The last words of notable medieval figures provide insights into their personal values and the cultural context of their time. William II of England's last moment displayed a blend of bravado and misfortune during a hunting incident. Pope Pius II's farewell reflects the burdens of leadership and the presence of sycophants. Lorenzo de Medici exhibited acceptance of death as divine will, while Pope Alexander VI’s hallucinations illustrated his psychological turmoil. Additionally, Pope Urban V's desire for transparency in death and the feelings of shame expressed by King Henry II further emphasize the complexities of their characters.
William II of England, while hunting, shouted, "Shoot, you devil! Shoot, in the devil's name!" Just moments later, he was fatally struck by an errant arrow.
Pope Pius II, reflecting on the nature of power, lamented, "One of the miseries of princes is to have flatterers even around their deathbed."
As Lorenzo de Medici confronted his illness, he expressed a serene acceptance of death, stating, "If it is God's will, nothing can be more pleasant to me than death."
Pope Alexander VI, in his delirium, insisted, "Let it alone, for it is the devil! ... I am coming. I am coming. It is just. But wait a little."
Collection
[
|
...
]