The Decline of Divine Right: The era saw the erosion of the belief that kings ruled by divine sanction. Regicide challenged the idea that monarchs were sacred and inviolable. Rise of Parliamentary and Popular Power: Many regicides occurred during conflicts between monarchs and representative bodies, highlighting a shift towards constitutio

1. The Execution of King Henry VIII’s Minister, Thomas Cromwell (1540) — Prelude to Royal Intrigue While not a king himself, Thomas Cromwell’s fall under Henry VIII’s orders demonstrated how close royal authority and lethal power struggles were. Henry’s reign would later see multiple attempts on nobles and rivals, setting a tone of ruthl

Regicide—the act of killing a king or monarch—has long been one of the most dramatic and consequential events in world history. Over centuries, the killing of a sovereign often served as a catalyst for political upheaval, social transformation, or even the complete restructuring of a nation’s governance. The 350-year period spanning roughly f

Today, historians view Charlemagne as a complex figure — a shrewd politician, skilled military leader, and a ruler who genuinely sought to reform and unify his realm. However, they also recognize the harshness of his methods, especially in dealing with conquered peoples. The making of Charlemagne’s legend reflects how historical memory and m