Kings who did not die in their beds

Most British Kings died of natural causes and hopefully in their own beds, but there were exceptions.

According to the Shakespeare play, Macbeth, spurred on by his wife, murdered King Duncan I of Scotland. A good story but not true. Duncan, an unpopular king died in the Battle of Brughead in 1040, when his army was defeated by that of Macbeth, who had a legitimate claim to the throne. Macbeth was a good king. Eventually, he was overthrown by Malcolm III, Duncan’s son, in a battle in 1057. Malcolm’s mother was Danish noble, a close relative of Earl Siward, who became Earl of Northumbria. The Anglo/ Danish version of history painted the Gaelic Macbeth in a bad light, and this came down to the Bard and to us.

Later, in Scotland we find the Stuart Kings, who had troubled lives until 1603 when the Scottish James VI became James I of England. The first James of Scotland was murdered by rebellious nobles. James II died accidentally whilst besieging Roxburgh, held by the English. The siege was successful. James III was slain by rebels. James IV died at the Battle of Flodden, a famous English victory. James V had been defeated in a battle but escaped to discover that his wife had borne him a daughter, Mary. He died shortly afterwards and the daughter became Mary Queen of Scots, whose life was tragic. But the dynasty prevailed in the end when her son became King of England and Scotland.

In earlier times in England, the Saxon King Edmund I the Magnificent was stabbed to death by an outlaw, whom the king was trying to apprehend at a banquet.

King Edward the Martyr was murdered in 979 on the orders of his wicked stepmother, so that her son, Ethelred (the Unready) could succeed to the throne.

King Harold II met his end at the Battle of Hastings. It is thought that he was killed by a sword and that the famous arrow went into the eye of another warrior. If you can visit the Bayeux tapestry, check for yourself.

The son of the Conqueror, William II, was killed whilst out hunting in company with his brother Henry, who succeed him as
Henry I. It was said to be an accident, but foul play was suspected by some.

Henry I died from eating too many lampreys, to which he was addicted. They are ugly eel-like fish and do not look appetising.

Henry II was thrown by his horse when there was a sudden clap of thunder and died.

King John, suffering from depression on losing the crown jewels in the Wash, died from consuming too many peaches and cider.

Edward II was killed on the orders of his Queen Isabella of France and her lover, Roger Mortimer. He had a red-hot poker inserted into his bowel. His ghostly screams were heard for years.

Henry VI was stabbed to death in the Tower, possibly by Richard of Gloucester, who became Richard III and who, having perished at the Battle of Bosworth, was buried in a carpark.

Charles I was beheaded on the orders of Parliament with a vote of 68 for and 67 against. Close thing.

Since then, our Kings have died of natural causes, although William III was thrown by his horse and died. Our sovereign Queens of England and Scotland, except for Mary Queen of Scots, died of natural causes.

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