Throughout history, there have been several monarchs who ascended to the throne at a very young age. Many of them inherited their kingdom due to the untimely death of their father or older sibling. Ruling at such a tender age came with great challenges, as these boy kings had to quickly learn statecraft and assert their authority. Some managed to rise to the occasion and leave lasting legacies, while others crumbled under the weight of such huge responsibility. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous child kings in history and learn about their unprecedented rise to power.
King Tutankhamun of Egypt
One of the most well-known boy kings in history is Tutankhamun of Egypt’s 18th dynasty. When his father Akhenaten died around 1334 BC, young Tut was only 7 years old. As Akhenaten’s only surviving male heir, Tut was next in line to inherit the throne. His reign began around 1332 BC when he was barely 8 or 9 years old. As Tut was too young to rule on his own, his vizier Ay and army commander Horemheb served as regents and helped him govern the kingdom. Tut died prematurely at the age of 19 after just 10 years on the throne. Despite his short reign, King Tut achieved fame centuries later when his richly adorned but intact tomb was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.
Key Facts
- Name: Tutankhamun
- Dynasty: 18th dynasty of Egypt
- Reign: c. 1332–1323 BC
- Ascended Throne At: Age 8 or 9
Emperor Shōmu of Japan
In ancient Japan, becoming an emperor at a young age was not uncommon due to the frequent succession disputes plaguing the imperial family. One such emperor who took the throne as a child was Shōmu. He was born in 701 CE as Prince Mamate and was the grandson of Emperor Monmu. His father died when he was just 6 years old. The following year in 707 CE, his grandfather Monmu abdicated the throne and 7-year-old Shōmu became the new emperor. However, his mother Fujiwara no Miyako ruled as empress regnant for the first 9 years of Shōmu’s reign until he came of age. Emperor Shōmu is known for establishing the powerful Buddhist monastery called Tōdai-ji in Nara. This monastery complex houses the Daibutsu or Great Buddha statue, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks today.
Key Facts
- Name: Emperor Shōmu
- Reign: 724-749 CE
- Ascended Throne At: Age 7
- Notable Achievement: Established the Tōdai-ji temple and Great Buddha statue
King Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV had the longest reign in European history, ruling France for 72 years from 1643 to 1715. But he actually became king at the tender age of 4 after the death of his father Louis XIII. Given his minority, his mother Queen Anne served as regent until Louis came of age. Cardinal Mazarin, the chief minister of France, also helped Anne govern. Louis XIV formally took control of the throne when he turned 22. He moved the royal court to Versailles and imposed absolute monarchical rule. His lengthy reign is referred to as the Grand Siècle or Great Century, during which France became the most powerful country in Europe. However, his constant wars brought great suffering to the common people.
Key Facts
- Name: Louis XIV
- Reign: 1643-1715 (72 years)
- Ascended Throne At: Age 4
- Notable Achievement: Built the Palace of Versailles
Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary Stuart was only 6 days old when she ascended the Scottish throne in 1542 upon the death of her father King James V. Her reign was immediately beset by political turmoil and ambition by nobles who tried to gain control over the infant queen. She spent most of her childhood in France while Scotland was ruled by regents. At 16, Mary returned to Scotland to properly take the reins of power. However, her Catholic faith and pro-French policies created religious conflicts with the Protestant Scottish nobility. She was forced to abdicate in 1567 and imprisoned for nearly 19 years by Queen Elizabeth I before her eventual execution.
Key Facts
- Name: Mary, Queen of Scots
- Reign: 1542-1567
- Ascended Throne At: 6 days old
- Notable Achievement: First-ever female monarch of Scotland
King John I of France
John I, also called John the Posthumous, was the youngest person to ever hold the French throne. He was born in 1316, several months after the death of his father King Louis X. Since he was still in his mother’s womb when his father died, he was referred to as the posthumous son of Louis X. As the only surviving male heir, he became king immediately after his birth. However, the infant king lived for just 5 days before passing away due to an unknown illness or medical condition. His uncle Philip took over as regent and succeeded him as King Philip V.
Key Facts
- Name: John I
- Reign: 1316 (5 days)
- Ascended Throne At: Birth
- Notable Fact: Shortest reign of any French monarch
King Henry VI of England
Henry VI holds the distinction for being the youngest monarch to ever sit on the English throne. He was less than 9 months old when his father, King Henry V, died in 1422 from dysentery while on a military campaign. As Henry VI’s minority was expected to be long, his uncles were appointed to govern. Throughout his reign, Henry VI proved to be unfit for the demands of kingship. He suffered from bouts of mental illness that incapacitated him for months. This led him to lose the English lands in France his father had fought to win. Henry VI was eventually deposed and murdered during the War of the Roses.
Key Facts
- Name: Henry VI
- Reign: 1422-1461 and 1470-1471
- Ascended Throne At: 8 months old
- Notable Fact: Was deposed not once but twice during his reign
Emperor Taizong of Song China
Emperor Taizong was coronated in 976 CE at the age of 8, becoming one of the youngest emperors in Chinese history. His father Emperor Taizu founded the Song dynasty but died just 6 years later after suffering a stroke. As the second son, Taizong was not meant to be heir but ascended after his older brother died prematurely. Taizong proved to be a capable and compassionate ruler who focused on reforming the government. He helped establish the Song dynasty which oversaw major economic prosperity and social progress. Taizong is ranked among the most benevolent and able emperors of China.
Key Facts
- Name: Emperor Taizong of Song
- Reign: 976 – 997 CE
- Ascended Throne At: Age 8
- Notable Achievement: Considered one of China’s most enlightened emperors
King Sobhuza II of Swaziland
In 1899 at just 4 months old, Sobhuza II was crowned as the king of Swaziland after the death of his father. As a baby king, his grandmother Labotsibeni served as queen regent until 1921 when Sobhuza II took direct control of the throne. At 82 years, he holds the record for the longest verifiable reign of any monarch in history. King Sobhuza II is known for his effective governance and for leading Swaziland’s independence movement against British colonizers. He abolished racial discrimination and allowed political parties in Swaziland. Sobhuza II had an eventful personal life as well with over 70 wives and 210 children.
Key Facts
- Name: Sobhuza II
- Reign: 1899 – 1982
- Ascended Throne At: 4 months old
- Notable Fact: Longest verifiable reign of any monarch in history (82 years)
Emperor Ismail I of Morocco
Ismail I was proclaimed sultan of Morocco in 1672 at the age of 9. His reign coincided with the downfall of the Saadi dynasty and rise of the Alaouite dynasty. Ismail spent years sidelined as a child ruler until he garnered enough support to overthrow those acting as regents. He proved himself to be an iron-fisted ruler, forging a unified Moroccan state through ruthless means. At its peak, his empire stretched from the Niger River to the Senegal River. However, his ambitious projects and wars left the royal treasury bankrupt. Ismail I is also known for transforming Meknes into an imperial city with impressive architecture.
Key Facts
- Name: Ismail Ibn Sharif
- Reign: 1672-1727
- Ascended Throne At: Age 9
- Notable Achievement: Expanded Morocco into largest kingdom in North Africa
Comparison of Boy Kings
Name | Age at Coronation | Reign | Notable Achievements |
---|---|---|---|
Tutankhamun | 8 or 9 | c. 1332–1323 BC | Discovery of rich intact tomb in 1922 |
Emperor Shōmu | 7 | 724-749 CE | Built Tōdai-ji temple and Great Buddha statue |
Louis XIV | 4 | 1643-1715 | Built Palace of Versailles |
Mary, Queen of Scots | 6 days | 1542-1567 | First female monarch of Scotland |
John I | Birth | 1316 (5 days) | Shortest reign of any French monarch |
Henry VI | 8 months | 1422-1461 and 1470-1471 | Deposed twice during his reign |
Emperor Taizong | 8 | 976 – 997 CE | Considered one of China’s most enlightened emperors |
Sobhuza II | 4 months | 1899 – 1982 | Longest verifiable reign of any monarch (82 years) |
Ismail I | 9 | 1672-1727 | Expanded Morocco into largest North African kingdom |
Challenges of Ruling as a Child
Based on the historical accounts of these young kings, we can glean some understanding of the unique challenges posed by ascending to power at such a tender age:
- Lack of governing experience – Child rulers had to quickly learn complex matters of statecraft and leadership for which they were unprepared.
- Vulnerable to manipulation – Adult regents could take advantage to advance their own agendas and political interests.
- Threats from opportunistic relatives – Royals seeking power often plotted against the boy kings.
- Rebellions and succession disputes – Their minority reigns were often fraught with unrest and civil wars.
- Inadequate education – Most child kings lacked the education and training expected of monarchs at that time.
Regents tried to fill the knowledge gaps but having the maturity and intelligence to make major decisions of state is incredibly difficult at such young ages. Boy kings had to grow up fast and assert their dominance to gain credibility as rulers. Those who failed to do so often met tragic ends. The ones we remember today managed to successfully navigate their way and leave noteworthy legacies.
Ideal Age to Become King
While there are exceptions, history shows that assuming the crown before reaching adulthood can jeopardize the reign. The ideal age to become king seems to be in the late teens or early 20s when there is a balance between the vitality of youth and the wisdom gleaned from education and life experience. Some examples include:
- Alexander the Great (Macedonia) – Ascended at 20 and went on to build one of the largest ancient empires.
- Akbar the Great (Mughal India) – Took the throne at 13 but consolidated power only after reaching adulthood.
- Peter the Great (Russia) – Officially became tsar at 17 and brought major reforms.
- Louis XV (France) – Started governing independently at the age of 13 after his regent died.
- Edward VI (England) – Inherited the crown at 9 but did not truly rule until his mid-teens.
Based on their success, starting reign around late adolescence seems to provide the right balance for most. But mental aptitude and support systems matter more than mere age. Sobhuza II of Swaziland was only 4 months old but ruled for 82 remarkably stable years with the help of his grandmother and advisors.
Conclusion
The extraordinary stories of boy kings rising to power illustrate how the course of history often rests on the shoulders of highly improbable figures. Inheriting crowns and kingdoms while still children was usually the result of tragedy or questionable succession practices. Thrust into the spotlight, some crumbled while others shone brightly. The feats achieved by young monarchs like Tutankhamun, Louis XIV, and Sobhuza II continue to astonish us today. Their early adventures set the stage for legends that endure across centuries. While their experience highlights the heaviness of wearing a crown in childhood, it also demonstrates the resilience of human spirit.