John Lackland: " . . . His childhood nickname, Lackland, a cruel joke referring to his lack of inheritance due to his late and unexpected birth (Eleanor was 45 when she gave birth to John, a very old pregnancy by the standards of the Middle Ages), followed him throughout his life." (Anglotopia)
John Softsword: "Nor is it true that John antagonized elements of the baronage because he was lacking in martial prowess, or that the king was ‘Softsword’, as the chroniclers assert. His reluctance to commit to pitched battles was entirely conventional in an age when all leaders preferred to avoid them – John’s arch-enemy, Philip Augustus, King of France (r1180–1223) shied away from a setpiece battle at least as frequently as his protagonist. We should not mistake John’s military caution for cowardice. Instead, John prosecuted siege warfare with the sort of energy, determination and success that is usually only spoken of in reference to Henry II and Richard I." (Seel. Why ‘Bad King John’ was actually good @History Extra))
the Landless:
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| John Balliol King of Scots Toom Tabard @Wikipedia |
the Toom Tabard (the Empty Coat; King Nobody)
"Flitting aimlessly from place to place in the valleys of the north and south Esk during the first fortnight of July 1296, King John presented a sorry enough figure. At the old royal castle of Kincardine, on July 2nd, he confessed his rebellion in an abjectly humble document; in the kirkyard of Stracathro (July 7th) he renounced the French treaty; finally at Brechin Castle, on July 10th, he solemnly resigned his kingdom and royal dignity to the king of England. No detail of humiliation was spared. His surcoat or tabard was embroidered with a blazon of the royal arms. This blazon was stripped off, so that he should suffer a total loss of face. The act gave the Scots a merciless nickname for their wretched sovereign -- Toom Tabard, the empty surcoat which denoted King Nobody. . . ." (Barrow. Robert Bruce: 103)
John I Tzimiskes of the Byzantine Empire.
Ioannes I Tzimisces of Byzantine Empire:
Tzimiskes: "The name Tzimiskes, an Armenian word, was given to John on account of his short stature. . . ." (Finlay. A History of Greece: The Byzantine empire, pt. 1, A.D. 716-1057: 335)
Ioannes I Tzimisces of Byzantine Empire:
Tzimiskes: "The name Tzimiskes, an Armenian word, was given to John on account of his short stature. . . ." (Finlay. A History of Greece: The Byzantine empire, pt. 1, A.D. 716-1057: 335)
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| John II Comnenus the Good @Wikipedia |
the Good (Gr. Calojohannes, Kaloioannes; Rus. Krotkiy): "John Comnenus appears to have first received the nickname of Maurojoannes (black John) from his dark complexion (William of Tyre, xv 23, in Bongars, 885); but the love of his subjects changed it into Kalojoannes, which, in the mouths of the people, meant John the Good, not Handsome John." (Finlay. The Byzantine and Greek empires, pt. 2, A.D. 1057-1453: 130)
the Red Comyn:
the Black Comyn: "On the authority of Wyntoun . . . , modern historians usually call this John Comyn the 'Black Comyn' and his father and son the 'Red Comyn', as though these sobriquets had been used to distinguish three successive heads of the family named John. Contemporary evidence, however, proves that the John Comyn who was Balliol's brother-in-law and a competitor for the throne in 1291 was himself called the 'Red Comyn'. This, and the fact that the description could be written as one word, support the statement in the text that the title 'Red Comyn' was generally applied to the head of the senior branch of the Comyns, being comparable to the titles of Red and Black Douglas. . . ." (Barrow. Robert Bruce: 68)
the Red Comyn: "Sir John Comyn of Badenoch, son of Marjory, the sister of John Baliol, King of Scotland. He received this sobriquet from his ruddy complexion and red hair, to distinguish him from his kinsman, Black Comyn, whose hair was black and complexion swarthy. John Comyn was stabbed in the church of the Minorites at Dumfries by Sir Robert Bruce, and was afterwards despatched by Lindesay and Kirkpatrick." (Frey. Sobriquets and Nicknames, Vol. 1888: 298)
John X (Pope).
the Intruder:
John XII (Pope)
the Bad:
the Good: "John XIII, like John XII, was a member of the house of Theophylactus. But except for name and family he had little in common with his kinsman. John XII might have been called John the Bad; John XIII was called John the Good. . . Later he became a bishop. John himself, quite unlike John XII, was brought up strictly and educated at the Lateran with the young clerics. He served in the papal chancery, took part in the condemnation of his relative, John XII, and then in his restoration. With a reputation for learning and virtue he became papal librarian, then bishop of Narni. One homely detail, all too rare in these early biographies, comes down to us. John was nicknamed 'white hen' on account of his fair hair." (Brusher)
the White Hen:
John XV (Pope)
the Crescentius of the Marble Horse:
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
Time-Honored Lancaster (by Shakespeare):
John Plantagenet: "Bedford, John, Duke of, brother of King Henry V, and Regent of France during the minority of his nephew. 'The firebrand to poor France,' as he is styled by Drayton. . . ." (The Art Journal: 34)
John with the Leaden Sword (by Earl Douglas): "The Earl of Douglas, whose military fame was so great, received high honours from the King of France and was created Duke of Touraine. The Earls was used to ridicule the Duke of Bedford, who then acted as regent for Henry VI in France, and gave him the nickname of John with the leaden sword. . . ." (Scott. The Complete Works of Sir Walter Scott: 7)
the Firebrand to Poor France (by Drayton): "Bedford, John, Duke of, brother of King Henry V, and Regent of France during the minority of his nephew. 'The firebrand to poor France,' as he is styled by Drayton. . . ." (The Art Journal: 34)
the Scot:
Toom Tabard (Empty Jacket):
the Scot:
the Left-Handed:
the Fairborn:
| John Bowes 9th Earl of Strathmore the Beautiful Lord Strathmore |
the Beautiful Lord Strathmore
The Earl was famous for his appearance; he was known as "the beautiful Lord Strathmore". His character was later described by Jesse Foot thus: "The late Earl of Strathmore was not calculated to make even a good learned woman a pleasing husband. His Lordship's pursuits were always innocent and without the smallest guile, but they were not those of science or any other splendid quality. A sincere friend, a hearty Scotchman and a good bottle companion were points of his character." (Wikipedia)
Anne's Great Captain
Humphrey Hocus: " . . . who is described as an 'old cunning attorney,' who 'loved money,' and 'provided plentifully for his family; but he loved himself better than them all. . . ." (Sobriquets and Nicknames, Vol 1888: 158)
Judas on Both Sides: "Churchill's reputation, if not his pocket, did of course suffer from this exchange of masters. He became known as a 'Judas on both sides'. Yet seen in the light of his background it is neither as dishonourable nor as unlikely as it seems. The betrayal of James did nothing to gain the favour of William III, who while he was forced to use Churchill never trusted the smooth-talking Englishman. . . ." (The Age of Faction: Court Politics, 1660-1702: 80)
Silly: "Nickname of the Duke of Marlborough, from his constant use of this word when he disapproved of a suggestion: as 'Will your Grace besiege Lisle?' 'Oh, silly.' Will you besiege Ypres?' 'No, silly, silly!' (1650-1722)." (Brewer. The Historic Note-book: With an Appendix of Battles: 827)
the Silly Duke.
Jean de Saint-Michel:
John Carmichael:
the Hero of Bauge: "Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat (later of Carmichael) fought in France with the Scottish army that was sent to aid the French against an English invasion. The Battle of Baugé was fought in 1421 where Sir John Carmichael rode in combat against an English commander, unhorsed him and broke his own spear in the action.The English commander was the Duke of Clarence who was a Knight of the Garter and brother of Henry V of England. Carmichael's victory demoralized the English to the extent that they fled the field and to commemorate this, the Carmichaels bear a broken spear on their clan crest." (Wikipedia)
the Pedestrian Traveler:
John of Clarence (Sir)
the Bastard of Clarence: "Thomas' illegitimate son John Clarence accompanied his father's body from Baugé to Canterbury Cathedral, where he was buried in St. Michael's Chapel. Sir John Clarence was granted lands in Ireland by Henry V. The French Langlée family later claimed descent from him." (Geni)
Grey John (Gae. Iain Glas):
Old Rag:
Black-Hearted Clifford:
Butcher Clifford:
Butcher Clifford:
the Butcher: " . . . He was extensively engaged in the wars of his time; and, in 1460, being in the battle of Wakefield, and siding with the King (Henry VI.) who gained the victory, he is said to have made so great a slaughter, that he was from that time called the butcher. . . ." (Burke: 32)
the Black Cock of the West:
the Black:
the Black Comyn:Red Comyn:
the Second Red Comyn:
the Fatherless (Wel. Tadody):
Fighting Vere:
the Fighting Earl of Oxford:
the Second Red Comyn:
the Fatherless (Wel. Tadody):
With the Bright Sword: " . . . Sir John was legendary for his bravery, and was known as 'Graham with the Bright Sword.” (Nethery)
the Fighting Earl of Oxford:
Bobbing John: "He was nicknamed 'Bobbing John,' probably because of his political vacillation." (Encyclopedia)
John Fitz Edmund FitzGerald.
the Chief Man of Service Among the Rebels:
the Achilles of England, the English Achilles: "Another Fitzalan to excel in the War was John, 7th Earl. He stood over six feet tall and was nicknamed the 'English Achilles' and was a distinguished soldier. He was created Duke of Touraine by the Regent Bedford in 1434 but died the following year after having his leg amputated after the Battle of Beauvais. He was brought back and buried in the Fitzalan Chapel minus his leg and his splendid Tomb can be seen today. One effigy of him in full armour and the other below of him in Death." (Arundel Castle)
Crouchback:
Shane Cam:
John Menteith of Ruskie (Sir)
the King of Northamptonshire:
Lord Gowran:
Jack French:
Viscount French:
Bloody Clavers, Bluidy Clavers:
Bonnie Dundee; Bonny Dundee:
--"Bonny Dundee – John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (1650 – 1689). Having gained military experience in France and Holland, Claverhouse (pronounced "clavers") he became a lieutenant, then captain of a troop in Monmouth's regiment shortly after his return to Britain in 1677. Fought against the Covenanters in their revolt from 1679, where he gained a reputation of ruthlessness. ("Bloody Clavers"). After James VII's expulsion, he led the first Jacobite army – starting out from Dundee with only fifty dragoons. Raising thousands of Highlanders, he was victorious against Gen. Hugh MacKay at Killiecrankie 1689, but was gutshot by a ball that missed his breastplate. He died that the later that evening. Numerous songs still exist about Dundee and Killiecrankie." (Vavreck)
--" . . . Viscount Dundee (John Graham of Claverhouse) had returned to Scotland after the flight of James VII & II with a troop of fifty horsemen from his old regiment. . . Viscount Dundee ('Bonnie Dundee', as he would son be nicknamed, instead of 'Bluidy Clavers') had realised by now that Edinburgh was becoming too dangerous for him. . . ." (Magnusson: 513)
John Graham (Sir) of Kylbride.
Sir John with the Bright Sword: " . . . This Sir Patrick Graham was killed in 1413 by Sir John Drummond, and left an only child, Malise, also known as Earl of Strathearn. It was he whom King James I. deprived of the earldom, on the plea that it was a male fief, and made Earl of Menteith instead; and it was this action which moved the Earl’s uncle, Sir Robert Graham, to renounce his allegiance, and to plot and carry out the assassination of the King at Perth. It should be remembered, however, that in this plot Earl Malise himself seems to have had no share. He lived till 1492, and left three sons, from the eldest of whom descended the Earls of Menteith and Airth, and from the second, Sir John Graham of Kilbryde, near Doune, known for his valour as 'Sir John with the bright sword. . . .'" (Clan Graham)
John, Lord Hervey
Paris:
John Manners (Sir)
That Nobody:
John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu.
Planter John:
the Planter:
John Moore (Sir).
Moore of Corunna.
John Pakington (Sir).
Lusty Pakington: "Flushed from their efforts to be dignified under scrutiny and generally to please, the young maids naturally caught the eyes of the men about the court -- the great men like Leicester, whose good looks attracted women other than the queen, or the less mighty politically and socially but withal handsome, athletic and improvident Sir John Pakington -- 'Lusty Pakington' as the queen cheerfully called him. . . ." (Sex in Elizabethan England)
Dumbcannon: "His political career was hampered by a noted stammer, which made him a very reluctant public speaker: as Lord Duncannon he was unkindly nicknamed “Dumbcannon”. In private on the other hand he was a valued colleague, due largely to his ability to keep his head in a crisis. He was one of the so-called Committee of Four who drafted the Reform Act 1832." (The Things That Catch My Eye)
Finality Jack (by the Radicals): "Lord John Russell made this speech as part of his Address at the meeting of the first parliament of Queen Victoria's reign. As was customary on the accession of a new monarch, there had been a general election: this was one of a succession of general elections while the Whigs held office. Thomas Wakley, the MP for Finsbury, had proposed that the Reform Act of 1832 should be amended to include a further extension of the franchise, the introduction of a secret ballot and the repeal of the Septennial Act that required a general election to be held every seven years. Russell opposed these changes and it is from this speech that he acquired the nickname 'Finality Jack'." (A Web of English History)
the Widow's Mite: "Russell, a Whig from the cradle was a puny child, the favourite of his mother who died when he was nine. Standing 5 feet 4 1/2 inches and weighing about eight stone when fully grown, he was dubbed 'the widow's mite' after his first marriage. He was never dangerously ill, but a delicate constitution and recurrent minor ailments disrupted his schooling, which was slipshod and academically deficient, and seriously interfered with the early stages of his parliamentary career. . . ." (Thome: 66)
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| John Sheffield 1st Duke of Buckingham King John @Wikipedia |
King John
"On October 31, 1682, it was reported that John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave, had long been making 'private addresses' to Princess Anne, and had given her various 'songs and letters.' Learning of Mulgrave's folly, the Duke of York forbade him the Court, and the King deprived him of all his offices. . . After this episode the Town nicknamed Mulgrave 'King John.'" (:108)
Numps
"In 1677 Mulgrave served briefly in the French army under Marshal Turenne. In 1679 he became Lord Lieutenant of the Eat Riding of Yorkshire and Governor of Hull. In 1680 he commanded an expedition for the relief of Tangier. In October, 1682, he was forbidden the Court because he had tried to make love to Princess Anne. 'Some believe his proceeding so far as to spoil her marrying anyone else, and therefore the Town have given him the nickname of 'King John'. . . He was also called, contemptuously, 'Numps.'" (Wilson. Court Satires of the Restoration: 270)
the Misery at Once and the Darling of His Grandmother (by Perdita Robinson):
John Stewart.
Jack Boot: " . . . According to historian John Naish, the 18th-century expression 'Jack Boot' meaning a stupid person originated as disparagement of Stuart's performance as Prime Minister." (Wikipedia)
Sir Pertinax MacSycophant:
the Minister Behind the Curtain (by Burke): "George III admired Bute and relied heavily upon his advice even after Bute had left political life. However, he still advised the king privately which led to Burke's suspicions of the 'Minister behind the Curtain' later. It was Bute who taught the king to mistrust politicians." (A Web of English History)
the Northern Thane:
John Stewart.
the Black Stewart: "The Stuarts of Bute are descended from John Stewart, a natural son of Robert II, who was granted the lands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae by his father. He was known as the 'Black Stewart,' to distinguish him from his brother, John of Dundonald, who became known as the 'Red Stewart.'" (Scots Connection - Stewart Clan)
Brave Talbot (by Shakespeare): "The figure of John Talbot is all but immortalized by Shakespeare, and 1 Henry VI is largely based upon his deeds in France during the war. At the play's beginning we find that Talbot has been captured by the French (after the historical Battle of Patay) due to the cowardly actions of one Sir John Fastolf (a man who later deserts Talbot for a second time and is subsequently humiliated by the brave warrior for his despicable actions). Bedford makes sure that Talbot is immediately ransomed (although historically Talbot remained a French prisoner for four years). Talbot continues to fight for the English, appearing at the sieges of Orleans (where his friend Salisbury is killed) and Rouen, even fighting in single combat with Joan of Arc. For his bravery he is created Earl of Shrewsbury by King Henry. In the end, Talbot's life is tragically cut short when he is deserted by the armies of the Dukes of York and Somerset, who are quarreling over who should relieve the earl against the French. After first seeing his son die in battle, Talbot himself dies and is mocked by the French. Talbot is most certainly the tragic hero of the play, fighting against insurmountable odds and only losing because of the disreputable actions of his own countrymen." (Shakespeare & History)
the Achilles of England, the English Achilles: John Talbot " . . . is called 'The English Achilles,' renowned in the French wars. . . Shakespeare calls him 'The Terror of France' with historical correctness, his name at the time having really become proverbial in that country... In 1453 he marched to the relief of Castillon, then besieged by the French, and was killed by a cannon ball in the eightieth year of his age; one of his sons also fell with him on the field of battle, and the English, no longer sustained by his heroic arm, were soon after expelled from France." (Appletons' Cyclopædia of Biography: 919)
the Terror of France (by Shakespeare):
the Butcher:
the Butcher of England:
--"Worcester was detested for his brutality and abuse of the law, and was called 'the butcher of England'. . . ." (Luminarium)
--" . . . Reappointed constable, Worcester condemned numerous rebels to be hanged, drawn and quartered. He won for himself the sobriquet 'butcher of England' by impaling, apparently without the king's consent, the heads and bodies of the condemned traitors, an innovation in the traditional mode of execution that many English people found particularly distasteful. . . ." (Wagner: 267)
the Profane Earl:
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