Who is your favourite medieval king of England?

[The Reverend]

Always been fascinated by Ethelred the Unready, mainly because he has such an intriguing name.

Turns out that “unready” in this context translates to “poorly advised” and is a pun on his name, which means “well advised” in old English.

[Dunners]

Good question. Given the board's ability to tackle and solve some of the world's most challenging issues, it's about time we turned our attention to this important topic.

But, before we proceed, it's worth us reflecting on recent experiences whereby it has become clear that some people lack the ability to grasp basic definitions. So, as to avoid any unnecessary confusion and conflict, we should first agree on the definition of the "medieval" period.

I propose that we go along with the definition in The Medieval Times:

"The medieval era, often called The Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, began around 476 A.D. following a great loss of power throughout Europe by the Roman Emperor. The Middle Ages span roughly 1,000 years, ending between 1400 and 1450."

[Currywurst and Chips]

Interesting thread, some underrated monarchs during that period

1. William I
2. Richard I
3. Henry V
4. Cnut

Think the House of Knýtlinga doesn’t get the respect/attention it deserves

[Long slender neck]

Sexism alive and well I see.

[Hoover Attack]

Sexism alive and well I see.

eh?

[Dunners]

William I has to have been the most impactful, surely? The introduction of Norman-style feudalism fundamentally transformed the legal system of land ownership rights to such an extent that they still exist today. It also introduced many French words into the language.

[Real Al]

Although not a huge fan of William 1 (the b*stard), I am mildly tickled that he exploded at his own funeral.

[OyinbO]

Anyone who doesn't say Edward III is clearly wrong.

[Proposition Joe]

Sexism alive and well I see.

eh?

Glorifying the memories of MEN who ruled via a determinedly misogynistic hierarchy, with a toxic macho culture. Medieval Britain wasn't a safe space for women, trans people or ethnic minorities so a thread of the "best" or "favourite" people who propped up this environment is, at best, extremely tactless.

[cymruO]

Don't think I have a favourite. This period of history was like any period - turmoil, dynastic quarrels, wars, civil war, papal and church authority seen as interfering with the authority of the king and, in England's case - parliament. So much of the history of those rulers was about how the responses they made to all that was happening around them - I wonder if Henry VI would be seen in a different light had it not been for the bitter feuding of the houses of Lancaster and York, and the belief that a king needed to be strong in certain ways. What sort of a King would Richard III have made, had he lived way beyond 1485? Then there was Henry II, establishing the Angevin dynasty, or Edward I, who's image has been badly portrayed by 'Braveheart'. Edward III with a reign of 50 years, most of it covering the 100 years war; or even Edward V, who has provided us with one of the greatest mysteries of the Mediaeval Ages.

[Dunners]

What about Bad King John? I mean, having the word Bad in your title is pretty iconic stuff. And he would have got away with it too if it wasn't for Robin Hood and his pesky band of (albeit misogynistic and white-privileged) merry men.

[Currywurst and Chips]

Edward IV has to be up there for answering calls for a ceasefire in the Hundred Years’ War and ending Britain’s far right colonialist war on the oppressed indigenous French.

[Dunners]

Edward IV has to be up there for answering calls for a ceasefire in the Hundred Years’ War and ending Britain’s far right colonialist war on the oppressed indigenous French.

As opposed to a pause in hostilities?

[spen666]

What are we defining as the medieval period?

[Dunners]

FFS.

[Holybourne Identity]

Edward III followed by Henry II

[Hoover Attack]

Edward IV has to be up there for answering calls for a ceasefire in the Hundred Years’ War and ending Britain’s far right colonialist war on the oppressed indigenous French.

As opposed to a pause in hostilities?

Tag Team, back again!

[Hoover Attack]

What are we defining as the medieval period?

[Chief crazy horse]

Eddie lll has to be one of the biggest influences in medieval history with all of his sons (two being Black Prince and John of Gaunt) and the war of the Roses that followed. And then followed also, theTudor line after the Battle of Bosworth field.

[Chief crazy horse]

What are we defining as the medieval period?

Well the end, at least, has to be at the battle of Bosworth when Dickie came to grief and the Tudors emerged.

[The Mindsweep]

Edward II, whose antics and demise where immortalised in the name of a famous 70's Pub Rock/ Punk crossover band from Essex

[bobo66]

I wonder what Edward I (the Hammer of the Scots) would make of devolution.

[Orient_Man_And_Boy]

As an aside, I've always thought Queen Emma was a cute cookie.

[Omygawd]

Spare a thought for King Stephen (of Blois), Duke of Normandy. Died in Dover of a bowel disorder. Having once had a curry in Dover I can understand why. Saw off David I of Scotland and also some Welsh upstarts which contributed to devolution being off the table for a while. Broadly though he is notable for having contributed nothing much to history, admirable.

[EliotNes]

William the Conqueror