WHO WAS THE BEST ENGLISH MONARCH? DAVID MITCHELL RATES THE ROYALS!

Cinemavixion Review

David Mitchell, renowned comedian and author, delves into the tumultuous history of England's monarchs with historian Dan Snow in this insightful exploration. Moving beyond the gilded portraits, Mitchell posits that these rulers, often perceived as formidable figures, were in many ways "lucky sods" whose real lives were as peculiar as their public image suggests. The discussion spans from the mythical King Arthur to the reign of Elizabeth I, charting the evolution of kingship from warlords to divinely appointed rulers. Mitchell's characteristic wit and historical erudition shine as he dissects the era's "narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut." This engaging narrative unravels the complex process by which subjects transitioned from appeasing armed gangs to paying taxes to a crowned head, ultimately questioning the enduring relevance of this history in modern Britain.