An unnamed French king is described as vicious in battle yet affectionate toward his family. In the anecdote, he carries his son on his back while playing horse when a Spanish ambassador enters the room. He asks whether the ambassador is a father and uses the answer to explain why he must finish the ride. Tenderness toward his own family coexists with cruelty toward other people. Historical judgement needs to accommodate those conflicting aspects without erasing harmful actions or ruling out unequivocal condemnation where it is warranted.
Notable Point · 4:08:57-4:10:30
Historical judgement and human complexity
A ruler's brutality and tenderness can coexist without cancelling either aspect of a biography.