Quirky Royalty: Eccentric Monarchs and Their Strange Habits
By Jack Ripley | June 13, 2024
Ivan the Terrible Who Released Bears on Moscow's Streets
The world often perceives monarchs as very poised individuals. Yet, history unveils people with a multitude of quirks. From kings who preferred conversing with birds to queens who believed cosmic forces caused them to be in power, historical accounts show that royalty has had many unconventional habits. Some monarchs gave lavish banquets before insisting their guests perform gladiator feats, while others built fairy-tale-like castles. Some even preferred spending time with their dead husbands to taking care of their courtly duties. These royal idiosyncrasies offer a glimpse into the strange world of unconventional rulers.
Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, reigned from 1547 to 1584 and during that time his secret police terrorized and executed suspected traitors. Ivan's profoundly religious nature contrasted with his paranoid and violent actions. While professing his faith, he had many people executed, including his own son.
Ivan's eccentric public behavior further added to his notoriety. He sometimes dressed as a peasant and mingled with commoners, but at other times, he displayed extravagant royal splendor. He often carried out morbid pranks, like releasing bears into the streets of Moscow, causing chaos while he watched from a safe distance. Additionally, he devised new and horrific methods of execution, showing a particular interest in the suffering of those he deemed disloyal. But the bear thing is probably the "quirkiest" thing he ever did.
Roman Emperor Caligula Appoints His Horse as Counsel While Wearing Women's Clothing
Roman Emperor Caligula had a strong disdain for traditional political structures and a robust desire to flaunt his absolute power, which could be why he appointed his horse Incitatus as counsel. Caligula ordered workers to build a marble stable for the horse, and construct a gemstone collar. Cute!
Caligula's fashion sense was unconventional to say the least. He delighted in shocking Rome's elite by donning women's clothing. This audacious display of gender-bending attire defied societal norms and served as a bold assertion of his absolute power and disregard for convention. Caligula often wore these outfits to lavish banquets, featuring roasted dormouse and flamingo tongue. Then to make things all the more strange, after the guests dined they were often forced to engage in bizarre mock gladiatorial combat.
Fed up with his authoritarian rule, extravagant spending, and unpredictable behavior, disgruntled senators and the Praetorian Guard plotted his demise and he was eventually assassinated while attending a sporting event.
Henry VI of England's Profound Religious Habits and Comatose Bouts
In 1453, Henry VI of England experienced a profound mental breakdown that left him in a near-catatonic state for over a year. One striking incident that illustrates the severity of his condition occurred when his wife, Queen Margaret of Anjou, presented him with their newborn son, Edward. Henry, deeply unresponsive, merely slumped into a chair and did not lift his head or acknowledge his son when he should have given him a blessing. This complete detachment clearly showed his incapacitation. It left his kingdom without effective leadership.
Henry VI of England was also obsessed with obtaining religious artifacts, a hobby in which he indulged in extremes. First, he amassed a vast collection of religious artifacts before spending hours praying in front of them. This really takes the concept of "indoor kid" to an entirely new level.
Farmer George III of England's Obsession With Punctuality
George III of England reigned from 1760 to 1820. While he was a king, he had his fair share of quirks. Affectionately dubbed "Farmer George," he was more at home in the fields than in the throne room, but his love for farming wasn't just for show. He was genuinely passionate about agricultural advancements, even going so far as to establish the Royal Agricultural Society to spread the word about better farming practices.
It wasn't all plows and crops for George. He had a penchant for punctuality and his daily routine was as predictable as the sunrise. He ruled with a meticulousness that extended beyond governance into his personal life, earning him a reputation for being a stickler for order.
Despite his strict adherence to routine, George III had a playful side. He enjoyed the company of his children and grandchildren, often engaging in spirited games and light-hearted banter. His quirks added a touch of charm to the royal court.
Joanna of Castile Loved Spending Time With Her Dead Husband
Joanna of Castile, known as Joanna the Mad, ruled as Queen of Castile from 1504 until she died in 1555. One notable quirk was her obsession with the preservation of her deceased husband's body. She carried his embalmed heart with her wherever she went, a macabre symbol of her undying love and devotion. Talk about a manic pixie dream girl!
Furthermore, Joanna's deep-seated fears led her to seclude herself for extended periods, withdrawing from courtly affairs and shunning the company of those around her. Instead, she found solace in the macabre companionship of her deceased husband's embalmed corpse.
Furthermore, Joanna's paranoia and distrust of those around her led to peculiar habits, such as frequent changes in her household staff and the establishment of an intricate network of spies to monitor the activities of her courtiers. She also displayed symptoms of religious fanaticism, engaging in extreme acts of penance as she grappled with her inner demons.
Fashionista Carlota de Mexico Counted on Cosmic Forces for Her Power
Carlota de Mexico, also known as Empress Carlota, was a queen consort with a dramatic flair. Arriving in Mexico in 1864 alongside her husband, Emperor Maximilian I, Carlota quickly made her mark with her colorful personality and eccentric quirks. She was fascinated with astrology and mysticism. Carlota believed cosmic forces shaped destiny, which led to her consultation of astrologers and fortune-tellers for guidance on matters of state.
Carlota delighted in wearing elaborate gowns adorned with jewels and feathers, which on its face isn't that weird. Every royal occasion became a vibrant spectacle as she dazzled with her regal attire. Her love for the finer things in life was matched only by her passion for the arts. She patronized painters, musicians, and poets, filling her court with creativity and culture and earning the admiration and adoration of her subjects.
Ludwig II of Bavaria Attempted to Create Real-life Fairy Tales
Ludwig II of Bavaria, often called the "Mad King" or the "Fairy Tale King," reigned from 1864 until he died in 1886. Ludwig's most famous quirk was his obsession with extravagant castle-building projects. He often spent the entire treasury of Bavaria constructing them. For example, in 1869, he had workers start building Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps, inspired by the operatic works of his close friend Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein is a breathtaking masterpiece of Romantic architecture. Its fairy-tale-like appearance, with soaring turrets and ornate interiors, reflects Ludwig's deep love for the romanticized medieval past depicted in Wagner's operas.
Ludwig's devotion to Wagner bordered on obsession, and he often staged elaborate productions of Wagner's operas in his castles. These performances served as manifestations of Ludwig's romantic fantasies as he sought to immerse himself fully in the mythic worlds depicted in Wagner's music.
Scandals Arose Because of King Charles II of England's Womanizing
King Charles II of England, known as the "Merry Monarch," possessed a notorious reputation as a womanizer, indulging in numerous affairs throughout his reign. His love for the company of women was legendary, with a constant stream of mistresses who vied for his attention. Despite the disapproval of his advisors and the moralizing of his subjects, Charles remained unapologetic in his pursuit of pleasure. He viewed his brief sexual relationships as a natural expression of his kingly prerogative.
Charles II's bachelorhood allowed him to pursue his romantic interests without the constraints of marital obligations. He reveled in the excitement of courtship and the thrill of clandestine rendezvous. Often, he chose to participate in elaborate seduction rituals to win the favor of his mistresses. His escapades were the subject of much gossip and scandal. Yet, Charles remained unfazed, enjoying the attention and admiration of his choice of women. Slay, king!
Roman Emperor Frederick II Preferred Spending Time With Birds
Roman Emperor Frederick II had a passion for falconry that bordered on obsession. His love for the sport was unparalleled, and he transformed it into a refined art form. But he was not content merely to enjoy the sport. Instead, he immersed himself in every aspect of falconry culture. Frederick's court became a haven for falconers and enthusiasts, where he nurtured his fascination with birds of prey. His dedication extended to commissioning treatises on the art of falconry. Furthermore, he often implemented advanced training techniques. Once he mastered a technique, he invited others to learn it.
Frederick owned various exotic falcons, hawks, and eagles and meticulously trained and cared for them personally. His collection of birds was carefully selected from across his empire and beyond. He was renowned for his skill as a falconer, spending countless hours pursuing his feathered companions, often to the detriment of his royal duties.
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria Displayed Many Eccentric Behaviors
While known for her brilliance, Princess Alexandra of Bavaria had a number of quirks that raised eyebrows during her time. She was a notorious germaphobe who was obsessive about cleanliness. She refused to touch most people and objects, even turning sideways when going through doors to avoid touching the frames. She also insisted on only wearing white clothing, refusing any other color.
One of the most remarkable stories about Princess Alexandra is about how she believed that she swallowed a grand piano made of glass in her childhood, which is a very normal thing to think. Alexandra refused to marry during her lifetime, and passed away on the same day as her brother Prince Adalbert in September 1875.
