Henry II was respected for his legal reforms but also feared for his ruthless treatment of rebellious barons. Frederick the Great was admired for his cultural patronage yet maintained strict discipline in his army and state.
Monarchs who ruled only by fear often faced conspiracies. Ivan the Terrible’s reign ended with a weakened Russia as nobles plotted and chaos followed. Conversely, kings who relied solely on popularity sometimes failed to assert authority.
Leave a Clear Succession
A king’s duty did not end with his life. Without a clear heir, realms often plunged into civil war. The Wars of the Roses in England, the Time of Troubles in Russia, or the countless feudal disputes across medieval Europe all stemmed from contested successions.
Louis XIV, despite many faults, ensured his dynasty by arranging marriages and grooming heirs. Even when heirs died young, he had backups.
Contrast this with Alexander the Great, who died without a strong heir. His empire shattered almost instantly into warring kingdoms under his generals (the Diadochi). shutdown123