Writer's Block: True Crime

[fajrdrako]

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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.

Comments

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

"Justifiable"? How so? I knew that King Henry II and Becket were quarreling, but I thought the assassins in this case were (re)acting to the King's temper tantrum.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

"Justifiable"? How so?

Not necessarily legally justifiable, and I don't think it is the four knights in question that silverwhistle meant, though it could have been. In terms of the political controversy, my sympathies are all with Henry: he wanted autonomy for English law and the Pope wanted legistlative power in England. Similar scenarios were being played out all over Europe, equally dramatically, as the Papacy increasingly (and successfully) tried to assert its power.

In personal terms - well. I shouldn't go there, perhaps, since it's so subjective. Henry was betrayed by a friend he thought he could trust.

I do believe Henry's statement that his outburst was not meant as a command - the murder of Becket caused more trouble for him than it was worth. (Personal feelings aside. I think he also mourned to loss of a former friend.)

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

In the sense of Becket being an obnoxious and arrogant bastard who was just asking for it… Even the Pope thought he'd been going too far.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I would have put it that way but I thought it would sound too, well, emotionally involved and I was trying to sound detatched. But yes. The bastard!