As the French knights and men at arms approached the English they traveled through narrow muddy fields and up a slight hill which pushed them together and slowed their advance. The professional English archers fired an incredible amount of armor piercing bodkin arrows at the French. In addition to the armor piercing arrows, it is thought that the archers also dipped their arrows in their diarrhea as a form of biological warfare and also for psychological impact."

@aegonii8471

2 жыл бұрын

@@NylfaenNoldoreth Bruh this is so insane they were literally shooting armed knights charging them on horseback while literally shitting themselves.

@fireraptor2209

2 жыл бұрын

@@NylfaenNoldoreth Agincourt was Henry V, Crecy (another really impressive battle) was Edward III

@noidea5984

2 жыл бұрын

He had a period of great sucess from 1345 to 1350, then it was mostly defeat against the French and Spanish. Also you tend to forget France wasn't an united country but a kingdom divided and under civil war, Brittany and Burgundy were on William III side thus no point to talk about population since you can't know how many were loyal to the French king. I won't talk how he wasn't able to win when France was under Charles V rule. He is far away from Henri V in term of combat.

Top 5 personal favourites: 1. Edward iii - reign epitomises the height of the romanticised medieval chivalric England with a Arthurian court (100 years war, Edward Woodstock the Black Prince, Crecy, Sluys, Chaucer, knights of the Garter etc.) If it wasn’t for the last few years of his reign where he most likely suffered with dementia he could definitely be Englands greatest king 2. Henry ii - while perhaps less romantic still extremely competent and powerful leader of what was later coined the Angevin empire, only let down by rebellious sons and his knights mistakenly killing Beckett 3. Henry v - hard not to be impressed even if he was a bit of a religious nut - Agincourt & Shakespeare ofc, fought in the thick of the battle of Shrewsbury at 16 scarring half his face. The dude was 6 weeks off unifying the English and French thrones if he hadn’t died!! Pretty impressive Hal 4. Edward i - the dude conquered Wales and made all future heirs it’s Prince while also building loads of huge castles there. Went on crusade in his youth, battered Scotland making it a vassal of the English (battle of Stirling Bridge etc.) until his son messed it up… Bannockburn 5. Edward iv - personal underdog fav, took the throne at 18 after defeating the Henry vi in battle, married for love (silly but respect), essentially won the war of the roses in his lifetime, brought back the chivalric court of Edward iii, and he was huge 6’4 (can you tell I love the medieval & the name Edward, ps. my boy Athelstan just missed out on this)

@dyingearth

2 жыл бұрын

Edward the Black Prince is great if you're English. He conducted a scorched earth warfare in France.

@thatonelad4594

2 жыл бұрын

It seems you have more of a high into late medieval period interest since I think I would put some more kings from the early medieval/dark ages period here , and maybe Elizabeth I too.

@eleanordavis7875

2 жыл бұрын

Edward IV is definitely underrated, I'd say. I think Henry VII learned a lot from his father-in-law's administration, especially government finances. Yes, his foreign policy ended in a bit of a disaster but overall, he was pretty good.

@nuckelaveez5029

2 жыл бұрын

Edward IV is a personal favorite of mine

@olliewalsh8706

2 жыл бұрын

@@dyingearth very true, all these kings/princes doubtlessly did terrible things

I would have put George III definitely higher on this list. His role for Britain is so often underrated.

@Michael_De_Santa-Unofficial

Жыл бұрын

Most misunderstood English monarch of all time.

@PunishedKrab

11 ай бұрын

As an American, i can confirm that 90% of his hatred generally comes from us alone

Brilliant list!! Some comments on it: You obviously know your stuff and don’t just follow the normal trends, I particularly love the often unrecognised credit you give Athelstan and Edward the Elder! While you justly put those such as Henry viii and Richard i fairly low on the list. - Charles ii at 34 a bit harsh: he did very well towing the line between Protestant and Catholics at perhaps the height of religious intolerance + seemed like a chill and hilarious dude. - Edward iv at 30 also seems harsh: effectively won the war of the roses during his lifetime, won the battle of Mortimer’s cross at 18 to become king and the guy was 6’4 (tallest king!) - bigger than longshanks - Unsure why Mary ii is so high at 14: always seemed pretty passive to me and was swept into power in the glorious revolution by others. Still, a very well done list!!

@spectrum1140

2 жыл бұрын

Do keep in mind, I did think quite a bit about re-arranging the list a little further, but I just didn't want to go with the trouble of re-writing the script. But some things I thought (after finishing the writing and recording and during the actual editing) were: 1- Henry VII should be way higher 2- Henry VIII should be a little lower 3- I should have put Henry II in S-tier 4- Edward III should be quite a bit lower. But if there's one thing I've learned from making lists such as these is that I can't waste too much time being indecisive; otherwise I'd never finish the video.

@eg310

2 жыл бұрын

@@spectrum1140 if you want voriaty in monarch quality look at France or HRE for Europe as they have the dumbest and some of the best rulers . Siam would be interesting since it's not trendy. Anyway good job

@thatonelad4594

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t think anybody ever put Henry viii high up in the rankings, usually I say they put him extremely low down.

@syro33

2 жыл бұрын

@@eg310 Ooh, east Asian monarchs would be interesting! And Siam/Thailand does tend to get forgotten about. Also, no big deal, but it's spelled variety.

@olliewalsh8706

2 жыл бұрын

@@spectrum1140 not criticising! I don’t envy rating every single monarch and there will always be a level of subjectivity to any of these lists. I agree with Henry vii & Henry ii probably deserving to be higher, but I think Edward iii at 2nd is spot on!

Did you know that Cnut the great was the first king of England to call himself the king of England his predecessors called themselves the king of the English

I agree completely with Henry VIII, like I think he also had some good advisors and guys doing the actual infrastructure... that he blew through by executing a lot of them. Can't argue he didn't have an eye for choosing administration which I think is an underrated trait in a king that can get you a lot farther than stuff like military acumen if you can just hire guys for that instead.

@zan4336

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah too bad he executed Cromwell

@thebonfireofgains

2 жыл бұрын

And More

These monarch videos are good to watch to see your perspective and such, it is also a good intermediate video to put between the episodes of the new Punic Wars episodes.

It’s rare I agree so much with any “list” video. You did a splendid job.

Also William the Comqueror did commission the Doomsdaybook, which is basically a giant land survey over England. I feel he would be higher than 13 for that.

@dyingearth

2 жыл бұрын

Before that, no King of England have remotely idea of how much possession he have in the country.

@Oodelally

2 жыл бұрын

Henry II also did the same with the Carta Baronum, but much later.

@hersirivarr1236

2 жыл бұрын

@@dyingearth Various ealdermen, earls and sheriffs would hav kept records on shires and counties. The Normans commissioned the Doomsday book partly because all of the Anglo-Saxon land and wealth records became obsolete after the invasion and the “harrowing of the north”.

@seronymus

Жыл бұрын

Look up the horrifically overlooked Harrying of the North. William was a genocidal maniac, who also turned England from an Orthodox free country into a Catholic feudal tyranny.

@rayzas4885

4 ай бұрын

He destroyed the north of his kingdom

Amazing video! Ranking of Monarchs/Emperors video are always funny and informative!

I love your videos so much!!! So simple yet they really make my day.

Edward IV is my personal favorite. A young man who marches to avenge his father and brother, and rules with mercy after

@Jackaljkljkl

2 жыл бұрын

Yea, Edward IV should have been Top 15, if not Top 10.

@Shuddho1980

4 ай бұрын

Yes, I’d have him in the top dozen at least. There’s very little outrightly bad that he did other than ‘possibly’ murdering the mad king Henry VI, but it was probably the most pragmatic thing for the stability of the reign. Also, I do like a king that fights his own battles.

7:00 Massive oversight on William IV. Seeing it was him who personally forced the Tories to accept the Great Reform Act in 1832. Thus placing him much higher.

Thanks for including the music used in the video!

looking forward to this writing up my own list soon

I actually think this is a very good attempt at ranking the monarchs. Henry 7th is obviously too low. Ethelred the unready is too high. Henry 1st should be higher aswell. I actually think Victoria is too high I appreciate It’s hard to rank a figure head but Victoria spent a considerable time of her reign moping after her husbands death instead of fulfilling her constitutional duty. She was pointlessly vindictive to Peel and Gladstone and she lucky that this didn’t have any lasting effects. Honestly William 4th (who is very underrated ) and George 6th were better figurehead monarchs but Victoria was playing on easy mode.

@Jackaljkljkl

2 жыл бұрын

Edward IV too low. Henry III too high. Henry VI should be bottom or second bottom.

@devishiaggarwal795

Жыл бұрын

@Andrew Lunn Completely completely completely agree with you!! Couldn't have agreed more. She is just so overrated you know!

I'm so thankful to see you put Harold Godwinson on this list. Guy fuckin crushes one of the most formidable people to ever challenge for the English throne in Harold Hardrada (I prob spelled that wrong). Last of the Vikings kings, guy was easily the most experienced militarily of the 3... I just didn't see that one coming... An then still gave William hell after marching his army at across the country at breakneck pace

@angelanapoleone7230

Жыл бұрын

Harold Godwinson is a personal favourite of mine, even if he reigned only for 9 months and is mainly remembered for losing at Hastings. But he lost after hours of well-balanced fighting, he had fought at Stamford Bridge less than three weeks before and had marched his army from London to York and back at an incredible pace.

Great work my friend i really like these videos

Yoooo I’ve been waiting for this, English history is one if my favorite subjects!

Would love to see Russian Czars, French Kings, and U.S. Presidents.

@caiochaves6582

2 жыл бұрын

there is already a video pn the russian tsars

@17ethann

2 жыл бұрын

already did tsars, but French kings and us presidents would be great

@spectrum1140

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, regarding US presidents, I'm not really sure if I want to step on that landmine.

@Colinop

2 жыл бұрын

@@spectrum1140 it would be extremely interesting tho, you could just cap it at like 2000 to not get many people mad

@bymafia2606

2 жыл бұрын

@@spectrum1140 wise man

"When the long tally is added, it will be seen that the British nation and the English-speaking world owe far more to the vices of John than to the labours of virtuous sovereigns". - Winston Churchill on King John

New Spectrum video just as I get home from work! Neat!

Thanks for this video!

So umm, guess it's time to update the list

You show the depth of your scholarship by making Edward III no. 2. The guy was amazing! I can’t believe there hasn’t been a movie about his life. And on top of that, he sired, raised and trained the Black Prince.

@bengardner2363

10 ай бұрын

Shakespeare wrote a play about him but it was kept secret for a while because he didn’t want to offend the new Scottish monarch with its negative depiction of David II of Scotland. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_III_(play)

been waiting for this video for a while!

Loved ur list. And loved the skyrim plug.

Loved your list on the Tsars keep up your great work!

Whenever you make these tier lists I make a list in Word for myself too. First I go to the corresponding Wikipedia article, then I copy all the names into it (even the disputed ones) and then I start playing the video and sorting the names in my list at the same time. There are always some names that get left out. So this time the people who were left out were - all the disputed claimants - king Phillip of Spain and - both Cromwells (and I can see why these people were left out)

Wildly off-the-mark list; excellent commentary. That sums this video up.

@phillazenby5351

Жыл бұрын

yep

Nicely done!

Spectrum: the queen is alive and hasn’t finished yet Me: …

Note on Anne, she actually reigned from 1702 to 1714. She was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland until the Acts of Union in 1707 wherein she reigned as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland until 1714.

I love your video's they are very informative and funny

So which place would you put Elizabeth II in now that her reign has come to an end?

Personally I would rank Richard The Lionheart and Charles II higher a bit higher because Richard was pretty much everything people at the time wanted a King to be, a great general who fought wars and went crusading while leaving the barons and earls along to manage their own fiefs without intervention, and Charles II because he's the king who brought back partying!

@loganbagley7822

Жыл бұрын

Even though Richard I hardly spent any time in England during his reign, it is worth mentioning that he was remarkably popular among his subjects, largely due to his battlefield exploits. There is something to be said for that.

@phillazenby5351

Жыл бұрын

@@loganbagley7822 I am not sure that is true, I think he just had good publicity and the debt I am sure cant have been very popular at all.

William II was called Rufus because it's Latin for Red-Haired. It's a Roman cognomen.

Great video as always. What about polish monarchs next ?

I think if Henry V would've lived longer he might've been the best English monarch ever

I gotta call out yet also credit discussing Edward I without mentioning that he conquered Wales. It’s too important not to mention, but also his reign wasn’t just about conquering Wales so it’s nice to see him spoken of without that

Would have had Henry VII in the top 3. I cannot express enough how good of a monarch this bloke was.

@ie2428

2 жыл бұрын

He was quite irresponsible and immature, the stars just happened to align for him. Why do you think he's so good?

@marktaylor6491

2 жыл бұрын

@@ie2428 1. Brought about military and political stability after the Wars of the Roses 2. Used said stability to reform and grow the English economy Sure he had an air of 'Michael Corleone' about him. But England in the late Middle Ages wasn't a particularly pleasant place to be.

@elainechubb971

Жыл бұрын

@@ie2428 Henry VIII was the irrresponsible and immature one. Henry VII was a fairly unpleasant man and had no compunction about executing anyone he considered a threat, but he was fiscally responsible and pretty adept at diplomacy.

@ie2428

Жыл бұрын

@@elainechubb971 ohhhh see I read that as Henry VIII as opposed to Henry VII

@animallover6645

Жыл бұрын

he is my fav King

Richard I was a great warrior king but not a great king of England. Think he deserves to be higher up though. His crusading accomplishments set him apart from any of the other middling monarchs.

@cronoros

2 жыл бұрын

Eh. For a tier list of"Monarchs of England" he is probably too high. Great guy, maybe. Great soldier, sure. Great monarch... he never really did the job. His main contribution to the kingdom was getting captured on his way home from Crusades and had to be ransomed at a cost that bankrupted the kingdom. This also dragged down his brother who inherited the bankrupted realm. His capture wasn't entirely his fault as he was under papal protection as a crusader but he also was a complete muppet to put himself in that situation. If you mark John down for being forced to sign magna carta, you have to mark Richard down for playing a huge role in creating the scenario that forced it.

@eg310

2 жыл бұрын

@@cronoros to really understand how stupid that capture affair was you only need to understand that doing what he did would get you killed even today let alone in the middle ages

@joellaz9836

2 жыл бұрын

@@cronoros But unlike John, Richard managed to defeat the French king and regain all the lands that were lost while he was imprisoned in Austria and Germany. Things were going very well before Richard died and all the English nobility supported Richard and were loyal to him. It’s only after Richard died that John, being incompetent, lost the lands once more to the French king.

@joellaz9836

2 жыл бұрын

@@cronoros Richard did not create that scenario. Before Richard died everything was actually going very well. He had reconquered all the lands lost in France and defeated the French king. But John was unable to hold back the French king like Richard nor was he was popular among the Barons like Richard since he kept losing.

@cronoros

2 жыл бұрын

@@joellaz9836 don't get me wrong, John absolutely was not a good king but neither was Richard really. Richard was a good general and soldier but not a good king. Note the verbiage you used "regain", "reconquered" - as in Richard lost them cos he was not there to hold them. He could win them back in war but ruling them was a different matter. And while things were OK when he died, he never settled the succession (an ongoing issue true...) leading to a war and ultimately a king who had no power base of his own. John was a worse ruler in his own right but his line ruled for centuries. If given more time, how well Richard would have ruled long term is an open question also given his record in aquitaine prior to becoming king versus what experience he might have gained since becoming king.

i think that after you make a few more of these, maybe at some sort of channel milestone you could throw together every single emperor/ruler from all of your ranking videos (or at least some from each vid) and put together a general ranking for all of them.

I always thought Henry VII was seriously underated. I studied him at school and he honestly made very few mistakes and managed to drag the country out bankruptcy. His diplomacy was masterful and the only monarchs I consider better than him were Alfred and maybe Athelstan.

Bloody fanstastic champ, for next one of you're episodes I recommend doing Polish ones. There were many of them and well, you already touched on western and eastern, so what about central?

@APoleYouKnow

2 жыл бұрын

HARDMODE: Don't put a Hungarian as number 1.

@justwex-mapper

2 жыл бұрын

If you want to do central europe, then do the centre of central europe, bohemia

Love this content

Can you try Dutch stadtholders and Kings ? Philips II (yeah, that one!), Stadtholders William IV and V and King William III would be up for my personal shit list.

As always good video, Kingdom of Poland and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, next please!

I like the inclusion of the AngloSaxon kings who are so often forgotten. Richard III deserves a better rank, certainly better than Edwig, Eardred, Edward V ( who never ruled) and Sven Forkbeard, and even Richard I who was a miserable king. A very enjoyable video!

Good video dude

I'm so impressed with that list. It's so spot on imo

My friends and I went through and ranked all pre-Act of Union monarchs for fun a while back. We came up with similar rankings, but our top five were: 1) Edward III 2) Edward Longshanks 3) Alfred the Great 4) Henry II and 5) Tie between Athelstan and Henry V

@elainechubb971

Жыл бұрын

No Elizabeth I???

@ZosimusNova

Жыл бұрын

We did it in a bracketed tournament format, Elizabeth was knocked out by Longshanks in the third round.

@elainechubb971

Жыл бұрын

@@ZosimusNova Ah! It sounds like a typical NCAA tournament, when you anxiously scan the brackets to see how far your team is likely to go, only to see it's been seeded lower than you (a fan) thinks fair and is up against Gonzaga or UNC in the third round! So she (presumably) wasn't' seeded as high as I (a fan) would have liked. Well, I'd never win the office pool anyway. Whether it's basketball, Halloween candy, or monarchs, there's a lot of subjectivity, which is part of the fun.

@ZosimusNova

Жыл бұрын

@@elainechubb971 Elizabeth was a good queen for sure, but even then I'd still have her in the tier just below our top monarchs I think, as her reign was not without some major failures, like the Counter-Armada.

“It was Walpole”. name a time that it isn’t Walpole. Its literally always Walpole.

@Tyleya

2 жыл бұрын

It’s Always Wapole!

We need this lift to be updated

Amazing job! You are one of the only people who has done this list and I have been waiting for one this good. Keep up the good work!

0:32 So uhhh update pls?

Let's not forget that Henry II took some pretty heavy defeats against the Welsh,like the Battle of Ewloe.

@duncancurtis1758

2 жыл бұрын

He blubbered like a baby when Becket was taffered.

@CommonSwindler

2 жыл бұрын

This is very misleading. Henry was never decisively defeated by the Welsh princes. Each time, at Ewloe and Crogen, he battled the Welsh indecisively and then outmaneuvered them politically. By the late 1170s the Welsh Princes, especially Rhys of Deheubarth, had submitted to Angevin hegemony, with Rhys even being appointed Justiciar for Southern Wales thus being incorporated in the Angevin feudal structure. Henry was never defeated entirely in any of his endeavors, quite the opposite in fact. He won even if he seemed to lose (Hosler, "Henry II: A Medieval Soldier at War 1147-1189"). This is classic medieval Realpolitik, of which Henry was THE master. War is not merely a question of battles, it is the enforcement of a political principle. At this Henry was undefeated for 35 years until the very last days of his life when he was dying man. Truly a peerless monarch.

@CommonSwindler

2 жыл бұрын

@harry This is completely speculative. Henry time and again made way for John to prove himself, for instance in John's disastrous expedition in Ireland in 1185. That John was such a dastardly man is not something to be laid entirely at Henry's feet. John had his father's administrative zeal but not his genius.

@CommonSwindler

2 жыл бұрын

@@duncancurtis1758 And then Henry II cleverly got almost everything he wanted in the Compromise of Avranches and was able to completely hijack the Becket cult for his own ends. Its difficult to see what Henry really lost, practically. He could still intervene and often did in ecclesiastical matters. Famously, he often commanded appointments to church offices. For instance, in the election of the Bishopric of Bath he told the abbot, "I order you to hold a free election, but forbid to elect anyone but Richard my clerk." Three guesses who became Bishop of Bath? And this was AFTER the Becket affair. Henry had the absolute power of an Roman emperor (Cantor, "The English: A History of Politics and Society to 1760).

@Koor22

2 жыл бұрын

@@CommonSwindler But he couldn't conquer the Kingdom of Gwynedd.

Great video! One small issue at 12:35, and it's a common misconception to fall under, but Alfred was never deemed "king of England", he definitely laid the foundations for England to emerge later down the line though.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DUDE !!!! finally english monarchs

Good list it is ironic that Henry VIII went through so many wives because he wanted to leave England a male heir, but Anne Boleyn bore him Elizabeth who put England on the world map, England has done well under her queens, who ruled in their own right.

@yourmammu

Жыл бұрын

Omg amen!

@davidwalker3626

Жыл бұрын

She did put England on the map in some ways (or those around her did), but she also let the sadist Richard Topcliffe brutally murder and torture god knows how many innocent people, executed hundreds of innocent people like Campion and Mary Queen of Scots, and acted like an absolute child even in her 60s.

RIP queen Elizabeth. Our longest reigning monarch.

Id like to see you rank all 45 US Presidents. Btw love ur channel been following u since the western roman emperor video

Thank you for this list. I have a request. Kind of an addendum to your list. Now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed on. Where would she be on your updated list?

@aaanawaleh

10 ай бұрын

Maybe somewhere like 30th in my opinion. Britain's standing in the world decreased during her reign and she didn't really do anything besides attending ceremonies and banquets. She was popular so she isn't 40th or something but she didn't have much of an impact on britain for a monarch.

Henry III should be way lower. He bungled multiple invasions of France which didn't achieve the goal of retaking the Angevin lands. He turned most of his own nobles against him. Started a massive feud with Simon De Montfort, leading to the devastation of the second barons war, and his powers being further limited than they were already (thanks magna carta) with the provisions of Oxford. He only got saved in the end by his own son, and the fact that most nobles hated De Montfort more than him. An absolute train wreck from start to finish.

@Jackaljkljkl

2 жыл бұрын

I said this in a comment too. After his regent (William Marshall), best frenemy (Simon De Montfort) and his own son (the future Edward I), Henry III managed to have a long reign where his was never close to being the most important person in the kingdom. He also had a terribly unpopular Queen Consort too in Eleanor of Provence, which didn't help. Some important buildings and institutions were created, but that was more despite of him and inevitable during such a long reign.

@ericlurio246

Жыл бұрын

this would be a good place to mention Louis VIII of France, who was king of England just before Henry.

I had to check the date of this video when you mentioned Elizabeth II being alive

This series is amazing

I'm honestly glad that Harold Godwinson was placed so high up, poor guy gets so much shit and in my opinion doesn't get enough credit. When his nation was in turmoil he stepped up, he put down Welsh raiders, marched up and down the length of England to crush a massive invasion by Norwegian Vikings after Northern English forces couldn't hold them back, and then he marched his dogged and tired army all the way back down to the very south of England to face off against William. A lot of people also don't realize that the English very nearly defeated the Normans even after having to march up and down England and already after having put down a massive invasion force. Every charge William sent up the hill after the English was crushed and forced back, it got so bad that the morale of the Normans nearly broke when they thought William had died, he had to ride in front of his army with his helmet off to prove he was still with them, and even then it got so bad that they seemingly began to retreat (this may have been a trap, but it's not impossible that they genuinely were trying to retreat, since they were suffering very bad casualties, even the Knights). There is a good chance Harold would have defeated the Normans and William would have been ever after remembered as the Bastard rather than the Conqueror had Harold's infantrymen not given into their bloodlust and chased the retreating Normans down hill therefore losing their position on the hill and falling prey to the Norman Knights who cut the disorganized and panicked footmen down like grass. Even with the annihilation of the infantry and the death of their King, the elite Huscarl axemen of Harold still fiercely held their position on the hill and fought to the death against the overwhelming Norman Knights. So I'd say, Harold deserves way more respect than he gets.

Welp, time to update the list. What ranking does Elizabeth II get?

@devishiaggarwal795

Жыл бұрын

>25 I would say

Do Poland next. Have fun with the many elected dynasties after the main Piast branch died out in 1370). ;)

@AlexS-oj8qf

2 жыл бұрын

*sad Lithuanian noise*

ive would love to see you do the Danish Monarchs next

A question due to what happened in September 2022: Where will you place Elizabeth II?

I love how the bottom half of the list bounces back and forth between random kings in the 18/19th century and then even more random and obscure medieval kings

Henry VII super underrated, retook the kingdom from exile, eliminated the various dynastic threats, and unlike his son understood Englands strength and thus sought to avoid war while maximising income by playing the great powers off each other. In my opinion the best Tudor monarch and most overlooked English King.

@evilgoose6768

10 ай бұрын

I think Elizabeth I is still better than him but he is definitely underrated

Dose Lady Jane Gray not count? I don't remember seeing her in the video and she wasn't mentioned at the same time as Elizabeth II. Was her reign just too short?

I'm about seven minutes into the video and I've only just realised you used the same picture between each section, I kept thinking they all looked incredibly similar lmao

I feel Charles II is ranked lower than he should be, in my opinion. Unlike his father and brother, Charles II was actually able to dissolve parliament and rule competently as an Absolute Monarch. Aside from that, he also steered the country through three catastrophic events, the Great Fire of London, Great Plague and most of the Popish Plot. In fact, he even personally dispelled the Popish Plot himself. As well as going to London with his brother to assist the Firemen during the Great Fire of London. Personally, a favourite of mine.

George V should be much higher for his innovations that started the modernisation of the British monarchy and bringing the institution closer to the people: cutting the German ties, changing the dynastic name, founding the OM, CH & OBE decorations, setting the rules for British royal titles and marriages that still endure to this day, as well as WWI and recognising that Edward VIII would be a disastrous king. Also, the Empire was at it's greatest extent during his reign. Queen Anne should be ranked higher than her sister Mary II, who was a fairly passive joint monarch in deference to her husband. Also, i think the first portrait you show as Anne is actually Mary (I may be wrong). Henry VIII deserves a higher rank for his break with Rome - it remains the most nation-defining act in English history, even if he was a monster. Charles II too, for re-establishing the monarchy after the ghastly Cromwell, rebuilding London after the Great Fire, and (inadvertently) fathering so many of the ancestors of today's non-royal dukes. Henry VI and Richard II, while not great rulers, were great patrons of learning and culture, so maybe deserved a higher rank. Ditto, George II and George IV for the same reasons. Loved that you included the Anglo-Saxons and Danes (and wisely left out Matilda). Although where was Lady Jane Grey?

@bobmiter3045

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed with you up until you said Henry VI deserved to be higher. Lost of all England's French territories to end the Hundred Years' war, a puppet of powerful Dukes (Somerset and Suffolk), which fostered the start of the War of The Roses. If he let Richard of York manage control of the French territories, it would have been a different story. Let's not also forget he frequently turned into a vegetable and couldn't rule.

@craigrm74

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with all your points. Perhaps I should clarify: Henry VI should be *slightly* higher, if only for his founding a number of important colleges. It was his one lasting achievement.

Jesuits, who were Catholic, were actually the first to implement educational reform across Europe, making mathematics compulsory. In fact, in the 16th and 17th century mathematics was only truly taught in Jesuit schools. Others only did very basic maths (like primary level).

Considering how high you place Canute, Godwinson and Edward Confessor, I'd have placed Edmund, Sweyn and Eadred maybe slightly higher? Ed III seemed to be to me undermined too, but you placed him high enough? I am also still arguing with myself on whether or not you placed Edgar Peaceable in the right spot, idk

Henry VII ended the war of the roses, united the two houses of Lancaster and York, formed powerful marriage and trade alliances abroad in a time where England's international power had been decimated by the Hundred years war, and turned the deficit he inherited into a surplus that he left behind.

How the hell is Victoria ranked higher than Henry II? She was a figurehead that did basically nothing, Henry II was the man who built the mighty Angevin Empire and established English common law

@Se53533

Ай бұрын

I didn't understand what you meant by 'she did nothing', after all, it's a constitutional monarchy.

Where would you rank king Edward the 7th ? Awesome channel ,great content, but I didn’t see him in this episode great work my friend!!!!!

@thepsychoticgentlemen5595

10 ай бұрын

Never mind I found him lol still awesome content bro, I would suggest maybe ranking the pharaohs of Egypt next

Don’t think I’ve really seen too much of English rulers discussed in bulk, looks neat.

That’s not a British accent, it’s really cool that you’ve taken such an interest in our history that you’d make this. You must be great at quizzes! 😝 I’m British and this is educational.

Now that Queen Elizabeth II have pass, I figure she's either below or above her father George VI.

@Oleksandr.Derkach

Жыл бұрын

I think she was even better constitutional monarch than he was. She should probably be in the S tier

So imma ask the not so obvious. Since he was a oing in all but name, where do you put Cromwell at?

When are we gonna get an updated list with lizzy II