Willmark:
Real simple: Who is you favorite historical figure and why?
I’ll start.
For me this is an easy one: Henry V, the hero King of England. A man of his time who packed much into his short 35 years (as we would measure it today). He was a brilliant tactician, a sound strategist (for the most part) and was in many ways the first modern general.
He was also a cultured man in an age that was emerging from the horrors of the Black death and the other disasters of the 14th century. Not only that but he spoke several languages and has a keen interest in not only law but music and spiritual/political measures.
He was also hard and domineering man, sometimes unreasonable, and towards the end of his life more inflexible.
He also died young at the pinnacle of his greatness, leaving history to ponder what might have been if reigned for more then his short 9 years.
In spite of all this however, he was alway be remembered as a soldier and great general. He was personally brave having fought and routed the rebels at Shrewsbury as Prince during his father’s reign to fighting and leading the English at Agincourt and the grueling sieges in the later years of his reign.
In closing the example of medieval kingship personified. So much so the Bard would raise his status to mythical proportions. But in truth the reality is not very far from the legend. Read GL Harris’ Henry V- the Practice of Medieval Kingship for insights to all aspects of his reign, a good read indeed.
I’m interested to hear others favorite figures throughout history.
But yes, sooooooooooo much history! =S