Intelligence Squared The Sunday Debate: Who was the greatest English monarch? In Partnership with History Hit
Nov 27, 2022
Join award-winning historians Tom Holland, Tracy Borman, Helen Castor, and Jane Ridley as they debate who truly deserves the title of England's greatest monarch. They discuss the unifying efforts of Alfred the Great during Viking invasions, Henry VIII's transformative reign, and the complexities surrounding Elizabeth I's authority as a female ruler. Queen Victoria's dual legacy in a shifting political landscape is also explored. This lively conversation dives into the lasting impacts of these monarchs and the criteria for historical greatness.
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King John's Misfortunes
- King John lost the crown jewels while crossing the Wash and subsequently died of dysentery.
- Nobles preferred his young son, Henry III, over a potentially competent but undesirable successor.
Edgehill and Lutie
- The Battle of Edgehill in 1642 marked a turning point in English history, leading to a destructive civil war.
- After the destruction of the Summer Palace, Queen Victoria received a Pekingese dog named Lutie.
Alfred's Greatness
- Alfred the Great is the only English monarch explicitly called "the Great."
- He saved the English from Viking invaders and laid the foundation for a unified England.
