Random Historical Leaders Who Were Conned by Their Closest Advisors (18 items)

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  (#15) Henry VI of England

  • Dec. at 50 (1421-1471)

  A naive and pious king who never lied, Henry VI dedicated almost all of his time to prayer and religious studies; he was not interested in politics or state affairs at all. Due to this, a small group of advisors had full run of the country. Henry was prone to fits of psychosis and depression and eventually declared unfit to rule. This led to relatives and advisors fighting for control of England in what became known as The War of the Roses. 
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  (#4) Elagabalus

  • Dec. at 19 (203-222)

  Elagabus became Emperor of Rome at 14, only to be murdered at 19. The vastly unpopular ruler was known for sexual perversion, lavish spending, attempts to force his own religion on Rome, and pretending to be a prostitute. His family convinced him to name an heir in the hopes of replacing him. Elagabus then ordered a Praetorian guard to execute his heir. The guard, who was probably bribed, killed Elagabalus instead. 
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  (#14) Charles IX of France

  • Dec. at 24 (1550-1574)

  Charles IX was a mentally unstable sadist who demanded thousands of Protestants be murdered during his sister's wedding celebrations, in what became known as the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. He was prone to sores, weakness, and dementia. He was crowned at the age of 10, and his mother, Catherine de' Medici, controlled his rule obsessively. She took advantage of her mad son by managing all state decisions, reading all documents before he signed them, and never letting him be alone, even while sleeping. 
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  (#3) Nicholas II of Russia

  • Dec. at 50 (1868-1918)

  Nicholas II, last Czar of Russian, was tricked by the famous mystic Rasputin, who won favor with the Czar and his wife by convincing them he cured their son of hemophilia, which is scientifically impossible. The Czarina considered him one of her closest advisors. Though his political influence was relatively minor, Rasputin made several correct predictions, including the death of Nicholas and his entire family, which came when the Russian Revolution toppled the Czarist government.  
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  (#10) Wladyslaw III of Poland

  Wladyslaw III of Poland was only 10 when he was crowned king, and during his 10 year reign virtually all decisions were made or manipulated by his advisor,  Zbigniew Oleśnicki, nobleman and bishop. Oleśnicki managed to install Wladyslaw as King of Hungary, and guided him through making peace with the Ottomans, only to break the accord days later. This breach led to Wladyslaw's death at the hands of the Turks, during the battle of Varna. 
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  (#8) Christian VII of Denmark

  • Dec. at 59 (1749-1808)

  Christian VII was a frail, unstable, stupid, self-centered monarch, and universally disliked. As his physical and mental state declined, his doctor, Johann Friedrich Struensée, seized control of the country. Struensée got himself appointed Cabinet Secretary to the King and oversaw all official documents, while having a torrid affair with Christian's wife, Queen Caroline Mathilde, who bragged about their relationship to anyone who would listen. It's rumored Struensée fathered one of the royal children. 

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