Get ready for a deep dive into the 10 shocking secrets of Stephen King’s original IT miniseries. From Tim Curry’s backstage antics to the almost‑missed ten‑hour Romero version, we’ve gathered every eerie tidbit that makes the 1990 adaptation a true cult classic.

Shocking Secrets Unveiled

10 Everyone On Set Avoided Tim Curry

At some point we all grew up watching that iconic scene: a kid in a yellow rain slicker chasing a paper boat down a flooded street, only to have the boat disappear into a storm drain… and then, boom—Tim Curry’s Pennywise pops out, grinning like a nightmare come alive. While Curry’s performance scarred a generation of viewers, the actor himself was something of a pariah on set. Crew members kept a respectful distance from his terrifying clown visage, fearing the very thing they were about to unleash on audiences.

9 Tim Curry Originally Turned Down The Role Of Pennywise

Even after cementing his place among horror icons like Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger, Tim Curry wasn’t initially sold on becoming the shape‑shifting clown. He’d just wrapped his turn as the Devil in Ridley Scott’s Legend and wasn’t eager to endure another marathon of prosthetics. Director Tommy Lee Wallace sweetened the deal by promising fewer makeup layers, and Curry finally slipped into the role that would become legendary.

8 The Original Two‑Part Broadcast Was a Smash Hit

ABC worried the horror might flop, but the numbers proved otherwise. When Part 1 aired on November 18, 1990, it earned an 18.5 rating, reaching 17.5 million households. The sequel fared even better—20.6 rating and 19.2 million viewers tuned in for the finale, making it the second‑most‑watched broadcast that night. Clearly, America couldn’t get enough of King’s nightmare on their living‑room screens.

7 Tim Curry Was Not A Fan Of The Ending

Even the man behind the clown wasn’t thrilled with how Part 2 wrapped up. The final half‑hour swapped the terrifying, otherworldly It for a flimsy spider puppet, leaving fans muttering, “What?” Network execs deemed King’s original ritual too cerebral, opting for a cheap slingshot scene instead. Director Wallace had storyboarded a far more ambitious climax, but budget and time constraints forced a disappointing conclusion.

6 Two Of The Miniseries’s Stars Died Tragically In 2003

In a cruel twist of fate, 2003 saw the deaths of two beloved cast members. Jonathan Brandis, who played young Bill Denbrough, took his own life on November 12, 2003. John Ritter, the adult Ben Hanscom, passed away from a heart attack on the set of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter on September 11, 2003. Both actors left a lasting legacy beyond their roles in the miniseries.

5 The Director Didn’t Read The Novel Before Making The Film

Believe it or not, Tommy Lee Wallace hadn’t opened Stephen King’s massive tome before signing on to direct the two‑part adaptation. He relied solely on screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohn’s script and network notes. Years later, after the miniseries aired, Wallace finally read the novel and admitted his version fell short of King’s terrifying vision.

4 IT Was Almost A Ten‑Hour Miniseries Directed By George A. Romero

Before Wallace took the helm, horror legend George A. Romero was slated to direct a sprawling five‑night, ten‑hour adaptation. ABC grew jittery about the novel’s dark themes and slashed the project down to two nights. Displeased with the network’s trimming, Romero walked away, leaving fans to wonder what a full‑length Romero version of IT might have looked like.

3 The Film Premiered The Same Year Bill Skarsgard Was Born

Bill Skarsgard—renowned for his chilling turn as the modern Pennywise—was born on August 9, 1990, just three months before the original miniseries hit the airwaves. One can imagine a young Skarsgard, perhaps nudged by an older sibling, watching the iconic yellow‑rain‑slicker scene that would later define his own career.

2 Roddy McDowall And Malcolm McDowell Were Considered For Pennywise

The casting directors didn’t stop at Tim Curry. They also eyed Roddy McDowall—known from Fright Night—and Malcolm McDowell, the unsettling Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange. While Curry ultimately won the part, it’s fun to imagine how McDowell’s manic energy might have reshaped the clown’s menace.

1 Alice Cooper Was Also Considered For The Role Of Pennywise

Even rock legend Alice Cooper entered the casting conversation. Though it’s unclear how serious the producers were about hiring the shock‑rock icon, the mere idea of Cooper in a clown suit adds an extra layer of macabre intrigue to the film’s behind‑the‑scenes lore.

The 2017 remake of Stephen King’s IT finally hit theaters, but even the R‑rated version left out a handful of the novel’s most unsettling moments. Below we count down the ten disturbing aspects that were sliced from the film, from gruesome murders to twisted teen dynamics.

Disturbing Aspects You Missed in the Film

10 The Death Of Eddie Corcoran

In the movie the Losers’ Club merely mentions a missing kid named Eddie Corcoran, but King’s book drags us into a night‑time nightmare. Eddie ventures out to a Derry park alone, clutching a report card that threatens to expose his stepfather’s cruelty. The darkness is already thick, but the real terror begins when a shadowy figure stalks him.

When Eddie finally reaches the park’s front gate, he trips over a bench, lands in the damp grass, and turns to see the creature that has been hunting him. It’s not the clown Pennywise at all, but a hulking monster straight out of the Black Lagoon. The beast clamps its hands around Eddie’s throat, and the boy convinces himself it can’t hurt him. The horror culminates when the monster rips the boy’s head clean off his shoulders.

Even though that fate is gruesome, the book hints that Eddie’s decision to go to the park alone may have spared him an even worse fate at home, where his younger brother’s story is far more horrifying.

9 Eddie’s Corcoran’s Little Brother

When Eddie wanders into the park, the apparition that haunts him is none other than his own little brother, Dorsey. IT, being a shape‑shifter, takes the form of whatever scares you most. For Eddie, the memory of Dorsey’s brutal death is the ultimate nightmare.

Dorsey was found at the hospital with a fractured skull. The stepfather claimed a ladder accident, but the medical examiner called his story a lie. Evidence showed the child had been beaten nearly to death with a blunt instrument—most likely a hammer—and then dumped at the hospital to die.The stepfather eventually broke down and confessed to the hammer‑blow, saying, “I don’t know what came over me.” When asked if Dorsey said anything before he died, the man recalled the boy whispering, “Stop Daddy, I’m sorry, I love you.” The father’s chilling reply? “Eventually.”

8 Henry Bowers, The Racist

The 2017 film reduces Henry Bowers to a mullet‑wearing bully with a short fuse. King’s novel, however, paints him as a truly vile human antagonist, complete with a litany of racial slurs aimed at his African‑American victim, Mike Hanlon. Young Henry is disturbingly well‑versed in every imaginable epithet designed to wound.

The 1990 miniseries kept two of those slurs on screen, but modern sensibilities have pushed the newer film to omit them entirely. While the omission spares contemporary audiences from the most offensive language, it also softens the picture of just how evil Henry can be.

7 Beverly’s Mother

In Muschietti’s adaptation, Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis) lives with a creepy, predatory father. The book adds another layer of horror: her mother, who witnesses the abuse, turns a blind eye. Instead of stepping in, the mother watches as the father’s lecherous comments and lingering glances become a daily nightmare for Beverly.

The mother’s inaction amplifies the terror because someone who should have protected her daughter is complicit by silence.

6 The Leper

Fans of the movie will remember the grotesque leper that stalks little Eddie near the gates of the Neibolt Street house. The film captures the leper’s repulsive appearance, but King adds a disturbing personality trait: the leper masturbates in his pants while chasing Eddie and repeatedly begs the boy to let him “suck his c—k for a dollar.”

The combination of skin‑crawling sores and a lecherous, pest‑like predator makes this character one of the book’s most unsettling creations.

5 Henry And Patrick

In the film, Patrick Hockstetter is a pyromaniac with little depth. In the novel, he’s a far darker presence, and his interactions with Henry Bowers get truly unsettling. Beverly wanders into the town junkyard, expecting a slingshot‑filled afternoon. Instead, she discovers Henry and Patrick huddled together, their pants down, lighting farts—an odd, juvenile act that quickly turns menacing.

When the other bullies depart, Patrick starts to sexually molest Henry. Henry initially seems to go along, but then violently rejects Patrick, berating him for his “homosexual impulses.” The scene blurs the line between teenage cruelty and outright sexual violence, leaving Beverly to wonder how quickly the boys might assault her if she were caught.

4 The Death Of Patrick Hockstetter

Patrick’s comeuppance is as bizarre as his crimes. After Henry storms out of the junkyard, Beverly follows Patrick into the woods where he keeps an old, busted‑up refrigerator. Inside, he discovers… flying slugs. These insects have long, mosquito‑like proboscises that pierce skin and suck blood.

One slug latches onto Patrick’s arm, filling it with blood. Another darts onto his face, pierces his closed eyelid, and drains his eye fluids. As he screams, a third creature flies into his open mouth, sucking the gunk from his tongue, forcing him to swallow it. The grotesque tableau ends with Pennywise dragging the still‑living Patrick into the sewers for a final feast.

3 Patrick Hockstetter’s Pets

Patrick’s cruelty extends to animals. Early in the novel, he’s known for trapping flies in his pencil box. Later, he discovers a forgotten refrigerator deep in the woods and begins stuffing it with pets—a puppy, a kitten, and progressively more neighborhood critters.

The sequence is deliberately omitted in most readings because of its sheer brutality. It hints that Pennywise may be grooming Patrick to become a kind of junior horror‑agent, mirroring the clown’s habit of making children disappear.

2 Patrick Hockstetter’s Baby Brother

Patrick grows up as an only child, keeping his dark impulses in check. When his parents welcome a second child, his behavior spirals into truly horrific territory. One stormy afternoon, after his school bus drops him off, Patrick sneaks into his baby brother’s room while the mother naps nearby.

He methodically murders the infant, taking several attempts before succeeding. The father later uncovers the truth but deliberately chooses to bury the secret, never revealing the atrocity.

1 Love And Desire

This is the most controversial cut of all. In the novel, after the Losers’ Club defeats Pennywise in his lair, they find themselves lost in a pitch‑black tunnel beneath Derry. With no light, they risk perishing.

Beverly proposes a radical solution: she takes each of the six boys to a secluded corner of the sewer and has sex with them, one after another. King describes the scene in explicit detail, calling it “Love & Desire.” The bizarre act somehow re‑energizes the group, allowing them to navigate the darkness and emerge back into the world.

Whether you view the chapter as a twisted expression of childhood intimacy or as an exploitative shock, it remains one of the most disturbing—and omitted—moments from the film.

When it comes to royalty, the 10 weirdest ways they met their end are anything but ordinary. From exploding artillery to accidental fires, monarchs have faced some truly strange fates. Below, we count down the most curious deaths that proved even crowns can’t shield you from a bizarre finale.

10 Weirdest Ways

10 King James II Of Scotland

James II reigned over Scotland for twenty‑three years, from 1437 until 1460, and his rule is generally remembered in a favorable light. He founded the University of Glasgow and earned popularity, yet he also committed darker deeds, such as the murder of the Earl of Douglas, showing a readiness to eliminate anyone who threatened his power.

Although the Scottish War of Independence had concluded by the 15th century, certain border zones remained under English control. One such stronghold was Roxburgh Castle. Believing he could reclaim the fortress while English forces were distracted by the Wars of the Roses, James made a fatal miscalculation.

The king met his demise when a cannon exploded during the siege. At first glance, a cannon‑related death seems straightforward—after all, cannons are built to kill. The twist? It was one of his very own pieces of artillery.

A devoted enthusiast of gunpowder, James imported cannons from Flanders and was eager to witness them in action. While standing beside one during a test, the weapon malfunctioned and burst, shattering his thigh bone in two. 16th‑century Scottish chronicler Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie recorded the incident: “The king stood near a piece of artillery. His thigh bone was dug in two with a piece of misframed gun that brake in shooting, by which he was stricken to the ground and died hastily.”

9 King Charles VIII Of France

Charles VIII, nicknamed “the Affable,” ruled France for fifteen years between 1483 and 1498. Ascending the throne at just thirteen, his elder sister Anne and her husband, the Duke of Bourbon, acted as regents for half of his reign.

His time on the throne was relatively uneventful. As one might expect from a teenage monarch, Charles showed little enthusiasm for statecraft, focusing instead on diplomatic concessions that improved relations with neighboring Italian states.

The most dramatic episode of his life occurred during a tennis match. Although he was not playing himself, Charles attended a game at Amboise and failed to notice a low doorway. He walked straight into the lintel, striking his head.

Initially, he seemed to recover, but the injury later induced a coma. He lingered for a few hours before succumbing to the trauma, making his death one of the most unusual among French monarchs.

8 Empress Elisabeth Of Austria

Before her assassination, Elisabeth—better known as “Sisi”—enjoyed one of the longest reigns in Austrian history. As the consort of Emperor Franz Joseph I, she served as Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary for forty‑four years.

Her life ended on September 10, 1898, when an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni stabbed her in the heart. Lucheni claimed he had no personal grudge against Elisabeth; his true target had been Prince Philippe, Duke of Orleans.

Arriving in Geneva too late to reach his intended victim, Lucheni seized the next opportunity—Elisabeth herself. He located the hotel where she was staying, waited for her to exit, and then delivered a fatal thrust to her chest.

After the murder, Lucheni turned himself in, proudly demanding to be extradited to Italy for a public execution that would render him a martyr. The authorities denied his request, and he later hanged himself while in custody.

7 King Alexander Of Greece

We’re not talking about Alexander the Great, but rather the early‑20th‑century King Alexander of Greece. His reign lasted only three years, ending tragically at the age of twenty‑seven after a seemingly innocuous encounter with a pet monkey.

While walking his dog, Alexander witnessed a scuffle between his dog and a Barbary macaque that lived in the palace. He intervened, and the monkey responded by sinking its teeth into his flesh.

Initially, the bite appeared minor, and physicians cleaned and dressed the wound. Alexander asked that the incident be forgotten, though the monkey was subsequently put down.

Unfortunately, the wound became infected due to inadequate cleaning. The resulting sepsis left the king bedridden, and despite a prolonged three‑week struggle, he succumbed on October 25, 1920. Some historians suggest that amputation might have saved his life, but his doctors hesitated to take such drastic action.

6 Prince Sado

In the late 18th century, King Yeongjo of Joseon ruled Korea for over half a century, implementing tax reforms and striving for factional peace through Confucian ideals. Yet his legacy is largely defined by the fate of his son, Prince Sado.

Prince Sado was notorious for his instability, violent outbursts, and heinous crimes, including the murder and assault of servants and court women. His behavior became so extreme that his father, King Yeongjo, could no longer tolerate his potential succession.

Legally, Yeongjo could not execute his son, but he could depose him with his mother’s consent. After doing so, he ordered Sado to be confined within a massive rice chest—a wooden box used for grain storage.

The prince remained sealed inside for eight days, eventually dying of suffocation. This grim method of execution cemented Prince Sado’s place in history as one of the most tragic royal figures.

5 King Ludwig II Of Bavaria

Ludwig II, often dubbed the “Mad King,” devoted himself to the arts rather than politics, even as Prussia threatened his kingdom. He poured his wealth into building extravagant castles that served as performance venues for his favorite composer, Richard Wagner.

To finance his lavish projects, Ludwig borrowed heavily from foreign banks. When creditors threatened to seize his assets, he simply ignored them, hoping they would disappear. This obstinacy eventually led his government to declare him insane in 1886.

Following the declaration, Ludwig was to be interned at Berg Palace near Lake Starnberg. However, just days later, both he and his physician were found dead under mysterious circumstances.

The official verdict labeled the incident a suicide: Ludwig allegedly murdered his doctor and then drowned himself. Yet numerous conspiracy theories have arisen, pointing to inconsistencies such as the presence of two bullet holes in his coat—a garment that later resurfaced with various owners, further fueling speculation.

4 Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I

Frederick I, better known as Frederick Barbarossa, was crowned King of Germany in 1152, later becoming King of Italy and finally Holy Roman Emperor in 1155. His thirty‑five‑year reign is most remembered for his participation in the Crusades.

During the Third Crusade in 1190, Frederick led his German troops toward Turkey to confront Saladin. However, his campaign never reached the battlefield.

When his army arrived at the Goksu River—then called Saleph—his advisors urged him to locate a bridge for a safe crossing. Frederick, confident in his own strength, insisted the river could be crossed on horseback.

He plunged into the turbulent waters first, but his horse was swept away by the currents. Wearing heavy armor, Frederick could not swim, and both he and his mount drowned, ending his crusading ambitions in a tragic river accident.

3 Frederick, Prince of Wales

Frederick, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, never ascended to the British throne, dying before his father. His relationship with his parents was strained; both George II and his mother, Queen Caroline, harbored a deep dislike for him.

Frederick devoted much of his time to leisure pursuits, especially cricket, a passion that ultimately led to his untimely demise.

In 1751, at the age of forty‑four, he suffered a burst abscess—reportedly caused by a cricket ball striking him during a match. The infection proved fatal, and he died nine years before his father, adding his name to a lineage of royals with bizarre deaths.

2 Queen Caroline Of Ansbach

Frederick’s mother, Queen Caroline, endured a gruesome and highly unusual death. In her later years, she became considerably overweight and suffered from severe gout, often being carried around the palace in an ornate wheelchair.

Complications arose after the birth of her youngest child, leading to a strangulated hernia. One day, the pain intensified to the point where she could no longer move, and her womb ruptured, causing internal bleeding.

On November 20, 1737, the resulting hemorrhage caused her bowels to burst open, leading to a painful and public death. The tragedy was immortalized in a famous epigram, frequently attributed to Alexander Pope, which reads: “Here lies, wrapt up in forty thousand towels / The only proof that Caroline had bowels.”

1 King Charles II Of Navarre

Charles II ruled the kingdom of Navarre from 1343 to 1387, earning the nickname “the Bad” for his opportunistic shifting of allegiances during the Hundred Years’ War.

His death is often portrayed as divine retribution. According to 18th‑century English author Francis Blagdon, Charles fell gravely ill and his physician ordered him to be completely wrapped from head to toe in linen soaked in brandy.

When the attendant finished stitching the cloth tightly, she needed to cut the remaining thread. To avoid using scissors in the darkness—fearing she might accidentally cut the king—she chose to burn the thread with a candle. The brandy‑soaked linen ignited, causing the monarch to be engulfed in flames.

This fiery end cemented Charles’s reputation as a ruler whose demise matched his notorious reputation.

When you think of monarchs, you probably picture gilded thrones, grand ceremonies, and endless state business. Yet, behind the regal façade, many kings pursued hobbies that would raise eyebrows even today. In this roundup of 10 kings weird pursuits, we explore how these sovereigns slipped into surprising pastimes while juggling the weight of empire.

10 Edward II—Digging

Edward II may rank among England’s most reviled monarchs, yet early in his reign he enjoyed genuine popularity. Described as tall, muscular, and sporting long brown hair, he could command Parliament with charisma when he chose. Medieval expectations, however, demanded that a king indulge in arts, feasting, and politics. Edward bucked this trend, favoring practical pursuits: swimming, sailing, fishing, architecture, and—most notably—digging ditches. Contemporary chroniclers noted his habit of abandoning political duties to join peasants on the River Thames or to supervise house construction. On a scorching summer day, he even leapt into a ditch beside laborers to help them dig, impressing the workers while scandalizing courtiers who saw such humility as unbecoming of a king.

His two‑decade reign was riddled with conflict against both his court and Parliament, with barons repeatedly curbing his authority. Ultimately, Edward reclaimed power through civil war, ruling with an iron fist until a coalition of his wife and a knight invaded, toppling his regime.

9 Abdulhamid II—Woodworking

The Ottoman Empire’s final absolute ruler, Abdulhamid II, left a controversial legacy. Early in his reign he championed progressive reforms, yet later he dissolved parliament, reinstated conservatism, and oversaw brutal repression, including the Armenian massacres. A lesser‑known facet of his personality emerges from his daughter’s memoirs: plagued by insomnia, he preferred being read to at night. To combat sleeplessness, he shunned provocative books, fearing they would keep his mind active. Instead, he turned to carpentry, crafting furniture for his private chambers as a therapeutic outlet.

Beyond woodworking, Abdulhamid was an avid reader of detective fiction. Though the first Turkish translations of Sherlock Holmes appeared in 1908, the sultan had already secured earlier translations via a court scribe, amassing a sizable collection. When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle visited Turkey, Abdulhamid honored him with the Order of the Medjidie, acknowledging his literary contributions.

8 Friedrich Wilhelm I—Tall Soldiers

Prussia’s famed “Soldier King,” Friedrich Wilhelm I, was a master administrator who fortified the state’s finances and bureaucracy, leaving a legacy of stability and wealth. Yet his private obsession was the creation of the “Potsdam Giants,” an elite corps composed solely of extraordinarily tall men. These giants received premium uniforms, superior lodgings, and salaries scaled to their height, with the tallest earning the most. Friedrich went so far as to kidnap unusually tall individuals and press‑gang them into service, while foreign diplomats sometimes sent towering envoys as diplomatic gifts.

His fixation grew to the point where, during bouts of melancholy, he would have the giants parade before him—occasionally even in his bedroom when he was ill. He painted vivid portraits of these soldiers from memory and later experimented with breeding strategies, pairing tall men with tall women, and even employing stretching racks to increase stature.

7 Olaf Tryggvason—Juggling Knives

Viking society prized martial prowess, and its kings were expected to excel in athletics. Olaf Tryggvason, a legendary Viking ruler, embodied this ideal with a suite of daring hobbies. He was an accomplished rock climber, famously scaling the Smalsarhorn and planting his shield atop the summit. When a follower became stranded mid‑ascent, Olaf rescued him single‑handedly, hoisting the man back to safety with one arm.

Olaf also mastered “walking the oars,” a feat of balance performed aboard a moving ship. His most eye‑catching talent, however, was his ability to juggle three knives, keeping one perpetually airborne while catching each by the hilt. This dexterity translated to battlefield advantage, allowing him to wield weapons in both hands and hurl two spears simultaneously.

6 Louis XVI—Locksmithing

Louis XVI, remembered as the last French monarch before the Revolution and the sole king to be beheaded, is often caricatured as an aloof aristocrat. In reality, he was a gentle, well‑read man with a keen interest in engineering and the mechanical arts. He contributed to naval reforms and, unlike many of his contemporaries, never took a mistress. He also showed concern for the French poor, even lifting restrictions on bread prices to make food more affordable.

Behind the palace doors, however, Louis pursued a surprising pastime: locksmithing. Fascinated by locks of every complexity, he surrounded himself with both simple mechanisms and intricate, secretive devices. Believing that every gentleman should master a manual craft, he secretly received instruction from the court blacksmith. He installed a private workshop above his library, complete with anvils, where he honed his skill. When word of his hobby leaked, the press mocked him, viewing the married king’s fascination with locks as scandalous.

5 Henry VII—Tennis

Henry VII is often remembered as a dour, serious monarch who reshaped England’s finances and trade, earning admiration from modern politicians like George Osborne. Rarely smiling, he devoted long hours to paperwork, ensuring the kingdom’s prosperity after seizing it by sword. Fluent in several languages and a skilled writer, he valued justice above all.

Despite his stern reputation, Henry shared a love of tennis with his son, Henry VIII. While tennis had been introduced to England by Henry V, it remained a niche pastime during Henry VII’s reign. Undeterred, he commissioned six tennis courts across the realm, including one at Westminster. His enthusiasm helped popularize the sport among the nobility, and even after his playing days waned, he continued to watch matches and place bets, losing £20 between 1493 and 1499—a sum exceeding the lifetime earnings of many commoners.

4 George III—Agriculture

George III, often labeled “Mad King George,” ruled Great Britain for over fifty years. Though his later years were marred by mental illness, he was largely a sane and effective monarch. He possessed an extensive collection of scientific instruments, many of which survive in museums, and he funded the construction of the era’s largest telescope. Contrary to the popular myth of a tyrant, his involvement in the American Revolution stemmed from a desire to protect Parliament’s right to levy taxes, not personal ambition.

Before his mental decline, George earned the affectionate nickname “Farmer George.” He was deeply invested in agriculture, authoring papers, annotating books, and corresponding regularly with farmers nationwide. His enthusiasm coincided with the Agricultural Revolution, boosting rural populations and setting the stage for the Industrial Revolution.

3 George V—Stamps

Modern British royalty is known for relatively ordinary hobbies: bingo, mystery novels, and equestrian pursuits. George V, however, cultivated a passion that set him apart—stamp collecting. Beginning as a young prince, he continued his philatelic pursuits throughout his reign, even amidst the turmoil of World War I. His collection eventually comprised 328 albums, each containing 60 pages—nearly 20,000 pages of stamps.

This dedication earned him the moniker “The King of Philately.” He served as vice‑president of the Royal Philatelic Society of London from 1893 onward. In 1905, while still a prince, he set a record by spending £1,450 (approximately $220,000 today) on a single stamp, proudly acknowledging his extravagance when a courtier remarked on the purchase.

2 Farouk—Collecting Everything

King Farouk, Egypt’s final monarch, epitomized excess. He indulged in lavish feasting, high‑octane car racing—painting his Cadillacs red so police would know not to stop him—and kept palace lights blazing during wartime blackouts. His reign was riddled with corruption, while his people suffered poverty. The army eventually ousted him in 1952, prompting a massive effort to inventory his possessions.

Farouk’s hoarding knew no bounds. He amassed thousands of silk shirts, an entire fleet of Cadillacs, and fifty diamond‑encrusted golden walking sticks. His taste for French Baroque furniture earned him the nickname “Louis‑Farouk.” His coin collection, boasting over 8,500 pieces—including the 1933 $20 gold double eagle and all five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels—was among the world’s most valuable.

Perhaps most shocking was his pornography trove: hundreds of thousands of semi‑nude photographs discovered beneath his pillow. When confronted, Farouk dismissed the accusations, insisting the images were classical art.

1 Edward VIII—Flying

Edward VIII’s brief, uncrowned reign is infamous for his abdication over a marriage to Wallis Simpson, a twice‑divorced American. His tenure was also marred by rumors of Nazi sympathies and a general disdain for governmental protocol. Yet, beyond the political drama, Edward harbored a fervent love of aviation. He became the first royal to fly himself to a public engagement and secured a pilot’s license, despite his father George V’s attempts to forbid him from taking to the skies.

Edward’s reckless approach to flying culminated in a daring plan to flee Britain by airplane, even reserving a hotel abroad. British intelligence intervened just before the aircraft could take off, forcing his abdication before he could escape.

These ten monarchs prove that behind the crown and coronet, kings often pursued passions that were anything but regal. From digging ditches to soaring above the clouds, their odd hobbies remind us that even the most powerful humans have quirky sides.

When you think of the most bone‑chilling destinations on the planet, the phrase “top 10 places” instantly springs to mind. Below we count down ten real‑world locales that would give Stephen King’s fictional Maine a run for its money, each with its own unsettling history and paranormal reputation.

1 Hotel of the Undead

Among the top 10 places that send shivers down a spine, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel stands out like a classic horror novel. Legend tells of a bride who plummeted down a grand staircase in 1920, meeting an untimely death. Her spirit never left the marble halls; she appears in a flowing veil and wedding dress, sometimes with the back of her gown flickering like flames, drifting through corridors to unsettle unsuspecting guests.

Room 873 holds a darker tale: a desperate father allegedly murdered his wife and young daughter within those walls, creating a vortex of lingering screams and blood‑stained fingerprints that refuse to wash away. The hotel eventually sealed the room, yet visitors report the faint outline of a child’s silhouette appearing on the once‑closed doorway, and night‑time cries echoing from the sealed chamber.

Another eerie resident roams the hotel’s grand ballroom: a headless man, yet oddly adept at playing the bagpipes. Though lacking a skull, his mournful tunes drift through the stone corridors, startling guests who hear the phantom melody without ever seeing the source.

2 Wandering Ghosts

Europe’s centuries‑old cobblestones and towering cathedrals make it a natural playground for the supernatural, and it proudly earns its spot among the top 10 places for ghostly encounters. From haunted Victorian cemeteries to whispered tales of Jack the Ripper, the continent is a veritable museum of macabre legend.

At Zvíkov Castle in the Czech Republic, an apparition once haunted the fortress until 1597. Even after the spirit faded, strange phenomena persisted: livestock acting erratically, sudden, inexplicable fires, and a chilling prophecy that anyone who sleeps in the main tower meets their end within a year.

Further west, France’s Château de Brissac shelters the wandering specter known as La Dame Verte. Murdered by a jealous husband, she now glides through the corridors in a flowing green dress, her eyes and nose reduced to hollow voids. Visitors report hearing her mournful sighs echo through the halls, while the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo preserve the eerily preserved corpse of two‑year‑old Rosalia Lombardo, whose glass‑encased remains appear so lifelike that some swear she blinks.

3 Spirits of the Land Down Under

Australia’s wild landscapes are famous for sharks, spiders, and snakes, but the nation also boasts a roster of restless spirits that claim a place among the top 10 places for paranormal activity. From abandoned asylums to haunted railway tunnels, the Aussie outback is rife with lingering echoes of the past.

The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum is said to be haunted by an 80‑year‑old man who tugs at visitors’ clothing, while a young girl’s mournful mutterings drift through the corridors, her words forever indecipherable. At the Old Adelaide Gaol, the spirit of hangman Ben Ellis wanders, seeking redemption for a prisoner who hung for a torturous 22 minutes before dying. Meanwhile, Monte Cristo Homestead’s rattling chains announce the presence of Harold, a mentally ill patient chained to a bed for four decades.

Australia’s most haunted town, Picton, hides the Redback Range Railway tunnel, a dark artery where numerous suicides and a 1916 train accident claimed a young girl’s life. Her ghost is said to glide through the tunnel, accompanied by sudden apparitions of children, flickering white lights, and an unsettling sense of being watched.

4 Fear and Trepidation in the Woods

Japan dazzles travelers with Mount Fuji, serene Shinto shrines, and blossom‑laden landscapes, yet it also serves as a breeding ground for spine‑tingling urban legends, earning its spot among the top 10 places for eerie encounters. One such legend centers on the Round Schoolhouse ruin in Bibai, Hokkaido.

Constructed in 1959 for the children of nearby coal miners, the circular school was abandoned in 1974 when mining shifted overseas. The rusted desks and chalkboards remain, and daring ghost‑hunters report blood‑curdling screams echoing after dark, as shadowy figures leap from the surrounding trees to attack unsuspecting intruders.

Locals whisper that anyone who dares step inside emerges not only traumatized but utterly deranged, their sanity shattered. Mediums refuse to approach the site, fearing it serves as an interdimensional portal that drags the living into a realm of perpetual terror.

These chilling reports have cemented the Round Schoolhouse’s reputation as one of Japan’s most unsettling locations, a place where history and horror intertwine beneath the cherry blossoms.

5 Ghosts of History

Antarctica may be the coldest continent on Earth, but it certainly isn’t devoid of spectral activity, securing its place among the top 10 places where the dead refuse to stay buried. While the icy expanse repels most life, the lingering spirits of explorers and scientists persist.

Sir Edmund Hillary once claimed to have glimpsed Sir Ernest Shackleton’s phantom in an abandoned hut during a 1958 expedition. The eerie encounter sparked tales of restless explorers roaming the frozen wasteland, forever bound to the very ice that claimed them.

Tragedy struck again in 1979 when a tourist‑filled plane crashed into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 aboard. The victims’ remains were reportedly stored at McMurdo Station, an American research base on Ross Island. Since then, visitors have heard disembodied voices, and witnessed footprints that abruptly vanish, suggesting that the mountain itself guards the souls of the departed.

Adding to the mystique, radar surveys have uncovered “ghost mountains” hidden beneath four meters of ice—peaks never seen by human eyes, their presence a chilling reminder that even the planet’s most remote corners hold secrets.

6 Leave the Stones Alone

Sweden gifts the world with ABBA, Avicii, and sleek design, yet it also houses some of the most unsettling folklore, earning its position among the top 10 places for paranormal intrigue. The country’s silver train, known as Silverpilen, is a prime example.

Those who board the ghostly silver locomotive are said to be whisked away to an abandoned station deep within a forest, never to return. The train’s spectral route is a cautionary tale whispered among commuters, warning travelers never to step onto its glittering rails.

Beyond the phantom train, Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old Town) holds a gruesome tradition. Each November, the cobblestones of the main square appear to run with blood, reenacting the 1520 Stockholm Bloodbath where 92 nobles were beheaded or hanged for opposing Danish rule. A nearby red building incorporates 92 white stones, each representing a fallen noble. Legend warns that removing any stone summons the spirit of its owner, who will haunt the city forever. To this day, every stone remains untouched, preserving the uneasy peace.

7 Don’t Go In There!

Russia’s vast landscapes span from breathtaking architecture to eerie, abandoned sites, solidifying its spot among the top 10 places for spooky tourism. Among its haunted landmarks, the Kusovnikov House in Moscow tells a tale of a hunched old man wandering the streets, mourning lost wealth.

Further north, the Mikhailovsky Castle hosts the lingering echo of Tsar Pavel I, who allegedly continues to play the violin by a particular window, his mournful notes drifting through the night. Yet perhaps the most unsettling locale is the Rotonda, an 18th‑century circular hall once rumored to host Freemason gatherings before becoming a musical hotspot in the 1970s and ’80s.

According to local lore, scribbling a heartfelt wish on the graffiti‑covered walls grants it—at a terrible price. The basement, however, is strictly forbidden: those who enter alone either return years older or descend into madness, making the Rotonda a chilling reminder of the thin line between desire and doom.

8 New Zealand’s Spookiest Spots

New Zealand’s dramatic scenery attracts adventurers worldwide, yet it also shelters a collection of eerie locations that merit inclusion among the top 10 places for ghostly experiences. The Waitomo Caves Hotel, for instance, is famed for blood‑dripping bathtubs and apparitions that glide through solid walls.

Those seeking a more clinical chill can tour the decaying Kingseat Psychiatric Hospital, where temperatures inexplicably plunge, furniture moves on its own, and doorbells ring without a human hand. The unsettling atmosphere has cemented its reputation as a hotspot for paranormal investigators.

Adding to the nation’s haunted roster is Camp Adair in Hunua, established in 1913. While the site hosts retreats and sports teams, a dark legend persists: a red‑haired teacher allegedly murdered a group of children in the School House Building. Modern visitors claim to see the specter of a red‑headed man peering through windows, a lingering reminder of the tragedy.

9 The Horror of Real Filipe

South America dazzles with Angel Falls, Machu Picchu, and vibrant culture, yet it also boasts some of the world’s most terrifying sites, earning a place among the top 10 places for dread‑filled travel. The Real Filipe Fortress in Lima, a narrow U‑shaped stronghold, once imprisoned inmates forced to stand for the entirety of their confinement.

Before reaching their grim destination, prisoners endured corridors where boiling water was hurled from above, forcing them to dodge lethal torrents. Many perished after enduring two months of unrelenting torment within the fortress’s stone walls.

Today, the fortress’s horror has shifted from physical to spectral. Visitors report pale, long‑haired apparitions drifting across the drawbridge, grim soldiers leaping to their deaths, and demonic children lurking in the narrow passageways, turning the ancient stronghold into a chilling reminder of its violent past.

10 Terror in O’ahu

O’ahu, the third‑largest Hawaiian island, dazzles with Waikiki’s surf, historic Pearl Harbor, and the pristine Lanikai Beach—making it a top destination in the world. Yet, as night falls, the island’s serene façade gives way to unsettling hauntings, securing its spot among the top 10 places for paranormal intrigue.

One of the island’s most eerie legends centers on the 16th Avenue Bridge in Kaimuki. Locals speak of a small, icy hand that reaches for unsuspecting passersby after dark, believed to belong to a little girl who died in a hit‑and‑run accident on that very bridge. Her lingering spirit is said to search for someone to guide her home.

Further unsettling encounters occur at the Old Waialae Drive‑In Theater. Patrons have reported a ghostly woman rattling and pounding on toilet stall doors. When a terrified individual finally opened a stall, a faceless, footless apparition in a long dress hovered inches away, sending chills down spines and cementing the theater’s reputation as a hotspot for restless souls.

Why These Are Among the Top 10 Places

Each location on this list combines rich history with chilling folklore, proving that reality can be far scarier than any fictional tale. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just love a good scare, these ten spots guarantee an unforgettable, spine‑tingling adventure.

For the Vikings, a name spoken in the mead‑hall outlived any treasure chest. Their reputation was the ultimate currency, and every saga‑telling skald sang of daring voyages, brutal raids, and shrewd state‑building. In this spirit we celebrate the ten most unforgettable Viking monarchs, whose deeds still echo across the centuries – the very essence of the 10 viking kings who left indelible marks on Europe.

10 Viking Kings: Legendary Leaders and Their Epic Exploits

10 Harald Fairhair, The First King Of Norway

Any recounting of Viking greatness would be incomplete without the name of Harald Fairhair, the man traditionally credited with uniting Norway. While the sagas inflate his legend, modern scholars agree that a real Harald did exist, likely a regional chieftain in southwestern Norway who managed to bring a host of neighboring petty rulers under his sway, laying the foundations for the nation we know today.

The pivotal moment in Harald’s ascent was the Battle of Hafrsfjord, dated somewhere between 870 and 900 CE. This massive clash involved many of the era’s minor kings, and according to contemporary accounts the only opponent named was Kjovte the Rich, who fled after Harald’s decisive victory, leaving his forces to be cut down. The battlefield is commemorated today by the iconic Swords in Rock monument – three towering 10‑metre (33‑foot) swords that symbolize Harald and the defeated chieftains.

After securing Hafrsfjord, Harald consolidated his power, creating a dominant Norwegian bloc that would later evolve into the Kingdom of Norway. His legacy endured through his successors, who continued to press influence over neighboring lands, shaping a realm that still exists in modern times.

9 Rurik, The Founder Of Russia

The Rurikid dynasty stands as one of humanity’s longest‑lasting royal lines, governing the lands of Russia from the Viking Age right up to the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Its origin traces back to a single Norse adventurer named Rurik, who, according to the Primary Chronicle compiled in 1113, was invited by Slavic tribes in what is now Ukraine and Russia to bring order to their chaotic societies.

The chronicle tells how Rurik arrived with his two brothers, only to outlive them as they perished shortly after the settlement began. A Varangian by birth—a member of the elite Norse guards serving the Byzantine emperor—Rurik commanded respect and brought a martial discipline that would shape the nascent state.

Archaeological finds, from Scandinavian blacksmith tools to Odinist symbols, confirm a strong Norse presence in the region. Even the famed Arab traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan described encounters with Rus Vikings. Rurik’s establishment of a modest kingdom eventually blossomed into a dynastic empire that persisted until 1612, an achievement that underscores the far‑reaching impact of this Viking founder.

8 Eric Bloodaxe, The Last King Of Northumbria

Most people recognize the name Eric Bloodaxe as the final Viking ruler of Northumbria, yet the story behind his fearsome nickname is often misunderstood. The term “blood” in his epithet likely alludes to kinship rather than sheer carnage, suggesting a meaning akin to “brother‑axe” or “family‑axe.” This interpretation aligns with the brutal reality that Eric eliminated five of his own brothers to secure the Norwegian throne.

After a brief and tumultuous reign in Norway, Eric was ousted by his last surviving brother and fled across the North Sea. He found a more welcoming arena in the British Isles, where he swiftly asserted control over Northumbria, ruling without opposition until his death in 954.

Eric’s career illustrates the volatile nature of Viking politics: a ruthless quest for power at home, followed by opportunistic conquest abroad, cementing his place among the most notorious of the 10 viking kings.

7 Sictric Caech And The Battle Of Islandbridge

The Viking imprint on Ireland is undeniable; the city of Dublin itself was a Norse foundation designed as a hub for trade and, regrettably, slave‑raiding. By 902, a coalition of Irish kings expelled the Norse from Dublin, and one of those expelled warriors was Sictric Caech.

Initially, Sictric carved out a modest realm within the Danelaw, but as Anglo‑Saxon forces reclaimed most of that territory by 918, he turned his attention back to Ireland. Leading a fresh Viking force, he secured early victories and established a foothold, yet the conflict remained unresolved.

The decisive clash unfolded at Islandbridge in 919, where High King Niall Glúndub marshaled a united Irish front. Sictric’s forces dealt a crushing blow, slaying five Irish kings—including the High King himself. He reigned over Dublin for three more years before voluntarily returning to England, leaving a legacy of fierce resistance and tactical brilliance.

6 Sweyn Forkbeard And The Conquest Of England

Sweyn Forkbeard earned a brief but historic crown as the first Viking monarch of all England in 1013, although his reign lasted a mere five weeks before his untimely death prevented a formal coronation. What makes Sweyn truly remarkable is the motive behind his audacious invasion.

By the early 11th century, Vikings had been present in England for nearly two centuries, yet they never fully conquered the realm. The Danelaw—an area of northeastern England—had been lost after Eric Bloodaxe’s fall in 954. When King Æthelred the Unready ordered a mass purge of Viking settlers in 1002, Sweyn saw an opportunity for vengeance.

He launched a series of raids, first in 1003, forcing Æthelred to pay an enormous silver tribute to halt the devastation. A decade later, Sweyn returned with a massive army, landing in Kent, marching toward London, and prompting the English earls to depose Æthelred in favor of Sweyn. Though his rule was short‑lived, it set the stage for the more enduring Viking presence that followed.

5 King Cnut And The North Sea Empire

After Sweyn’s death, his son Cnut inherited the command of the Viking forces still active in England. When the English nobles reinstated Æthelred, Cnut retreated to Denmark to regroup and raise a far larger army, even soliciting troops from his own brother, the Danish king, as well as Poles, Swedes, and Norwegians eager for loot.

In 1015, Cnut landed in Wessex with roughly ten thousand men, sweeping across the country from Cornwall to Northumbria. His decisive victory at the Battle of Assandun (modern‑day Ashington) forced the English king Edmund Ironside into a stalemate, after which Cnut secured the English crown.

By 1018, Cnut also claimed the Danish throne, and in 1028 he added Norway after years of conflict. His rule spanned three kingdoms, forging a North Sea Empire that made him one of Europe’s most powerful rulers. Though his empire fragmented after his death, Cnut’s diplomatic skill—maintaining English allies on his council and fostering ties with the papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor—cemented his legacy among the 10 viking kings.

4 Harald Bluetooth’s Ring Fortresses

Before Cnut and Sweyn could dominate the British Isles, someone first had to turn Denmark into a centralized powerhouse capable of such feats. That visionary was Harald Bluetooth, Sweyn’s father, whose thirty‑year reign reshaped Denmark from a peripheral realm into a formidable medieval state.

Harald’s most tangible legacy lies in his network of Trelleborg ring forts, uniformly designed with four gates aligned to the cardinal points, a high surrounding wall, a protective ditch, and a central courtyard housing administrative buildings. These forts—strategically positioned near the coast yet safely inland—served both as tax collection hubs and mustering points for the king’s army, laying the groundwork for his descendants’ later conquests.

The precise siting of each fortress reflected Harald’s keen eye for defense and control, linking sea routes with inland pathways to maximize visibility and authority. Ironically, despite these achievements, Harald’s reign ended when his own son Sweyn forced him from power, underscoring the relentless familial rivalry that defined many of the 10 viking kings.

3 Harald Hardrada And The Destruction Of Heidaby

Harald Hardrada, known as “Hard‑Ruler,” is famed as one of the last Viking kings to challenge England, meeting his end at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. Yet his career spanned three decades of daring exploits across Europe, from Norway to Sicily and the Holy Land.

One of his most notorious feats was the razing of Heidaby, a bustling Norse trade hub at the base of Jutland that had flourished since the late 8th century. Seeking to subjugate Denmark, Harald launched a coastal raid, and when Heidaby refused to submit, he ordered his fleet to drive flaming ships into its harbor. The resulting blaze engulfed the town, a destruction so total that contemporary chronicler Snorri Sturluson recorded his men singing, “All Heidaby is burned down! Strangers will ask where stood the town….”

The town never recovered; it eventually vanished after a Slavic raid in 1066. Harald’s scorched‑earth tactic at Heidaby illustrates the fierce, sometimes ruthless, methods employed by the 10 viking kings in pursuit of dominance.

2 Sweyn II Of Denmark And The Last Viking Invasion Of England

The death of Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge is traditionally viewed as the close of the Viking Age, yet the saga continued with Sweyn II of Denmark, who mounted what became the final Viking attempt to seize England.

After William the Conqueror’s 1066 victory, the displaced Godwin family persisted in raiding from the sea. In 1069, Sweyn II chose to back an Anglo‑Saxon pretender, perhaps motivated by a rivalry with his late cousin Hardrada, who had failed to capture England. Sweyn’s forces succeeded in taking a substantial portion of northern England, challenging William’s new regime.

However, when William offered Sweyn a generous sum to withdraw, the Viking king accepted, abandoning his allies and allowing the Norman hold on England to solidify. This episode marked the end of any realistic Viking ambition to rule England, closing the chapter on the 10 viking kings’ incursions.

1 Olaf III, The Last Viking King

Our list concludes with Olaf III, known as Olaf the Peaceful, who many regard as the true final Viking king. Unlike his war‑loving predecessors, Olaf focused on statecraft, steering Norway toward a more European, bureaucratic model.

Olaf’s upbringing was undoubtedly shaped by his father Harald Hardrada’s ill‑fated English campaign of 1066. While Harald perished on the battlefield, Olaf stayed with the fleet, later championing peace during his own reign. Norway experienced a quarter‑century of tranquility, a stark contrast to his father’s relentless warfare.

During his rule, Olaf aligned the Norwegian church with papal directives, reorganized dioceses, and is credited as possibly the first Viking king to learn to read. He founded the town of Bergen, which grew into a thriving capital, and codified many Norwegian laws in writing for the first time, cementing a legacy of governance and cultural advancement that resonates through history.

If you’ve ever wondered what a banquet in the thirteenth‑century court tasted like, you’re in for a treat. Below we dive into 10 medieval recipes that once graced the tables of kings and are now fully doable in a contemporary kitchen. From earthy mushroom broths to sweet almond‑infused rice pudding, each dish is explained in a lively, bite‑sized way that keeps the historic flavor while staying totally kitchen‑friendly.

10 Funges

This entry, listed as No. 10 in the venerable The Forme of Cury, calls for simply sliced mushrooms—known in the period as “funges”—combined with leeks, all dropped into a gentle broth and brightened with a pinch of saffron. The preparation is straightforward enough that even a novice can pull it off without a royal kitchen staff.

What makes the recipe intriguing is the addition of a mysterious spice blend called “powder fort.” Medieval cooks used this mixture much like today’s garam masala, typically blending pepper with either ginger or cinnamon. It gave dishes a warm, aromatic kick that lingered on the palate.

Because the dish was intended for the king’s table, chefs likely enriched the basic blend with extra aromatics such as cloves or even a touch more saffron, turning a humble mushroom stew into a regal delicacy. For a home‑friendly version, try mixing one ounce each of cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, plus a quarter ounce of saffron and a modest pinch of ground cloves.

Back then, pepper reigned supreme among spices, followed closely by cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. While mushrooms were abundant and cheap across medieval England, the addition of exotic spices kept this recipe out of reach for most common folk, preserving its status as a courtly treat.

9 Cormarye

When a monarch wanted to dazzle visiting dignitaries, nothing said “impress me” like a massive slab of pork steeped in a luxurious red‑wine sauce. Known as Cormarye and catalogued as Recipe No. 53 in The Forme of Cury, this preparation centered on a pork loin joint bathed in a reduction of red wine, pepper, garlic, coriander, caraway, and salt. The meat was roasted in this aromatic bath, then the pan juices were incorporated into a richer broth for serving.

The inclusion of coriander and caraway—spices that traveled great distances and fetched high prices—underscores how costly this dish was, even by today’s standards. The result was a succulent, fragrant centerpiece that embodied the opulence of a royal feast.

8 Toastie

Believe it or not, the medieval cookbook of Richard II includes a recipe for a “toastie,” though it bears little resemblance to the modern grilled sandwich. Listed as No. 93 in The Forme of Cury, this preparation is essentially a sweet‑spiced jam spread for toasted bread.

To assemble it, you simmer red wine together with honey, then stir in ground ginger, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture until it thickens into a glossy glaze, spoon it over crisp toast, and finish with freshly chopped ginger sprinkled on top for a bright, peppery note.

7 Payn Ragoun

If you’ve ever imagined medieval confectionery, Payn Ragoun offers a perfect glimpse. This sweet treat, essentially a medieval fudge, was traditionally served alongside meat or fish rather than as a stand‑alone dessert.

To craft it, combine honey, sugar, and water in a pot, simmer gently, then fold in ground ginger. The medieval instructions even tell the cook to dip a finger into the mixture—if the liquid hangs from the fingertip, it’s ready. Add toasted pine nuts, stir until the blend thickens, then pour the mass into a mold and allow it to harden.

The resulting candy boasts a dense, caramel‑like texture with a subtle ginger heat, delivering a flavor profile that would surprise any modern palate used to industrial sweets.

6 Poached Eggs

Poaching eggs—referred to as “pochee” in the original manuscript—was a technique virtually identical to today’s method. The recipe instructs cooks to “take ayrenn and breke hem in scaldyng hoot water,” which simply means cracking the eggs into bubbling water.

Unlike contemporary breakfast servings, these poached eggs were prepared in bulk for grand banquets and presented on a platter with a velvety sauce. The sauce calls for two egg yolks whisked with sugar, saffron, ginger, and a pinch of salt, then blended with milk and gently cooked until it thickens without boiling.

Served alongside the poached eggs, this sweet‑savory sauce added a luxurious richness that complemented the delicate texture of the eggs, making it a fitting addition to a royal spread.

5 Verde Sawse

Today we love salsa verde for its bright herbs and tang, and Richard II was no different. Recipe No. 140 in The Forme of Cury details a medieval version of this green sauce, blending parsley, mint, garlic, thyme, sage, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, wine, breadcrumbs, vinegar, and salt.

The mixture is simply combined and served as‑is, offering a herbaceous, slightly spiced accompaniment that could brighten any meat or fish dish on the royal table.

4 Crepes

Crepes enjoyed a respectable reputation in the medieval era, appearing in Chaucer’s tales as “crips” and recorded in Recipe No. 162 of The Forme of Cury under the name “cryspes.” While French versions from 1393 resemble today’s thin pancakes, English adaptations leaned toward a dough of flour and egg whites, later rolled in sugar after cooling.

The final product was more akin to a lightly sweetened doughnut or powdered cake, offering a delicate, melt‑in‑your‑mouth texture that could be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack between meals.

3 Compost

Recipe No. 100, aptly named “compost,” was essentially a medieval one‑pot wonder—a hearty medley of vegetables simmered together with a lavish sauce. The base called for diced parsley roots, carrots, parsnips, turnips, radishes, cabbage, and pears, all boiled until tender.

After draining, the vegetables were seasoned with salt, then tossed with pepper, saffron, and vinegar. A separate pot boiled wine and honey, which was later enriched with currants and a bouquet of spices before being poured over the vegetable mixture, creating a sweet‑savory harmony.

This dish represented the closest the royal kitchen got to peasant fare, albeit elevated by the inclusion of exotic spices and a rich, aromatic sauce that turned humble roots into a regal centerpiece.

2 Payn Fondew

What we now recognize as bread pudding traces its lineage back to the medieval “payn fondew,” listed as Recipe No. 59. This early version began by frying stale bread in grease, then whisking egg whites with red wine to create a fragrant custard.

To the custard, cooks added raisins, honey, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, simmering until the mixture thickened. The fried bread was then broken into pieces, folded into the syrup, and left to soak, absorbing the sweet, spiced liquid.

Before serving, the pudding was dusted with coriander and a sprinkling of sugar, delivering a sweet‑savory treat that proves our modern cravings for sugar have deep historical roots.

1 Almond Milk Rice

Almonds held a special place in medieval gastronomy, featuring prominently in many dishes from The Forme of Cury. The top‑ranked recipe, often dubbed “almond milk rice,” combined exotic rice—imported from distant lands—with silky almond milk, creating a fragrant, creamy pudding reserved for the wealthiest of households.

To recreate it, cook the rice until tender, drain, then return it to a saucepan. Cover the grains with almond milk, simmer gently, and sweeten with honey and sugar. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens into a luscious, velvety consistency, delivering a dessert that feels both ancient and timeless.

Why 10 Medieval Recipes Still Matter Today

Exploring these ten historic dishes not only satisfies a culinary curiosity but also connects us to the flavors, techniques, and cultural exchanges that shaped medieval Europe. By trying them at home, you get a taste of the past while enjoying the comfort of familiar ingredients.

When you think of British royalty, names like William the Conqueror, Henry VIII, or Queen Victoria instantly pop into mind. Yet, tucked away in the annals of history are a handful of sovereigns whose deeds were remarkable but whose names have faded from popular memory. In this roundup of 10 British kings you’ve probably never heard of, we explore daring invasions, bold reforms, and surprising power shifts that shaped England and Scotland.

10 King Louis

In May of 1216, the French heir to the throne set foot on English soil, disembarking on the island of Thanet with a sizable army and no resistance in sight. From there he marched straight to London, where, rather than rebuffing the foreign claimant, the city’s gates were thrown open. A ceremony in Old St. Paul’s Cathedral, witnessed by English nobles and even the Scottish king, proclaimed him the ruler of England.

The backdrop to this bold move was widespread discontent with King John. The barons, weary of his broken promises after the Magna Carta, invited Louis to assume the crown. John abandoned both London and the historic capital Winchester, allowing Louis to seize them by June, and within months he controlled more than half of the realm.

John’s death from dysentery in October dramatically altered the balance of power. The new monarch, a nine‑year‑old Henry, presented a far less threatening figure to the barons. His regent, the esteemed William Marshal, succeeded in drawing the nobles back to the English side. Despite the odds, Louis persisted for another year, but by September 1217, after suffering key defeats and losing his supply lines, he was compelled to sign the Treaty of Lambeth. The agreement forced him to renounce any claim to the English throne and barred his return, while granting him a payment of 10,000 marks. He later ascended to the French throne in 1223.

9 King Kenneth I

Born around 810, Kenneth entered a landscape split between the Gaelic kingdom of Dalriada and the Pictish realm. By the time he claimed the Dalriadan throne in 839, the Picts were embroiled in a decade‑long crisis with five rival claimants vying for power, leaving the kingdom weakened.

Circa 848, Kenneth emerged as king of the Picts, thereby uniting the territories under a single monarch for the first time. The exact path to his accession remains murky—some suggest his mother’s lineage linked him to a Pictish contender, others propose an election by the Picts, while another theory credits a forceful seizure of power.

Although he initially faced resistance from certain Pictish factions, Kenneth’s ten‑year reign laid the groundwork for a dynasty that endured until 1034 and a unified state that persists today. He is especially noted for relocating the royal administration inland to shield it from Viking raids, moving the religious heart from Iona to Dunkeld. As the first Gaelic ruler of all Scotland, he set in motion the Gaelicisation that eventually erased the Pictish identity by the 12th century.

8 King Athelstan

Athelstan secured the crown of Mercia in 924 following his father Edward’s death, and by late 925 he also became king of Wessex, after quelling a rebellion. With the combined strength of England’s two most powerful Anglo‑Saxon realms behind him, he completed the mission begun by his grandfather, Alfred the Great.

In 927, Athelstan conquered the last Viking stronghold in England—the Kingdom of York—thereby becoming the first monarch in recorded history to rule over all of England. His ambitions did not stop there; by 934 he had invaded Scotland, compelling King Malcolm to acknowledge his overlordship. Malcolm’s dissatisfaction led him to ally with the Vikings and launch an incursion into northern England in 937.

The decisive Battle of Burnanburh cemented Athelstan’s dominance, earning him the self‑styled title “king of Britain.” Welsh and Scottish rulers were forced to attend his council, where they witnessed and accepted his legislation. Athelstan’s reign was marked by an active involvement in governance—more laws survive from his rule than from any other 10th‑century king. He centralized the Anglo‑Saxon administration, reformed currency, and tackled rampant lawlessness, while his council became the first regular assembly to include representatives from across England, laying the foundations for a shared English identity.

7 King Edmund Ironside

Edmund Ironside was not originally slated for the throne; he stood third in line behind his two brothers during a period of relative peace in Anglo‑Saxon England. The tide turned in 1015 when the Danish King Cnut invaded, prompting many English earls to defect from King Æthelred and side with the invaders.

Undeterred, Edmund rallied an army to resist the Danes, though he suffered betrayal from Earl Eadric Streona of Mercia, who submitted to Cnut. When Æthelred failed to join the fight, Edmund allied with Earl Uhtred of Northumbria, launching raids against Eadric’s lands in retaliation. Cnut’s forces landed in Northumbria, compelling Uhtred’s submission and resulting in his death, leaving Edmund isolated.

Following Æthelred’s death in early 1016, Edmund marched to London and was crowned king of England, as his brothers had both perished in 1014. He then mobilized forces from Wessex, confronting the Danes at Penselwood and Sherston, and successfully broke the Danish siege of London. Subsequent victories at Brentford and Otford bolstered his campaign, yet a pivotal clash at Assandun saw Earl Eadric abandon Edmund’s army mid‑battle, allowing Cnut to secure a crushing victory. Edmund’s reign concluded later that year, after a brief twelve‑month tenure.

6 King Edgar The Atheling

Edgar the Atheling’s claim to the English throne was fleeting. After William the Conqueror’s invasion in 1066, Edgar was elected king by the royal council in October, but by December he had sworn fealty to William and fled to Scotland, ending his two‑month reign as the last Anglo‑Saxon king of England.

His story, however, did not stop there. In 1069 he returned to lead a rebellion in Northumbria, later joining forces with the Danes in 1070 when they seized York in his name. The guerrilla campaign lasted nearly a year before Edgar withdrew to Scotland. In 1074, French King Philip offered him lands and a castle in northern France to harass William’s holdings; Edgar accepted, but a storm shipwrecked his party on the English coast.

Escaping to Scotland with a handful of men, Edgar was persuaded by Malcolm, the Scottish king and his sister’s husband, to abandon his claim and return to England. After Malcolm’s death in 1093, a succession crisis emerged, and Edgar, now influential in England, raised an army, drove out a pretender, and installed his nephew on the Scottish throne, showcasing his political resilience.

5 King Robert II

Robert II ascended to the Scottish throne in 1371 at the age of fifty‑something, after spending over half a century as heir presumptive. He inaugurated the Stuart dynasty, which would govern Scotland until 1603 and then the entire British Isles until 1714.

Robert’s seasoned experience allowed him to adopt a conciliatory approach toward the nobility, contrasting with his predecessor’s heavy‑handed tactics. He granted local powers to nobles, compensated them financially, and then allocated lands to his own sons, thereby securing loyalty. Unlike earlier Scottish monarchs who largely stayed in the lowlands, Robert toured the whole kingdom with his court, engaging in diplomacy and solidifying support across regions.

His diplomatic acumen extended beyond Scotland; within weeks of his coronation, he forged an alliance with France, a crucial safeguard against English ambitions. However, rising tensions with England eventually strained his policy of peace, alienating many supporters. The royal council eventually stripped Robert of substantial authority, handing power to his son, the lieutenant of Scotland, who soon led the nation into war, relegating Robert to a largely ceremonial role for the remainder of his reign.

4 King Edgar The Peaceful

While Athelstan earned the distinction of being the first king of a unified England, Edgar the Peaceful was the monarch who cemented that unity into a lasting, powerful realm. He tirelessly worked to centralize royal authority across the kingdom and introduced a standardized system of weights and measures that became widely adopted.

Edgar’s legislation profoundly shaped medieval English society and set expectations for future monarchs. When the Danish King Cnut later invaded, he pledged to uphold Edgar’s laws, underscoring their enduring influence. Additionally, Edgar spearheaded the creation of a nationalized currency. Prior to his reforms, coinage varied regionally in size, weight, and design, but his standardization of the silver penny across all royal mints increased royal wealth and enabled subsequent kings to pay off Viking raiders, thereby preserving coastal settlements.

3 King William II ‘Rufus’

When William the Conqueror lay dying in 1087, he made his succession wishes clear: his eldest son Robert would become Duke of Normandy, while the younger surviving son, William Rufus, would inherit the English crown. Rufus—nicknamed for his ruddy complexion and possibly his temper or drinking habits—proved a far better choice than Robert, who once staged a childish rebellion by dumping a chamber pot over his brother’s head.

Robert promptly challenged Rufus’s claim, but his rebellion collapsed when he failed to appear. Rufus, now secure on the throne, spent thirteen years strengthening England’s borders, notably defeating the Scots and annexing Cumbria. He also filled the royal coffers by imposing heavy taxes and exploiting the free investiture system: by deliberately leaving bishoprics vacant, he redirected their incomes to the crown, though this deprived the populace of religious leaders.

These tactics earned Rufus many enemies, and combined with his bachelorhood, they fueled accusations of sodomy from contemporary monastic chroniclers. Widely unpopular, Rufus was more interested in personal pleasures than diligent governance. He met his end in a hunting accident in 1100, and few mourned his loss.

2 King Henry I

Henry I, known as Beauclerk for his scholarly demeanor and Latin fluency, contrasted sharply with his brother Rufus. When Rufus died during a hunt in 1100, Henry happened to be on the same expedition, while Robert was away on a crusade. This coincidence sparked rumors that Henry had orchestrated his brother’s death.

Robert, believing his seniority granted him a superior claim, rushed back from the Holy Land to contest the throne. Initially, many nobles sided with him, but Henry won them over by issuing the Charter of Liberties—a document promising to reverse Rufus’s corrupt practices, restore law and order, and absolve nobles of existing debts or murder charges if they pledged allegiance to him.

The Charter imposed significant constraints on royal authority, especially regarding succession rights of vassals. After capturing and imprisoning Robert for life in 1106, Henry largely ignored the Charter’s limitations, yet he oversaw monumental administrative advances. He appointed royal justices to travel the countryside, ensuring courts operated efficiently and that criminals paid their dues. He also established the Exchequer, the enduring financial office of the British state, and reformed the currency three times—in 1107, 1108, and 1125. The first pipe roll, a record of royal expenditures, was compiled in 1130, marking a new era of fiscal accountability.

1 King Constantine II

If Kenneth I was the pioneer who first unified Scotland, his grandson Constantine II was the monarch who molded that unity into a recognizable nation. Over his 43‑year reign, the realm transitioned from being called the Kingdom of the Picts to the Kingdom of Alba, the Gaelic term for “Scotland.” It was during his rule that the words “Scot” and “Scotland” entered common usage.

In the third year of his reign, Viking forces returned, pillaging as far as Dunkeld and looting religious treasures. This prompted Constantine to focus primarily on repelling the Norse invaders. He frequently allied with the English, even traveling to Athelstan’s court to witness his laws in exchange for peace and cooperation. In 918, a joint Scottish‑English army met the Vikings at the Battle of Corbridge, securing a decisive victory.

The most formidable Viking threat came from the Ui Imair, based in the Hebrides. While the exact details of Constantine’s clashes with them remain obscure, their influence waned as a centralized Scottish kingdom emerged. In his sixties, Constantine peacefully transferred power to his nephew Malcolm and spent his remaining years as the abbot of St. Andrews, dedicating himself to teaching and study. Such a tranquil succession was rare in both Scotland and England, underscoring the stability he achieved.

These ten monarchs—spanning French pretenders, pioneering Scottish rulers, and reformist English kings—may not dominate mainstream history textbooks, but their legacies echo through the political and cultural fabric of the British Isles. Next time you hear a familiar royal name, remember that countless other sovereigns once walked the same halls, shaping the destiny of a nation.

When we talk about the 10 best kings in European history, we instantly picture towering figures whose deeds reshaped continents. From the mighty Byzantine emperors to the shrewd monarchs of England, Spain, and France, the crown was a heavy mantle—one that not every heir could bear. Some successors rose to the challenge, while others stumbled spectacularly, leaving a trail of disappointment that still echoes through the ages. Below, we count down ten illustrious rulers whose glorious reigns were followed by sons who simply couldn’t match the family name.

10 Edward II

Poor Edward II inherited a colossal pair of royal boots when his formidable father, Edward I—better known as Edward Longshanks—died abruptly in 1307. The elder Longshanks had cemented his reputation by crushing William Wallace’s rebellion, ordering the brutal execution of the Scottish hero, and pacifying Wales, even bestowing upon his son the inaugural title of Prince of Wales.

When Edward II ascended the throne that same year, expectations were sky‑high. His reign, however, quickly soured after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce outmaneuvered him and forced the English king to flee in disgrace. Adding insult to injury, Edward’s personal life—rumoured affairs with favourite courtiers—alienated both his council and his wife. Ultimately, he was compelled to abdicate in favour of his fourteen‑year‑old son, Edward III, and later met a grisly end under disputed circumstances while imprisoned. Historians often label Edward II as the sole failure of Edward I’s otherwise stellar legacy.

9 Napoleon II

Napoleon II never asked for the impossible, yet he was thrust into the shadow of a father whose name still reverberates through military academies worldwide. Napoleon Bonaparte—dubbed Napoleon I—was the first Emperor of France, a tactical genius who amassed victories across Europe during the Napoleonic Wars, and a figure whose very existence reshaped the continent’s political map.

The birth of his son was celebrated in Paris with a thunderous salute of one hundred cannon blasts. However, after Napoleon’s crushing defeat at Waterloo, the elder emperor was forced into exile and formally abdicated in favour of his infant son. Raised in Austria, the young Napoleon II never seized the French throne; instead, he entered Austrian service, despite lingering hopes among French loyalists that he might one day reclaim the empire. He died at the tender age of twenty‑one in 1832, a victim of tuberculosis, never having ruled and leaving no heirs to continue his line.

8 Edward VIII

Edward VIII inherited the throne from his father, George V, in January 1936 after a respectable 26‑year reign that saw Britain navigate World War I, the Russian Revolution, and a rapidly shifting domestic political landscape. George V was widely respected, yet his relationship with his eldest son was strained; Edward was notorious for a flamboyant social life and rumored liaisons with high‑profile women, causing the king to favour his second‑eldest son, Prince George, as a more suitable heir.

When Edward ascended in 1936, his reign was cut dramatically short by a scandal that still fuels tabloid headlines. His intention to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice‑divorced American socialite, sparked a constitutional crisis. Public opinion deemed the match unacceptable for a monarch, and amid whispers of pro‑Nazi sympathies and a controversial tour of Germany, Edward chose love over the crown, abdicating in favour of his brother, George VI. The rest of his life was spent largely outside Britain with Simpson, and his brief, tumultuous stint on the throne remains a footnote in British royal history.

7 Charles IV And Ferdinand VII

In this dual entry we examine both a son and a grandson who fell short of the towering legacy left by King Charles III of Spain. Charles III, who took the throne in 1759, presided over nearly three decades of progress: he modernized Spain’s infrastructure, introduced a national flag and anthem, and generally steered the nation toward a more prominent European role.

When Charles III died in 1788, his son Charles IV inherited the crown. Unlike his diligent father, Charles IV proved disinterested in active governance, delegating authority to a host of delegates. His vacillating allegiances—switching between France and Great Britain—eroded public trust, and his reign was marred by widespread unpopularity. The discontent grew so severe that his own son, Ferdinand VII, attempted a coup to unseat him.

Ferdinand VII eventually claimed the throne in 1808, only to be forced into abdication under Napoleon’s pressure before being restored in 1813. His rule oversaw the loss of Spain’s American colonies and earned him a reputation as one of the nation’s worst monarchs. Together, Charles IV and Ferdinand VII illustrate how a dynasty’s golden age can quickly descend into turmoil when heirs fail to match their predecessor’s vision.

6 Louis The Pious

Louis the Pious ruled the Franks and held the title of Holy Roman Emperor from 814 until his death in 840. He initially co‑ruled alongside his legendary father, Charlemagne, from 813, stepping into the sole emperorship after Charlemagne’s passing. Charlemagne had unified much of Western Europe, imposed Christianity across his realm, and is celebrated as the “father of Europe.”

Louis inherited a massive empire, but his tenure proved far more contentious than triumphant. While he managed to keep the Carolingian realm intact for 26 years, his decision to parcel the empire among his three sons sowed the seeds of civil war. The division sparked relentless infighting, leading to Louis’s temporary deposition and two public confessions where he was forced to atone for alleged sins. Though he eventually reclaimed his throne, his authority remained weakened, and his death reignited another wave of territorial disputes across Europe.

5 Edward VI

Edward VI succeeded his formidable father, Henry VIII, in 1547, stepping onto a throne that had been dramatically reshaped by his predecessor’s six‑marriage saga and sweeping religious reforms. Henry VIII, a larger‑than‑life figure, had broken with Rome, established the Church of England, and left a nation forever altered.

Often portrayed as a frail child, contemporary accounts suggest Edward was far from weak, yet he never truly governed. A regency council ran the kingdom throughout his brief reign, which was plagued by civil unrest and a costly war with Scotland that yielded little success. At the age of fifteen, Edward succumbed to a fever, dying in 1553 after a short, turbulent rule that starkly contrasted with his father’s robust legacy. His premature death left the throne to his half‑sister, Mary I, ending the short Tudor male line.

4 John, King Of England

John, the sole monarch of his name, reigned over England from 1199 to 1216, following in the illustrious footsteps of his brother, Richard the Lionheart. Though Richard had become a legendary crusader, John’s own father, Henry II, had forged a strong foundation for English law and expanded influence into Ireland.

John’s ascension was marred by familial betrayal; he turned against Richard during a bitter inheritance dispute and seized the crown in 1199. His reign quickly earned the moniker “John Lackland” as he lost significant territories—including Normandy, the ancestral heartland—while squandering the empire his father had built. Known for paranoia and a ruthless streak, John was implicated in the murder of his teenage nephew, Arthur of Brittany, allegedly acting in a drunken rage. His disastrous rule, marked by heavy taxation, failed military campaigns, and the sealing of the Magna Carta under duress, cemented his reputation as one of England’s most reviled kings.

3 Constantine III

Hercalius Novus Constantinus Augustus, better known as Constantine III, briefly ruled the Byzantine Empire for a mere four months in AD 641. He succeeded his father, Heraclius, a stalwart emperor who had commanded the empire for three decades, securing victories against Persian and Arab forces and officially shifting the empire’s official language from Latin to Greek.

Constantine III’s reign was a tangled affair of shared power with his half‑brother Heraklonas. In a scenario reminiscent of a “Game of Thrones” power struggle, the two co‑ruled until Constantine’s untimely death, reportedly from tuberculosis—though many suspect poisoning by Heraklonas’s mother, Martina. Following his demise, Heraklonas assumed sole control, only to be forced to abdicate later, highlighting the volatility of Byzantine succession and the fragility of an empire already under external pressure.

2 Richard Cromwell

Richard Cromwell never truly held the title of king, yet he served as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth after his father, Oliver Cromwell, passed away in 1658. Oliver had revolutionized English politics, leading the nation through the Civil War, overseeing the execution of King Charles I, and establishing a republican government that lasted five years.

When Oliver died, Richard was appointed his successor, but his tenure lasted less than a year. His rule was plagued by “underhanded working,” a lack of military experience, and an apparent preference for leisurely pursuits over governance. At one point, the army effectively placed him under house arrest at Whitehall Palace. In 1659, he resigned, fled into exile, and watched as Charles II was invited back to the throne, marking the abrupt end of the Cromwellian experiment and a swift return to monarchy.

1 George IV

George IV, often remembered as the Prince Regent, ascended the British throne after the death of his father, George III, who had reigned for nearly sixty years. George III is famed for agricultural reforms and, controversially, for his role as the monarch during the American Revolution, which led to the United States’ independence.

George IV’s reign was a stark contrast to his father’s steady governance. He lived a life of extravagance, fathering numerous illegitimate children, accumulating massive debts, and indulging in heavy drinking and gluttony. Rather than being celebrated for political achievements, his legacy is defined by hedonistic excess and a tarnished public image. Contemporary newspapers lamented his death, noting, “There never was an individual less regretted by his fellow‑creatures than this deceased king.” He left no direct heir, further underscoring the disappointment that followed his father’s long‑standing reign.

Why These 10 Best Kings Matter

The stories of these monarchs illustrate how dynastic pressure can both propel and cripple a lineage. While each of the ten featured rulers earned a place among the 10 best kings of Europe through military triumphs, cultural reforms, or political savvy, their descendants often struggled to live up to the towering legacies left behind. Understanding these contrasts offers a richer perspective on how personal choices, historical circumstance, and sheer luck intertwine in the tapestry of royal history.