Britain’s Greatest Monarch — a vote
I just caught the end of BBC Radio 4’s Today show this morning. They had a panel of historians discussing the question : Who was Britain’s greatest Monarch?
It looks like they’re doing another listeners’ poll, which might be rather dangerous given the current climate of fakery around polls of this kind.
So that Royal Anedotes can get its retaliation in first, let’s have a vote here. Who is Britain’s greatest Monarch and why do you think so?
The three experts in the studio suggested, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Queen Victoria. Like all experts they couldn’t even agree on that.
King Arthur!!!!!!
By Lilyfromfrance on August 10th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Good choice, Lily.
His real name was Owain Ddantgwyn (pronounced, Ohyne Thantgwin) a Welshman and King of Powys in the 6th century. He was also default Emperor of Rome during Rome’s fall from grace. Not everyone agrees with that though.
So, we have one vote for Arthur.
By John on August 10th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Oh I know everything about him John! Everything that comes from the Houses of Normandy and of Plantagenet are great to me!
I also like Queen Victoria because she reminds me a super powerful Kingdom. A great British Empire that doesnt exist anymore. But the best monarch?
I loooooooooooooooooove Arthur!!!!!!
By Lilyfromfrance on August 10th, 2007 at 9:23 am
The odd thing is that, apart from Arthur, most of the top British Monarchs are women : Elizabeth I, Victoria and now Elizabeth II.
By John on August 10th, 2007 at 9:39 am
I think most the RA readers are going to vote massively for Elisabeth II.
Let’s wait for this afternoon when our dear American friends will wake up.
By Lilyfromfrance on August 10th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I am American, but have read extensively on the British Monarchy and I believe Elizabeth I to be the greatest.
By Kirstin on August 10th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Queen Victoria gets my vote. I lingered for a bit over Edward III, one of my favorite monarchs, and it is tempting to vote for either Elizabeth I or Elizabeth II, but I find I must vote for Queen Victoria. Partnered as she was with Prince Albert, Prince Consort, a remarkably gifted and selfless man who guided and mentored the Queen until his death in 1861, Queen Victoria was, in my view, England’s greatest monarch.
By Gigi on August 10th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
She presided over the height of Britain’s power, Gigi. Her Diamond Jubilee year, 1897, was when we were the greatest nation on earth. I’m tempted to choose her myself.
By John on August 10th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
This American is wide awake. I have read extensively about Elizabeth I and I cast my vote for her. She was an amazing woman surrounded by male advisors, yet who apparently remained true to her own mind.
think so highly of her in fact that when I spotted the Barbie Queen Elizabeth I doll (I’m not kidding - complete with brocade coat and fabulous red hair) I immediately purchased it for my daughter Elizabeth. No, I’m am not one of those weirdos with Barbies and Star Wars figures in their original high class plastic boxes. My daughter actually played with QE I.
By Mary on August 10th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Glad to hear that there are still children somewhere who dont play with these stupid Barbies
My main game when I was a kid was to build the Windsor Castle (which was built by Arthur) with my Legos. I had a cabin in the garden that I liked to think it was my Camelot. Ridiculous because too small. With my cousins we liked to play the Knights of the Round Table and we use to made 2 groups, the French and the English and then we fought with ridiculous plastic swords or branches. When we didnt like someone, it was given the Siege Perilous. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it was ridiculous but so great…
By Lilyfromfrance on August 10th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Queen Victoria! She was very wise woman. And she could become grandmother to all Europe. GB was realy empire during her reign
By Eugenia on August 10th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Edward VIII for the win!
By ClassyCanuck on August 10th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Lily,
You had a beautiful Jane Austen type of childhood!
By Mary on August 10th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
How cute. Thank you Mary!
By Lilyfromfrance on August 10th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Lily, I have a collection of books about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round table. It has been one of my great interests since my childhood, along with the study of the Kings of England and British history in general. Our summer home was in Chautauqua, NY and by the lake is a stone representation of the Holy Land. We used to pretend it was Tintagel Castle where Arthur was born. We would go to the beach and build a sand castle and pretend it was Camelot.
By Gigi on August 10th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Thats lovely, sweet Gigi. That makes me smile
It seems that almost everybody had its own Camelot during the childhood
By Lilyfromfrance on August 10th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
This American is wide awake and home from work!!! My vote goes to Queen Victoria as the greatest monarch. As Queen and Empress she ruled for sixty plus years during very trying personal circumstances. Victoria raised 9 children who married well as well as being gifted artists with the exception of Edward VII and through her long difficult widowhood. During her reign the sun never set on the Empire!!
By Trudie on August 10th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
I’m going to say Elizabeth I as well.
By On The Outside on August 10th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I should just mention that in previous polls, The Greatest Briton was Winston Churchill, and The Greatest Living Briton was HM Queen Elizabeth II.
So, as a nation, we still have our heads on our shoulders.
By John on August 11th, 2007 at 7:15 am
I agree completely, John. The greatest Briton was indeed Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill and there is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth II is the greatest living Briton. As long as the British continue to revere these two marvelous paragons of all that is greatest in the British character and culture, and continue to follow them as excellent role models, Great Britain will always be numbered among the great nations of the world. An example to us all! When Larry and I come to England after he retires, as we wish to do, the thing I want to do most is to go to Churchill Arch in the House of Commons and lay flowers there, if it is permitted, in memory of Sir Winston Churchill.
By Gigi on August 11th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Gigi, if you come at the right time, you will be able to see the Churchill statue at the entrance to the House of Commons chamber, but I doubt you’ll be able to lay flowers. There are very strict rules about these things, especially now with over-the-top security there.
By John on August 11th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Thanks so much for the information, John! Naturally I understand security concerns, as we have very strict rules here in Washington DC in the government buildings and at the Capitol. I am in support of whatever measures are needed to ensure safety for the greatest number of people.
By Gigi on August 11th, 2007 at 10:06 pm