Writer's Block: True Crime
Jan. 15th, 2009 09:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fajrdrako[Error: unknown template qotd]
The murder of Conrad de Montferrat, King of Jerusalem in 1192. Popular speculation is that Richard the Lionheart had him killed; I think that's nonsense, as Richard had too much to lose and too little to gain. I think it was Henri de Champagne, who stood to gain the widow and the kingdom.
Other favourites: the murder of William II of England, a gay king probably killed by his brother.
The murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 isn't exactly a mystery, but it's a fascinating case of political conflict and friendship gone wrong. All the more in that Henry II is my favourite English king.
The fate of Louis LVII was a favourite mystery, too, but I think it has now been settled with the disinterrment of his bones and examination of DNA evidence.
I'm also interested in deaths of Xerxes of Persia, and of Attila the Hun.
Modern murders tend to interest me less, except in fiction.
The murder of Conrad de Montferrat, King of Jerusalem in 1192. Popular speculation is that Richard the Lionheart had him killed; I think that's nonsense, as Richard had too much to lose and too little to gain. I think it was Henri de Champagne, who stood to gain the widow and the kingdom.
Other favourites: the murder of William II of England, a gay king probably killed by his brother.
The murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 isn't exactly a mystery, but it's a fascinating case of political conflict and friendship gone wrong. All the more in that Henry II is my favourite English king.
The fate of Louis LVII was a favourite mystery, too, but I think it has now been settled with the disinterrment of his bones and examination of DNA evidence.
I'm also interested in deaths of Xerxes of Persia, and of Attila the Hun.
Modern murders tend to interest me less, except in fiction.
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no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 07:12 pm (UTC)The problem with the subject is that so very much has been written about Jack the Ripper, and of course there have been many (generally hokey) documentaries and docudramas about the subject. Sadly, I always get the feeling that the people involved either have an agenda they're jumping through hoops to find proof for and/or are playing the subject for maximum drama rather than veracity. It was... the SECOND COUSIN ONCE REMOVED OF THE PRINCE OF WALES!!! No, really! The subject is too famous, too "sexy" -- just too much everything. I never get the feeling the writers or producers are looking for the truth of the matter. I suppose a real journalist or historian or documentary-maker has at some point taken on the whole mess and winnowed out the lies and exaggerations, but good luck finding that book/documentary in the tons that are out there.
Thanks for the writer's block tip, I enjoy writing those!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 07:15 pm (UTC)And sometimes the Writer's Block item is really lame, but sometimes it's equally interesting, so worth keeping an eye on.