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.