Biggest Bastards in British History

[Wannabestepfordwife]

I've read through the Henry VIII what a bastard thread and it's made me wonder who is the biggest bastard in British history.

My historical knowledge is pretty limited to the wars of the roses and Tudor era so it would be great to learn about some new historical figures.

My nominations are-
Earl of Warwick (the kingmaker)- a vicious bastard to all that encountered him.
Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard)- a reprehensible man with seemingly few redeeming qualities but I can't help but like and be fascinated by him
Thomas Boleyn- Odious man pimping his daughters out and discarding them when they were no longer useful
Cromwell both Thomas and Oliver
Duke of Northumberland (John Dudley)- the way he used Lady Jane Grey to further his own ends with no regard for her welfare.
Duke of Suffolk (Henry Grey)- the indefensible way he treated him daughter I don't know who was worse him or his wife

Blair. No contest.

Agree onesleep history will judge him harshly

Most of yours are from a time I'm very interested in. I agree, especially Boleyn. In those days women were viewed differently ( well here at least) but still abhorrent behaviour.

I came on to say Blair.

Also Matthew Hopkins - witchfinder. He was responsible for a lot of misery in the East in the 1600s. In the 14 or so months of their rampage Hopkins basically murdered more people than all the other witch-hunters in about 150 odd years of witch huntery in England put together.

Richard III (I know some will disagree)

snapeandlily (love the name btw) never heard of him before but im going to have to read up.

magicalrift out of interest why?

I've just had a quick google of Matthew Hopkins. Looks like a thrilling read.
Wonder what he'd have made of his great great great granddaughter Katie.

I can't find Thomas Cromwell a bastard but I'll swap you him for Thomas more.

Onesleep - he'd've loved her, I expect!

rhondajean yy More's always put a chill down my spine I've always imagined him as a Fred Phelps type of character

Margaret Thatcher

Worse than anyone - not necessarily because of her personally but because of the legacy

Alan B'stard? God rest his soul

Not Thomas More! He was exactly like in A Man For All Seasons, he was, he was!

I think Matthew Hopkins is a good call.

I was coming in to suggest Blair too!

Edward II - neglected pretty much everything and spent all his time and money on his allegedly gay lovers.

Edward II was definitely a twat! I always wondered if Isabella was half as bad as she's been made out to be and Mortimer sounded like a bit of a bastard.

If Edward II is being included I think Richard II needs to be he was the same as Edward II but went back on his word to the peasants in the peasants revolt ( I am biased as I'm a little bit in love with john of gaunt)

I've read that Isabella was pretty awesome but just that history has not been kind. I don't think you can beat Margaret of anjou as superbitch.

I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for Mortimer. He wasn't a bastard, just a bad boy.

Thatcher

I suspect Henry II was not very nice. All of his children ended up disliking him - Richard went to war with him and he locked up his wife for many years because she objected to his mistress. Nice.

Blair.

Henry I blinded and mutilated is own granddaughters, which is a pretty bastardly thing to do.

William de Braose was a bit of a bastard

Grrr

We don't think much of him in Abergavenny #grudge

To be fair to Henry I, although he was admittedly ruthless and did possibly murder his own brother, he allowed the blinding of his granddaughters rather than doing it himself. It was in retaliation for his daughter blinding someone else's son. I think they had their noses cut off too. Nice times!

Yes, he did have their noses cut off, poor little girls :( I think that he was considered to be a wise and fair king shows what a different time it was.

I don't know anything about Henry I but will definitely be having a read up.

deep I had never heard of him but yes what an utter bastard!

I am conflicted over Henry II he was a twat to his family especially sleeping with Richard's fiancée however I do wonder if he had been marrow to someone a bit more pliable whether he would have had a happier family life ( I do love Eleanor of Aquitane though). I don't understand his obsession with Thomas Beckett though he was insufferable.