2006-09-27 01:43:20 · 35 answers · asked by peebo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
Queen Victoria! She was the best, to me anyway!
2006-09-27 01:46:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Two main favourites: Queen Elizabeth I for obvious reasons; and Charles II, who was a rakish playboy, as we say! His father was beheaded, and he restored England to pleasure once more when he returned from exile. He was also exremely tolerant and intelligent, though somewhat lazy as ruler. He was kind to his poor little wife even though he had many mistresses and illegitimate offspring, upon all of whom he bestowed titles. He seemed to look on the world with detached amusement. When he died, his last words were to the effect of: "I'm sorry, gentlemen, to be so unconscionable a time a'dying!"
Here's a piece to sum him up:
"Charles II was always very merry and was therefore not so much a king as a Monarch. During the civil war, he had rendered valuable assistance to his father's side by hiding in all the oak-trees he could find. He was thus very romantic and popular and was able after the death of Cromwell to descend to the throne."
(1066 and All That)
2006-09-27 02:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Elizabeth the first because everything was against her when she took the throne. Her mother (Anne Boleyn) had been beheaded for adultery leaving Elizabeth illegitimate.
She was a woman taking on a job that only men had done successfully before her. Her half sister Mary left the country to Elizabeth in financial ruin which Elizabeth turned around. She walked in the middle ground when it came to religion which is unique in Tudor history. I mean she was remarkably tolerant of Catholics.She was also held in the tower herself before she was Queen and knew the fear of being suspected of treason!
She made us rich and began our empire. She sacrificed having a marriage and children for the love of England.
Why do Americans say Victoria???? WHY? She was just a grumpy, snobby old woman who did not achieve much she just ruled!
2006-09-29 20:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by Nicola H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Elizabeth I because she was such a stong, courageous woman even though she suffered her fair share of hardship by losing all her family and being the last Tudor monarch, not to mention the fact that her father, Henry VIII went out of his way to have a son to take over as King, so he can't have appreciated her very much when she was born and throughout her childhood. Still, she remains one of the best known and respected English monarchs of all time.
2006-09-27 01:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by Hotpink555 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Queen Elizabeth 1st. She was a woman in a man's world. She managed to keep her head & her throne - no mean feat in those days. She encouraged world exploration & discovery & the arts. She defied the might of the Spanish Armada. She was a highly inteligent & gifted woman. England was a world power under Elizabeth.
2006-09-27 01:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by Caro 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ethelred the Unready (c. 968 – April 23, 1016), also known as Ethelred II and Æþelred Unræd, was King of England (978–1013, and 1014–1016).
Another example of a person who got tarnished with the brush of history unfairly
His nickname "The Unready" does not mean that he was ill-prepared, but derives from the Anglo-Saxon unræd meaning "without counsel" or "indecisive".
2006-09-27 01:47:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
it would have to be Elizabeth I
wow!!! what a woman!!!! not only was she young when she came to the throne, but she was the only woman in a position of authority over all men in an age where it was unheard of that women should have any authority at all. not only did she manage take control in such circumstances, but she excelled to such an extent as to be one of the longest rulers, saw england into one of it's most prosperous times in history, and had total control over her sexuality... ie she didn't live like a nun to achieve these aims, nor did she feel it was necessary to marry to be successful.
a question i would love to ask her though... did she feel she made a sacrifice by not having kids? i think she did.... one she had to make to sustain her position in those times. if she where alive today, i think she probably would still have achieved all these things, and popped out a kid or two.
2006-09-27 01:59:15 · answer #7 · answered by sofiarose 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Queen Elizabeth was certainly one of the most successful. She wasn't the first woman monarch, her sister Mary I was, and thank goodness SHE didnt rule for very long! If I could bring someone forward to this time, it would be Henry VIII and Anne Bolyen, to show them how successful their daughter was, and For Henry to get on his knees and apologize to Anne for his treatment to her!
2006-09-28 11:04:45 · answer #8 · answered by Thia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Henry VII is the most underrated King of England. He ended decades of civil war, united the country, and built up the treasury. Not very exciting, but he did a great job!
2006-09-27 20:39:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Henry the VIII. The old boy sure knew how to live like a king. And if You are going to be a king , it is of the out most importance to know how to live like one. History is full of kings full of tragedy, insanity, indecision, madness, and plain tribulation. Not our Boy Henry, when the Pope condemned his divorces, he made himself head of the church. That is a king for you! Besides he was fat,
and remember what Caesar Augustus said " Let me sit
in the middle of fat people, they are pleasant , loyal and know how to have fun. Not he lean ones like Cassius, bitter, hateful and planning treason all the time."
2006-09-29 17:43:06 · answer #10 · answered by willgvaa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Queen Elizabeth the First.
2006-09-27 01:53:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋