Nicknames of Historical Personages

by eddiego65 in History, June 1, 2008

Nicknames of some historical personalities, some of which are quite unique and amusing.

Frederick I of Wurttemberg, “The Great Belly-Gerent”

The first king of Wurttemberg (1805-1816), part of modern day Baden-Wurttemberg state in southwestern Germany. He received the nickname “The Great Belly-Gerent” for his extreme obesity, about which Napoleon I (Bonaparte) of France remarked that he was especially created by God to demonstrate how far human skin can stretch without breaking.

John George I of Saxony, “Beer Jug”

“Johann Georg I of Saxony” (1652), Portrait by Franz Luycx.

Succeeded Christian I as elector of Saxony in 1611 and governed for forty five years. He was given the name “Beer Jug” because of his addiction to alcoholic beverages particularly beer, which, in combination with his indecision, would cost his electorate precious opportunities for possible dominance and territorial expansion.

Ragnar “Lodbrok”

One of the more celebrated Vikings in history; he lived his life as a pirate, invading and raiding nation after nation, and came to rule as king of Denmark, Sweden and Finland around the eighth or ninth century. He earned the cognomen “Lodbrok”, which means “Hairy Breeches,” because of his special fondness for wearing trousers sewn out of animal skins.

Malcolm IV, the Maiden

Succeeded his grandfather David I as king of Scotland in 1153 when he was only eleven years old. Later historians would give him the nickname “The Maiden”, not in any way to suggest any lack of strength on his part but because for the vow of chastity he had made, for his profound religious zeal and for having died unmarried at a very young age of twenty three in 1165.

Charles II of Spain (Carlos II el Hechizado)

“King Charles II of Spain“ by Don Carreno de Miranda

The last Habsburg king of Spain (1675-1770). He suffered from frequent bouts of epileptic seizures, mental retardation and severe physical defect, which rendered him unable to govern effectively. He was nicknamed “El Hechizado”, Spanish for “The Bewitched,” in the belief that his disabilities were the result of his being possessed by demons, that priests were often summoned to exorcise him.

Manuel Noriega, “Pineapple Face”

Military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989. Infamous for his cruelty and barbarity, he was eventually sentenced to be jailed at a US federal prison for crimes that include murder, drug trafficking, money-laundering and human rights abuses in 1992. His detractors gave him the contemptuous nickname “Pineapple face” on account of his pockmarked face.