One of the most notorious kings who has been historically considered "evil" is King Richard III of England (1452–1485). Though some modern historians have reconsidered his reputation, Richard III was vilified by many after his death, particularly by the Tudors, who took over the throne. His supposed involvement in the disappearance and presumed murder of his young nephews, the Princes in the Tower, led to a lasting legacy of him being seen as a ruthless and "evil" monarch in English folklore.
Another notorious figure is King John of England (1166–1216), who is often remembered as one of the most despised English monarchs. His reign was marked by heavy taxation, military failure, and the infamous signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, which was essentially a document forced upon him by rebellious barons due to his tyrannical rule. John’s reputation as a cruel and ineffective king earned him a lasting place in history as an example of "evil" in the royal context.
In a broader historical sense, many kings throughout the world have been labeled as "evil" for their ruthless rule, such as Nero of Rome (37–68 AD), who is often remembered for his violent persecution of Christians, or King Leopold II of Belgium (1835–1909), whose brutal exploitation and abuse of the Congolese people during the colonization of the Congo Free State have earned him widespread condemnation.
Conclusion
The history of kings and castles is filled with rich tales of power, tyranny, and sometimes villainy. While the identity of the "first king of a castle" might be fluid depending on the time and place in history, figures like Charlemagne and William the Conqueror can be seen as pioneering kings who solidified their rule through the construction of castles. On the other hand, the idea of the "evil king" is equally broad, encompassing rulers like Richard III and King John, whose oppressive actions have led to their enduring negative reputations. Throughout history, the power held by kings and the castles they built served as symbols of authority, but sometimes those symbols were marred by the actions of tyrannical or cruel rulers. shutdown123