Who was the WORST King in History?

Who will claim the title of worst king in medieval history? Let’s uncover the truth behind their rotten reigns! I include rulers who are kings in all but name so Emperors and the like are fair game!
Explore the darkest tales of monarchs, from incompetence to madness. Meet King John of England, King Charles VI of France, King Henry VI of England, King Louis II of Hungary, Æthelred the Unready, Emperor Michael III of Byzantine, Emperor Wenceslaus IV and Stephen King of England.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Who was the worst king?
0:21 King John of England (reigned 1199-1216)
1:52 King Charles VI of France (reigned 1380-1422)
3:07 King Stephen of England (reigned 1135-1154)
4:13 Emperor Wenceslaus IV (reigned 1363-1419)
5:24 King Henry VI of England (reigned 1422 to 1461 and 1470 to 1471)
7:08 King Louis II of Hungary (reigned 1516-1526)
8:26 King Michael III of Byzantine (reigned 842-867)
9:23 King Æthelred II, also known as Æthelred the Unready (reigned 978 to 1013 and 1014-1016)
Thanks for watching my lil' history channel! A thumbs up on the video would be much appreciated! Follow for more history and stories from the medieval, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Tudors and Stuarts periods - any time you might find knights and nobles.
➤ Subscribe: / @knightsandnobles
#KnightsAndNobles
#MedievelHistory #history #historychannel
#medieval #middleages #mediaeval
#king #kings #kingshistory #royalhistory

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Hope you enjoyed the video! If you did, giving it a thumbs up really helps me out and subscribe if you want to see more! 😁

[@King_Steffon_II]

This narrator is pretty hilarious 🤣 🤣 "If only my hat was bigger, it could have all worked out..."

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Thanks, that has made my day! Thanks for watching :)

[@connorrivers995]

I think the worst medieval King/Emperor was Andronikos I of Byzantium. He caused so many purges and was such a sadist that he was overthrown and torn to pieces by the mob of Constantinople.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Very interesting and what a way to die! Thanks for commenting :)

[@KnightsAndNobles]

@connorrivers995 I don't know if you will see this comment but I included your suggestion in my new video, what a short but horrific rule Andronikos had! Thank you :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqqk52agZuleK8

[@connorrivers995]

@@KnightsAndNobles I did see the new video. Thanks!

[@murmursmeglos]

Technically Stephen didn't lose, he and Henry came to an agreement that Henry recognises Stephen as king and Stephen recognises Henry as his heir (since his first son had died by then). The biggest loser was probably Matilda who just gave up and let her son do his thing. And to give Aethelred some credit, his massacre was a reaction to constant attacks from Danes for years and their forced extraction of England for money, despite a peace treaty, he figured any Dane would turn on him in an instant.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Excellent points. I did wonder, regarding Aethelred, was he really any worse than any other king? For example, the Tudors carried out so many religious persecutions. This list could get pretty long! I am enjoying the commenter suggestions of others who they would add, very interesting...

[@javkhlanbaatarkhuu4271]

It should’ve been titled the worst medieval kings of Western Europe.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Thanks for the feedback, I will note this for any future lists.

[@connorrivers995]

Byzantium was in eastern europe.

[@thiago292]

It has western and eastern rulers in this list, what are you talking about

[@willsalomone4137]

​@@connorrivers995And Bohemia is in central Europe.

[@elagabalusrex390]

Why? She named 3 monarchs that didn't reign in western Europe - Wenceslas of Bohemia, Louis II of Hungary, and Michael III of Byzantium.

[@Nicholas-mi2vt]

Do who was the best king in medieval history next

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Great idea! Thanks for the suggestion. I have a few other vids in the pipeline first but will definitely do this one :)

[@davidryley4162]

Edward lll

[@joannedavis8461]

Was King Henry 5th considered in that category? He was considered one of Englands best Kings

[@katakauchi]

@@joannedavis8461 He had his troops massacre French peasants to send a warning to the French nobility . He is hated by the French to this day .

[@StefanMochnacki]

Richard II certainly belongs to this category.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Great suggestion, thanks for commenting :)

[@joannedavis8461]

I wrote the same

[@KnightsAndNobles]

@StefanMochnacki @joannedavis8461 I'm not sure if tagging will actually notify you but I included your suggestion in my new video, thank you both! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqqk52agZuleK8

[@joannedavis8461]

​@@KnightsAndNobles looking forward to it, read so much about him!

[@joannedavis8461]

E problem with Richard ll, he was very spoiled and raised by his parents making him believe he was God of all his people, that's why he had a ego

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Charles and Henry VI did not seem like bad people, just not fit for the job. Louis never really stood a chance, having not been properly prepared for kingship. Stephen lied and John was a shady character. Wenceslaus was cruel. Michael's character may have been misrepresented but there sure was a lot of murdering going on around him! Aethelred did something truly awful, even if many Kings have done similar. Who was the worst?

[@SassyyjuicyMaria]

The video should've been about half an hour long... To me it'd be Edward II because of his favou- rites among many other things

[@forbesmeek6304]

Edward I the monster who massacred the population of Berwick thus starting the wars of independence and England's defeat.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Great suggestion and what a horrible and huge massacre! Thanks for commenting :)

[@thiago292]

Good video!

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@Iluvthe1960s]

I’ve loved all history for over 50 years but my favourite are the Middle Ages, love the video, you have a wonderful voice that is clear, easy to understand and the video was not too long as some (that are also very good) are meaning I haven’t always got time to watch it all. Also like the way you talk to your viewers like you’re talking to a friend, little touches of humour like the ‘don’t worry they fight back later’ about the French. You’ve got a new subscriber! Looking forward to the next and going back through the old ones!

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Thanks! Really appreciate you have taken the time to make such a lovely comment! Hope you enjoy the other videos too, cheers :)

[@richardlbowles]

Great video, especially as an introduction to some of the nastiest English monarchs of the Medieval period. Can I put in a good word (bad word?) for William Rufus (William iI), a particularly nasty and cruel tyrant. Also, you could have mentioned that the reason Edward VI of England was such a psychotic barn pot was because he was the grandson of the aforementioned Charles the Sixth of France, whose daughter had been diplomatically married to Henry's father, Henry the Fifth. Schizophrenia has a strong genetic component and there is good reason to believe that Henry VI inherited his from Charles via his mother.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the feedback and recommendation of William II, I'm enjoying everyone's suggestions 😁 I mentioned him in my latest video about the Normandy kings, if you are interested - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWHMqmuVa7anmqc I wonder if his cruelty had anything to do with him being (possibly) assassinated?

[@BoraDrljaca-io2sv]

Now this is definitely some lovely content on KZbin

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment

[@samsara2521]

I love the funny editing and the jokes had my laughing

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Thanks for commenting, I'm glad to hear the video made you smile! 😁

[@competitionglen]

Charles 3 had the longest apprenticeship so i.hooe he turns out alright.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

I still can't get my head around him not being "Prince" Charles...

[@annavafeiadou4420]

Wenceslaus and Aethelred seem the worst!! Henry VI and Cherles VI to me are more to be pitied than vilified they weren't for the job but it wasn't malice and it wasn't really up to them to just decide to quit it either

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Yes, I feel very sorry for them too, I can't imagine they received much empathy. And let's just say, I wouldn't trust John to house sit whilst I was on holiday!

[@welshgal5533]

King John and Edward II a close second.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Great suggestion, thanks for commenting :)

[@ernestov1777]

I dont know who could be listed as the worst, but i dont like Otto the Great decision to give so much power to the Bishop of Parma.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

If only he had a sausage instead... if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmSXg5Whd6aknLs

[@galolito]

It was nice to hear Stephen pronounced Stephen rather than Steven. And I do mean that.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Cheers! I realise it is not usually how his name is pronounced but I can't change it now! 🤷‍♀️ Thanks for commenting

[@galolito]

@@KnightsAndNobles It's is supose to be pronounced ste-phen not with the v sound. Phen (Greek for to carry) is a common componet of drug names and in pharmacy it is pronounced correctly. But English pronuncation is so often just a dogs breakfast.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

That's interesting. I have always said it that way. There were a few disgruntled comments! "Dog's breakfast" is a wonderful term too! :)

[@jamellfoster6029]

Aethelred the Unready's sword looked like a giant pickle 🥒.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

😂😂😂

[@joannedavis8461]

And he was the official 1st King of England

[@alecblunden8615]

Being excommunicated by a pope is a good indication that a King was doing his job.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Ha, yes! The clergy could be a bit excommunication happy at times too. Thanks for commenting :)

[@paulmicheldenverco1]

To be fair Matilda, she took her sweet time getting to England.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Perhaps it was true, in that moment, that he had to take the crown to preserve order. He isn't the worst... so far I think it's Timur, who is on the new list, who might be the worst! Thanks for commenting :)

[@joannedavis8461]

Matilda was the official 1st Queen of England

[@charlesrobinson9881]

Henry VIII depending on your definition of middle ages.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

My definition is quite loose! Henry comes up quite a lot, not a popular king. Thanks for commenting :)

[@sandrablanchette2239]

John. There's a reason there's only been one king john

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Indeed! Thanks for commenting :)

[@davidryley4162]

Henry Vl stands alone

[@ChrisDynamo]

6:10 Some really odd pronunciation in this vid.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

That's wiiild 😂 Thanks for commenting

[@matthewgilmore4307]

John seized the throne. Arthur of Brittany should have succeeded.

[@joannedavis8461]

Richard ll

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Another vote for Richard II! Looking like a strong contender. Thanks for commenting :)

[@78smusicman]

John

[@KnightsAndNobles]

I can't believe Richard forgave him... I guess because kinslaying was such a no-no and he didn't have an heir. Thanks for commenting :)

[@MrTonyHeath]

Suspect pronunciation of place names.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

And that's with practice... I would have failed French class, if I'd ever took it ;)

[@leorudham62]

And Stephen

[@sirtalkalotdoolittle]

Mary Tudor.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Bloody Mary! Great suggestion, thanks for commenting :)

[@TikeWates]

Either Vlad or Ragnar

[@KnightsAndNobles]

A couple of very interesting characters indeed... Thanks for commenting :)

[@user-lo1cv1fu3h]

I think Henry VIII

[@KnightsAndNobles]

He was certainly a wild one! Thanks for commenting :)

[@Carlton-B]

His most dread sovereign Lord is an early modern king, ruling after 1500.

[@FranSpong]

All as bad as each other

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Yes, it's hard to pick when even the kings remembered as "good" also usually did pretty awful things too. Thanks for commenting :)

[@borginburkes1819]

King John of England has to be the worst.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

A shady and duplicitous character for sure! Thanks for watching :)

[@rickroden7666]

England was so weird. Think of the big castle where so many people were left to die, and so many tortured to death. what a strange land.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

England is still weird... Thanks for commenting

[@rickroden7666]

@@KnightsAndNobles The tower of London has seen more torture and murder than most castles.

[@matthewgilmore4307]

Europe was weird...but not taught

[@James-ug8wg]

King John was not that bad a King in fact. The decline of Angevin power in France was ongoing before he came to power. By the time he ended his reign the Pope was his ally, not his enemy. It is arguable that John was on the verge of defeat to the Baron faction as well. In fact had his health held it was the Barons whose faction was in disarray. The French invasion was going nowhere as a series of events removed their leaders one by one while the two elder statesmen William Marshal the Earl of Pembroke and Ranulph of Chester held the Midlands for John. The French were in England to plunder not conqueror and tensions between them and the Baron rebels frayed rapidly. Doubt me? Just read W.L. Warren biography King John a well respected College text still used in college courses 63 years after the first edition was published. So King John was absolutely NOT the worst Monarch of the Middle Ages.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

This is very informative, thanks for commenting. I do wonder if Richard would have been remembered as the worst brother if he hadn't been so successful in war.

[@Churchmilitant67]

Phillip the fair of France, hands down.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

"He is neither man nor beast. He is a statue." Excellent suggestion, thank you :)

[@Churchmilitant67]

@@KnightsAndNobles I don't remember who said that quote, but given his ruthlessness against the knights templar, the term beast works for me.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

@Churchmilitant67 I included your suggestion in my new video, thank you :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqqk52agZuleK8

[@Churchmilitant67]

@@KnightsAndNobles thank you for the acknowledgement, your too kind!

[@Nana-vi4rd]

In my opinion it was King Henry VI who was the worst King of England. He was mentally incompetently for the role first off. He should never have been crowned in the first place. They should have allowed him to become a priest as he always wanted to be. And place another, more able person to be crown. Henry VI was responsible for all those who died because of the War of the Roses.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Absolutely, he would have been happy as a priest and would have been good at it too with his love of education! Thanks for commenting :)

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

Vigo the Carpathian?

[@KnightsAndNobles]

😂 what a classic, I haven't watched Ghostbusters in ages!

[@JacksonStorms-mv7yb]

King Leopold

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Brilliant suggestion and an absolute monster! Thanks for commenting

[@robert-surcouf]

In no way Stephen is one of the worst mediaeval king on history. The guy took the throne by himself and kept it for 19 years until his death and not being dethroned or killed. Louis 2 reigned in the 16th century so he's not a medieval king (whic ended in 1453 with the fall of constantinople and the 100YW end or 1492 with Colombus and the america). The list is really incomplete because it skipped almost entirely all the kings in early middle ages and the kings who are not from england and france while in the hre and constantinople, the rulers were emperors but not kings.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

You're right, there DOES need to be another video! Here it is 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqqk52agZuleK8 I'm including rulers who are kings in all but name if I think they are interesting people. You are totally right about Louis, I should have scripted the video differently really. I do appreciate your comment about Stephen, I think it's interesting to hear different opinions on the candidates and why maybe they shouldn't be considered that bad. Like Henry was not really a bad guy at heart and did promote educational institutions so maybe he wasn't the worst. When it comes down to it, the lists are just for a bit of fun and I am but one person producing the vids, there will be mistakes made at times.

[@robert-surcouf]

@@KnightsAndNobles About Stephen, i think he's underrated (but he's not a good king either) as a king of england because between Athelstan and Henry 6, there's many with worse records than Stephen or at least a bad record -Eadwig ruled 4 years and do basically nothing until his death at 18 -Edward the martyr was murdered at 16 after a 3 years rule by his mother in law -Aethelred the unready was controlled by his mother, was dethroned temporarily and wasn't able to deal with the vikings -Edmund basically fight for 7 months but was defeated then die -Edward the confessor who ruled, thanks to everyone else dying but provoked another war about the succession while he had a legitimate grandnephew aka Edgar aetheling -William 2 was hated by everyone and conveniently died by "accident" (in the same forest as his older brother Richard in 1069-1075 and his nephew Richard in 1099) -Richard 1 ruined england twice and never cared about the kingdom -John 1 aka magna carta man and his death saved the plantagenet dynasty against the future Louis 8 -Henry 3 who faced a rebellion against the barons and was saved by his son -Edward 2 was dethroned by his wife and was likely murdered by her and Mortimer -Richard 2 was dethroned by his cousin and was likely murdered by him -Henry 6 was dethroned by his cousins and was murdered by them For Henry 6, he was indeed a good man but unfortunately for him, he was doomed before birth as he was also Charles 6's grandson and likely inherited his madness with the same consequences in both cases (rise of two sides who tried to control the king, a civil war and many loss in the 100YW) It's just a theory but maybe Stephen is ranked so low because british historians portrayed him in a bad way while for foreigners with a more "neutral" view, he seems to be an ok tier king.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Sometimes the kings get a bad rap because if they were later recognised as good or legitimate it would then delegitimise the contemporary ruler who wasn't from their line - so Stephen would have had a bad press from Henry onwards. It's harder to pick out the BEST king! But it would have been a particularly hard job back then.

[@LadyOfSnark]

Vlad Tepes.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Big personality, big trouble... flippin' huge moustache! Thanks for this excellent suggestion :)

[@stevenmoses5807]

The worst king is the clown we have got now..

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Well he's yet to conduct a massacre... but there's still time!

[@stevenmoses5807]

@@KnightsAndNobles not yet but hes commiting treason against the English people. By not stopping the government from destroying our country

[@bishopofsahs]

Alfred the great

[@KnightsAndNobles]

He was certainly a terrible baker... Thanks for commenting :)

[@robertfoulkes1832]

Never mind worst king, this vid has some of the most annoying mispronunciations on YT! Stephen = "Steffen"?? Angoulême = "Ann jew lame"! Mohacs = "Mow hash" Oh dear.

[@KnightsAndNobles]

Sacre bleu! Yes, I cannot pronounce French for the life of me. Alongside other languages. Thanks for commenting ;)

[@shawnastephens1536]

John