Monarch Madness Final Five (episode 50)

We celebrate our 50th episode by celebrating the FINAL FIVE, the winners of our first ever Monarch Madness!

1. King Arthur

In many ways, the musical Camelot is a fitting way to think of King Arthur. We don’t know if he was a real person or not. There are stories that start in the fifth and sixth century of a great warrior. Later stories turned him into a military leader and eventually a King. The stories continued to grow.

From fifth century to today, the legend of King Arthur and what he stood for, a fleeting wisp of glory, has lived on. No surprise he was a big winner in Monarch Madness.

2. Edward IV and Team York

Team York was another big winner in Monarch Madness! It was another one-sided contest, with Edward IV outstripping Henry VI by a long way. Henry VI really never had a chance. He was not a great King, and he allowed factions to fill and ultimately destroy his government. He didn't have what it took to be King.

Edward IV definitely had what it took. He was the only King in history to take his throne by force, lose it by force, and then invade his country and take it by force again. Edward took up the Yorkist standard and brought the family to the throne—twice. He was a strong and successful King.

3. Henry VII

Henry VIII might be one of the most famous Kings of England—if not the most famous—but he did not prevail against his father in Monarch Madness. This would have been infuriating for him, as he seemed to be fighting against his father’s memory and achievements his entire life. So perhaps even Henry VIII realized that the most significant of the first two Tudor Kings was, indeed, Henry VII.

Henry VII created the Tudor dynasty. He created the Tudor story. He created the narrative of his claim to be the Lancastrian heir. He created the Tudor rose. He ensured the succession. Henry VII created a dynasty that would last 118 years and change England—and Europe—forever.

4. Elizabeth I

Two women battled for power in the sixteenth century. Both Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England were center stage. After centuries of male rule, England and Scotland were ruled by women. And both women were ambitious, interested in gaining and maintaining power, and willing to fight for the throne. Eventually, only one would prevail.

Ultimately, Elizabeth I was voted most successful Queen. It’s partly her choice of advisors that gave Elizabeth the opportunity to be the more successful Queen. William Cecil and Francis Walsingham and others worked tirelessly to secure Elizabeth’s throne. In addition, Elizabeth had cultivated a relationship with her people from the time of her accession to the throne. Most English Catholics remained loyal to her, despite the efforts of the Pope to turn them against her.

5. All Six Wives

Although I am committed to considering each of Henry VIII’s wives as an individual and seeing her for who she really was, as we went on with the experience I realized that it’s not really the point to look at which wife changed Henry most. They all changed Henry in various important ways. Overall, I’d say he wasn’t worthy of those women, and they all deserved better. And they all changed Henry VIII and his reign, changed Tudor England, and changed history. 

The wives showed Henry the value and power of women. The wives taught Henry about courage. The wives taught Henry that women could rule. The wives provided Henry with future leaders of the Tudor dynasty. Over the length of his reign, together and individually, the wives of Henry VIII changed him. 

Monarch Madness was an opportunity to shake up history together. Thank you for joining me!!

History shows us what's possible.