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Posted by jenny (U14149730) on Monday, 23rd May 2011
I was just thinking this in respect of MQoS's hopes for Elizabeth being assassinated to make way for herself, and then wondering how many British monarchs actually were murdrered. ("For within the hollow crown keeps Death his court.....")
So far, for England, I've got: (post Norman!)
- WIlliam Rufus (shot while hunting)
- Richard I Lionheart (shot while doing something else?)
- Edward II (don't ask!)
- Richard II (starved??)
- Henry VI (polished off by Gloucester in the Tower??!)
- Edward V (ditto?!!!!!!)
- Charles I (executed by regicides)
I think that's it.
As for Scotland - no idea! James IV I think was assassinated sometime in the l5th C (Didn't he marry a daughter of John of Gaunt by Katherine Swynford?)
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I don't think Richard I being shot by a member of the garrison of a castle he was besieging counts as murder.
As for Charles I, he had a fair trial and got what he deserved - executed, as you say, not murdered.
James IV was killed in open battle at Flodden in 1513 - no suggestion of any skulduggery, AFAIK.
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Can you define what you mean by murdered Jenny? Assassinated, died on the battlefield or of results of wounds, executed?
Welcome back to you btw.
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Mary, Queen of Scots was executed (although, like Richard II, after giving up ther throne). Some say that Edward IV and Edward VI were victims of poison by power-hungry courtiers.
James IV of Scotland was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. James III was assassinated and James II (of Scotland) was killed whilst examining a cannon at the Siege of Roxburgh and is buried in three places. James I was assassinated (it appears that James was not a lucky name for Scottish kings).
I would have thought that the Lionheart's death doesn't really qualify as "murder" any more than that of Richard III or James IV but a "death in armed conflict" which would be the same for the violent deaths of the Anglo-Seaxon kings including Harold II and Alfred's three brothers. However Edward, known as "the Martyr, who preceded Ehelred the Unready was murdered at Corfe Castle in 975, probably by his stepmother, Elfrida, so her natural son could succeed him (shades of Agrippina, Claudius and Nero!).
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, in reply to message 4.
Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Monday, 23rd May 2011
Some would maintain that Edward VII, George V and George VI were all murdered by the Benson & Hedges company, making the outfit one of English history's most successful - and persistent - regicides.
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Yes, 'murder' is definitely a tricksy word when it comes to getting rid of kings....!
I guess I would define it as when at least one individual wants someone dead, and makes sure it happens! (eg, King David despatching poor old Uriah the Hittite to the wars so Bathsheba could be conveniently widowed!)
I don't know much about R I (outside of Robin Hood stories ha ha!), but didn't Queen Berengeria have his killer horribly killed himself, which might indicate it was intentional on behalf of the killer (or maybe the killing was unintentional but Queen B was still badly miffed.....)
Re Scottish James - yes, that's it, James I - I got them muddled.
I agree Charles Stuart that-man-of-blood is more problematical as to whether it was murder or justifiable homicide/execution.
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, in reply to message 5.
Posted by Vizzer aka U_numbers (U2011621) on Monday, 23rd May 2011
The fate of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd is disputed. Some accounts say that he died in a skirmish while others say that he was murdered after being taken prisoner.
Whether he can be included in the list, of course, depends on which version is believed. It also depends upon whether the list is strictly of those monarchs who have been 'murdered' or (as has been queried above) it is a general list of those who have met violent deaths.
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The dying George V was euthanised by his doctor with an injection of a morphine/cocaine mixture, allegedly so the king's death would be first announced in the morning newspapers rather than the "less appropriate" evening ones
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Yes, I was going to mention that one.
How many more world leaders have the broadsheets had assassinated on a slow news day?
I think we should be told!
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The future Henry V ( a good Oxford University man) had a narrow escape at Shrewsbury, where he was wounded in the face by a rebel arrow.
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Edmund, who was king from 939 to 946, was murdered. According to the ASC he was stabbed byone Liofa at a royal manor in Pucklechurch. As mentioned eslewhere King Edward was murdered at Corfe. What are claimed to be his bones are held in the St Edward the Martyr Orthodox church in Brookwood in Surrey.
Tim
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