Chilling Facts About The Dark History Of Warrior Kings
Warrior kings are the stuff of legends—yet few people know these tyrants' even darker histories.
Some of them were cut down in battle, some succumbed to disease from hard miles out on campaign, and some were betrayed by those they trusted most, but very few of these bloodthirsty tyrants lived long enough to see old age.
Read on to discover more about some of the most fearsome warrior kings the world has ever seen.
1. Happy Birthday
Richard III was born on October 2, 1452. Incredibly, he was the twelfth of thirteen children! His parents were Cecily Neville and Richard Plantagenet, also known as Richard of York. Before his dramatic life was finished, the history of England would be forever altered.
2. Finishing Last
Richard was the last king of both the House of York and the Plantagenet dynasty. Before Richard, the Plantagenets had ruled England for more than three hundred years!
3. Don’t Break My Streak
Richard holds one title that I'm sure he would have preferred to avoid: As of 2018, Richard is the last king of England to die in battle. It’s a record that he seems very sure to keep (unless we just jinxed it by saying that).
The hollow crown Richard iii
4. A Quick Retreat
Richard's mother sent him and his brother George to stay in the Low Countries (the Netherlands) in the aftermath of their father’s brutal end. They didn’t return to England until their brother Edward's victory at the Battle of Towton, which occurred a year later. Richard was named the Duke of Gloucester at this time.
