Were there any other kings who had public humiliation and punishment just not death besides Henry the second
Yes, there were several other kings who implemented public humiliation and punishment as a form of justice, rather than resorting to death. Here are a few examples:
1. King John Lackland of England (r. 1199-1216): He was known for his harsh punishments, including blinding and castrating individuals, as well as ordering the amputation of limbs.
2. King Louis IX of France (r. 1226-1270): He introduced an intricate legal system that included public humiliation and corporal punishment. Offenders were sometimes made to wear special garments signifying their crimes, while others were subjected to public flogging or branding.
3. King Alfonso X of Castile (r. 1252-1284): He established a legal framework known as the Siete Partidas, which introduced a range of punishments for different crimes. Public humiliation was a common penalty, including being paraded through the streets or put in stocks.
4. King Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399): He was known for implementing public humiliation and degradation as a means of punishment. One infamous incident involved forcing the Duke of Gloucester to walk barefoot through London while wearing only a linen undershirt.
It is important to note that while these kings utilized public humiliation and punishment, the severity and frequency of such practices varied depending on the specific monarch and the societal norms of the time.
The duke of Gloucester public humiliation explained
The Duke of Gloucester mentioned in my previous response refers to Thomas of Woodstock, who was the youngest son of King Edward III of England and the uncle of King Richard II. Thomas of Woodstock held significant influence and power, which created tensions with his nephew, Richard II.
In 1397, King Richard II, who was just 20 years old at the time, felt threatened by Thomas of Woodstock's popularity and decided to take action against him. Richard accused his uncle of treasonous acts and orchestrated a plot to strip him of his titles, property, and dignity.
On July 10, 1397, Thomas of Woodstock was arrested and imprisoned at Calais Castle. In order to humiliate him publicly, Richard ordered a series of demeaning acts. Thomas was stripped of his noble titles, including Duke of Gloucester, and was referred to as "Thomas of Woodstock" instead. He was deprived of his lavish apparel and instead dressed in a simple linen undershirt, which was seen as an act of debasement for a man of influence.
To further intensify the humiliation, Richard II arranged for Thomas to be paraded through the streets of Calais on a lame horse, with his head bowed and his feet exposed. The intention was to display his disgrace and effectively strip him of his dignity and honor.
Unfortunately, this act of public humiliation was just the beginning of the Duke of Gloucester's downfall. In September 1397, he was secretly executed on Richard's orders, making him one of the earliest victims of the monarch's authoritarian rule.
Duke of Gloucester's downfall. In September 1397, he was secretly executed explained
The exact circumstances of the Duke of Gloucester's death remain somewhat unclear, but it is commonly believed that he was executed on Richard II's orders. A year after his public humiliation, in September 1397, Thomas of Woodstock was moved from Calais Castle to Pleshey Castle in Essex, England.
While at Pleshey Castle, it is believed that Thomas was secretly put on trial for treason by a commission appointed by Richard II. The trial was likely a formality to justify the execution, and it is widely believed to have been politically motivated rather than based on genuine evidence of treason. The specific charges against Thomas of Woodstock may have included conspiring against the king and supporting Richard's political enemies.
The details surrounding Thomas's execution are largely unknown, but historical accounts suggest that he was most likely murdered within the walls of Pleshey Castle. Some sources suggest that he was suffocated, while others claim that he was smothered or strangled. The secrecy surrounding his death indicates that Richard II wanted to avoid any public scrutiny or backlash for the act.
The execution of the Duke of Gloucester caused significant upheaval in England. It further incited Richard II's opponents and contributed to the discontent and instability that eventually led to his own deposition and the ascent of Henry Bolingbroke, who became King Henry IV.