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10 Kings who died in Battle

In Ancient Times kings normally joined their armies to match out and fight against their enemies. Sometimes, they returned home victorious other times in defeat. Sometimes, they returned home safe and sound, and other times with serious injuries. Sometimes they didn’t return at all but died on the battlefield.

During the Middle Ages, battles were considered the duty of the aristocracy. Noblemen would become knights in the service of their King. In turn, the King had to prove he was the bravest and strongest of them all by leading his troops into battle.

Kings were a big target on the battlefield. Bringing down a King could often turn the tide of war. Therefore, at times the Kings stayed away, or plans were made to protect the King such as by having decoys. However, Kings continued to stand by their troops in battle up through the 20th century.

Here are some examples of kings who died in battle:

1. King Harold II

King Harold II places the crown on his head. Painting by Anonymus –

Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon ruler of England. After killing the Viking king, Harold Sigurdsson, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, England’s Harold famously fell near Hastings just a few days later.

Reports on how the ruler died to differ. Some suggest that Harold was fatally cleaved in a scuffle with Norman knights led by William the Conqueror. However, others suggest that the ill-fated monarch took an arrow in the eye.

In any case, with their king slain, the Anglo-Saxons fled the field and eventually ceded control of England to William.

2. King Richard I

King Richard I – Painting by Joseph Blondel –

Richard, I was the eldest surviving son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

He became heir after the death of his older brother in 1183. During his reign, which lasted ten years, he lived in England for a few months and never learned English.

He was nicknamed the Lionhearted for his prowess on the battlefield.

He died in 1199 at the age of 42, from a crossbow bolt in Aquitaine, France while taking on some rebellious nobles. After being shot in the neck while inspecting a siege, his wound became infected and he died.

3. Richard III

Richard III of England. Painting by unknown author –

Richard III became King of England in 1483 after deposing his nephew, Edward V.

He fell in 1485 during one of the last battles of the War of the Roses a conflict that pitted England’s ruling House of York against the Tudors.

Richard was badly outnumbered and some of the key supporters defected to the enemy. He tried to pull off a daring reversal. He led a hasty cavalry charge across Bosworth Field right at the enemy leader, Henry Tudor himself. The resulting massacre led to Richard being struck in the head by a poleaxe so hard it drove his helmet into his skull.

4. King Ahab

Jezabel and Ahab Meeting Elijah in Naboth’s Vineyard Giclee. Print by Sir Francis Dicksee –

King Ahab was a biblical king.

War broke out between Israel and Syria. King Ahab allied with King Jehoshaphat to go to battle. King Ahab disguised himself.

The King of Syria had commanded his captains to only seek the King of Israel. They at first thought King Jehoshaphat was the King of Israel. They stopped pursuing him after they saw that he was not.

One Syrian drew his bow randomly striking the King of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. The battle continued while the King of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. He died at sunset.

5. King Josiah

The death of King Josiah. Photo by Antonio Zanchi –

Neco, King of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on River Euphrates. King Josiah of Judah mustered his army to face him in battle. King Neco sent envoys to warn King Josiah to stop opposing God, lest he destroyed him.

Nevertheless, King Josiah did not turn away from him. He disguised himself to fight with him. He did not heed the words of Neco.

The Egyptian archers shot King Josiah randomly. He died at Megiddo. His servants brought him to Jerusalem. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for King Josiah.

6. King Saul

Detail from an 1878 oil painting. Ernst Josephson –

King Saul’s reign was full of wars between the Israelites and the Philistines. One ended his life.

In that particular war, the Philistines fought hard against Israel. The Israelites fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines chased and overtook Saul and his sons. The Philistine archers shot arrows at King Saul and wounded him badly.

Saul commanded his armor-bearer to kill him with his sword. He feared being captured and tortured. The armor-bearer could not do it. Saul took his sword and fell upon it. Seeing his King dead, the armor-bearer fell upon his sword and died with him.

7. Henry II

Henry II of England. Photo by David Cole –

Henry II was the King of England from 19 December 1154 until his death on 6 July 1189.

He was a proud, energetic, and tireless man who was interested in government and law. He made use of juries and re-introduced the sending of justices on regular tours of the country to try cases for the Crown.

For his legal reforms, he is considered the founder of English Common Law.

His achievements were almost wrecked by family disputes over territorial ambitions.

Henry II died in France in 1189, while at war with his son Richard, who allied with King Philip of France to attack Normandy.

8. William I the conqueror

King William I (‘The Conqueror’. Photo by unknown author –Wikimedia

King William was born in 1028, as the illegitimate son of Duke Robert I of Normandy and a young woman called Herlev, the daughter of a Falaise tanner.

He was however surprisingly recognized as the family’s heir upon his father’s death in 1035. He inherited the Duchy of Normandy.

The King was fighting a counter-offensive against the French in July 1087 when he fell against the pommel of his saddle and badly damaged his intestines.

The 59-year-old Duke of Normandy was taken to his Duchy’s capital Rouen after the accident but was unable to recover from his injuries. He died five weeks later.

9. Constantine I of Scotland

Constantine I. Portrait by Jacob Jacobsz de Wet II –

Constantine I was the King of Scotland or Alba, the united kingdom of the Picts and Scots. He succeeded his uncle Donald I.

Constantine’s reign was occupied with conflicts with the Norsemen.

Constantine was probably slain at a battle at Inverdovat in Fife, at the hands of another band of northern marauders. His heir was his brother Aed, who was killed by the Scots after a year and was succeeded by a nephew, Eochaid.

10. King Sebastian I of Portugal

King Sebastian of Portugal. Photo by Cristóvão de Morais –

King Sebastian I was born in 1554. He was born two weeks after the death of his father and therefore became the heir.

He took the throne when he was just 3 and was 14 when he took over the throne. He was credited as being a bright and fearless boy, though he tended to hide from visitors.

He was much loved by his people but he dreamed of a crusade against Morocco. When a succession struggle occurred in Morocco he saw his opportunity. He led his army despite the wishes of his advisors. He disappeared during the battle. He left no heir and Portugal declined following his disappearance.