Boring History for Sleep

Worst Scandals of Medieval England | πŸ‘‘πŸ’€ Boring History For Sleep

Jan 9, 2026
Delve into the shocking scandals of Medieval England, where treachery and betrayal were commonplace. Discover how King John's desperate maneuvers, including the mysterious fate of Arthur of Brittany, led to political turbulence. Explore the dramatic murder of Becket and the intrigue surrounding the lost Princes in the Tower. Unravel Edward II's downfall fueled by his obsession with Piers Gaveston and the chaotic fallout that followed. Each scandal reveals the precariousness of power and the whispers that could topple kingdoms.
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INSIGHT

When A Friendly Appointment Becomes A Political Disaster

  • Henry II's appointment of Thomas Becket backfired when Becket shifted from royal chancellor to zealous archbishop defending church rights.
  • The conflict with Becket exposed limits of royal power and forced public penance that shaped crown–church relations.
ANECDOTE

Murder Inside Canterbury Cathedral

  • Four knights interpreted King Henry II's angry words as permission and murdered Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170.
  • Becket's death produced immediate miracle claims and rapid canonisation that bolstered church authority.
INSIGHT

Tyranny That Produced A Charter

  • King John’s cruelty and arbitrary rule culminated in Magna Carta, a reactive charter that began limiting royal power.
  • Scandal and baronial revolt turned private abuses into long-term constitutional constraints.
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