Arguably the two most benevolent monarchs in history would be Cyrus of Persia and Ashoka of India. Cyrus was tolerant to all who lived under his empire and allowed them to practice their religions and maintain their forms of government asking only for a yearly tribute.
More than 60 writers were surveyed by the Historical Writers Association (HWA), with Henry VIII taking 20% of the vote to find the worst monarch and criticised for a wide range of crimes: he was “obsessive”, “syphilitic” and a “self-indulgent wife murderer and tyrant”, according to respondents.
Much like his brother before him, King John was never meant to take the throne. Being the youngest son of Henry II and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine, John wasn't expected to have much in the way of land and titles. He would however go on to be known as England's most hated king.
Æthelstan (king of England, 925–939)
It is difficult to be certain about the personality of figures from so long ago, but accounts of Æthelstan suggest that he was of devout Christian faith and showed compassion and charity to all.
George III is widely remembered for two things: losing the American colonies and going mad.
Mary I of England
Mary I could have reserved a place in common history as the first woman ever to be the queen of England. Instead, she is mostly remembered as “Bloody Mary” – a name she acquired because of her staunch and violent opposition to the Reformation.
From acclaimed historian Chris Skidmore comes the authoritative biography of Richard III, England's most controversial king, a man alternately praised as a saint and cursed as a villain. Richard III is one of English history's best known and least understood monarchs.
Sweyn Forkbeard, England's forgotten king, ruled for just 5 weeks. He was declared King of England on Christmas Day in 1013 and ruled until his death on 3rd February 1014, although he was never crowned.
#1: Louis XIV of France
Called the “Sun King” in life, his legacy casts a long, dark shadow, making him the most famous and notorious king in history.
In the Book of Psalms, God's universal kingship is repeatedly mentioned; for example, Psalms 47:2 refers to God as the "great King over all the earth." In Christianity, the title is sometimes applied to Jesus.
Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603)
Military conquests
Narasimhavarman I is claimed to be one of the Indian kings who never lost on the battlefield to their enemies.
Alexander the Great
Inspiring bravery and loyalty in his troops, he adopted many foreign customs and traditions in order to rule his millions of subjects. Alexander was aged only 32 when he died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BC.
King Edward VII — King of England, 1901–1910
However, he was most commonly known as “Edward the Caresser” and “Dirty Bertie”, thanks to his countless mistresses and numerous sexual relationships.
Louis XIV's love of women is well-known. Throughout his life, he had a number of mistresses including the Marquise de Montespan and the Duchess of La Vallière, both of whom bore him several legitimated children.
Henry VIII (1509-1547) is one of history's most famous monarchs. His radical political and religious upheavals reshaped the Tudor world. He is best known for his six marriages and his life-long pursuit of a male heir.
Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603)
The history books talk much of her make-up and spinsterhood, but there is no doubt that she was one of the most badass monarchs England ever had. Elizabeth's early life did not start well. By the age of three, her father had had her mother executed, and Elizabeth had been deemed illegitimate.
Historian Helen Castor pieces together the story of Lady Jane Grey, the teenage girl who reigned as Queen of England for nine days in July 1553.
Richard III was the last English king to be killed in battle.
Henry II had to allow himself to be whipped by the monks of Canterbury, to signal his atonement for the fact that he had, supposedly unwittingly, led to the murder of the most important Church official in England.