The burden of power on children's shoulders: the most famous monarchs who took the throne at a young age

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Perhaps, in childhood, each of us dreamed of becoming a king. But history knows many cases when children, due to certain circumstances, became rulers. But not everyone managed to survive the burden of power and palace intrigues painlessly. This overview presents the monarch children who influenced the course of history.

Ivan the Terrible

Tsar of all Russia Ivan IV the Terrible became ruler at the age of 3 after the death of his father Vasily III. When the boy was 8 years old, his mother also died. In fact, the country was ruled by the "Seven Boyars" - a board of trustees, which consisted of representatives of the aristocracy. The boyars were supposed to take care of Ivan IV, but in reality it turned out completely different.

The boyars did not reckon with the boy at all. Moreover, they mocked him and his brother Yuri: they kept him in poverty, isolated from society, and killed friends. The future tsar grew up in an atmosphere of palace intrigue, lies, he was embittered, distrustful, prone to torturing animals. The reign of Ivan the Terrible became a clear example of what happens to a person if he is raised in hatred.

Oyo is the youngest reigning king in Africa

King Oyo from Uganda is considered by far the youngest reigning monarch. He was crowned at the age of 3 in 1995. For the ceremony, a miniature throne was made for the future monarch. During the coronation, he played with toys, and then took off his crown and crawled onto his mother's lap. Oyo is still on the throne. His policy is called one of the most liberal among African countries.

Queen of Spain Isabella II

Isabella II ascended the Spanish throne at the age of 3 in 1833. She was unlucky in only one thing - she was born a girl. The fact is that her father Ferdinand VII did not have children for a long time, but he was not going to give the throne to his brother Charles either. Therefore, when the queen finally became pregnant, the monarch issued a decree according to which the born child, regardless of gender, would become the ruler of Spain.

The country was divided into two camps: some supported the female monarch, while others leaned towards the rebellious Charles (the king's brother). A civil war broke out. The clashes resulted in Spain becoming a constitutional monarchy. After the 35-year reign of Isabella II, a revolution broke out in the country, because of which the queen was overthrown. She fled to France, where she spent the rest of her days.

Pu Yi - the last Chinese emperor

Poo yi took the Chinese throne at the age of two, in 1908. But in 1911, an armed uprising broke out in the country, aimed at eliminating the monarchist power. The Republic of China arose. A year later, Pu Yi was removed from the throne. Nevertheless, he remained to live in the Forbidden City - the historical residence of the Chinese emperors. Here, the boy was treated with respect, corresponding to his origin and title. On walks, a whole procession of servants followed him, carrying tea, food and medicine. They continued to educate him, instilling the qualities necessary for the monarch. For this, only the best were invited: scientists, academicians, former politicians.

The English language Pu Yi was taught by the Scotsman Reginald Johnston, he also became the best friend of the young emperor. The European mentor also taught Pu Yi how to ride a bike, play tennis and golf, and wear glasses. After Johnston's tales of the Western world, the emperor often referred to himself by the name of Henry.

In 1917, during a military uprising, Pu Yi again became emperor, but not for long, only for two weeks. In 1924, upon reaching adulthood, Pu Yi was stripped of his special status, titles and expelled from China. Further political games made Henry Pu Yi dependent on Japan, and in 1932 he was made the head of the newly formed state of Manchukuo. After the victory of the USSR in the war with Japan, the emperor was taken prisoner and then handed over to the authorities of communist China. He was "re-educated" in one of the special camps, and then the former emperor lived out his years, working in a botanical garden and a library.

Tutankhamun

Tutankhamun became the pharaoh of Ancient Egypt as a ten-year-old child (c. 1332 BC). He ruled for only nine years and became famous only after his death. The reasons for the death of the young pharaoh are very controversial: poisoning, falling from a chariot or severe malaria. In any case, his tomb, found in 1922, became the greatest archaeological discovery of the 19th century, and Pharaoh Tutankhamun is the most famous of all child rulers in history.

Queen Christina of Sweden

Queen Christina was declared ruler of Sweden at the age of 6, immediately after the death of her father, King Gustav II Adolf, in 1632. The girl received an excellent education: she studied seven languages at once, was interested in the works of outstanding philosophers, and made progress in the sciences.

Start of independent rule Christina Swedish was marked by brilliant successes in foreign policy, but the internal state of affairs of the country was disastrous. The Queen was very fond of luxury, which ruined the country's treasury. It was a shock for everyone when Christina of Sweden renounced the throne and went to Rome to convert to Catholicism. She became one of three women buried in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Henry VI

Henry VI became king of England at the age of eight months, after the death of his father. And in the next year, 1422, his grandfather, King of France Charles VI, died. The little monarch was influenced by the regent, the Duke of Bedford. The king's own mother did not enjoy the authority of the aristocracy and therefore was removed from the upbringing of her son. The reign of the monarch fell on the final period of the Hundred Years War, which ended in heavy losses for England. Henry VI lived an eventful life, in the future he was to fight in the Civil War of the Scarlet and White Roses and die in captivity at the age of 50.

John I - the king who ruled for only 5 days

John I became king of France and Navarre immediately after his birth in 1316, because his father-king died before the birth of an heir. The baby lived only five days, for which he received the name John I the Posthumous. There were a lot of rumors around the country. Some said that the little monarch was poisoned by his uncle, while others believed that the child was stolen to save him, and a corpse was planted in his place. Subsequently, impostors were declared several times in France, posing as the surviving John I.

King Sobuza II

King Sobuza II became the ruler of Swaziland (supreme leader) at four months, and left this post when he died at the age of 82. This is the longest documented reign in the history of mankind. Most of the time, Sobuza, also known as Nkhotfotjeni, played only a demonstrative role. Only in 1968 did Swaziland gain independence from Great Britain. Sobuza II, having won the elections, dissolved parliament, canceled the constitution, banned all political parties, trade unions and public organizations. Now the actions of the monarch are assessed ambiguously. He helped Swaziland to become independent, "raised" the economy, but he himself seized power. The king had over 70 wives, 210 children and at least a thousand grandchildren.

If in Swaziland after gaining independence, the economy went up, then in Equatorial Guinea everything happened exactly the opposite. The president came to power, who destroyed everything that was associated with the concept of a developed country, and after the coup d'état, the insane dictator ate up the entire state treasury.