Pretenders & Usurpers (impostering heads of state) - in Euro history, any who we

Question: Pretenders & Usurpers (impostering heads of state) - in Euro history, any who were punished/executed/mobbed!?

I'm chasing down a little history theory!. I'm guessing that there are plenty of examples in the past of Europeans turning on individuals who usurped popular rulers or pretended to be kings, or ruling officials!. I'm seeking famous stories but will take any!. French Revolution excluded, are there any examples in European history of "the people" revolting against a fake king or other type of ruler!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Have a look @ Russia's "Time of Troubles" (1598-1613)!. Various pretenders, "the false Dmitris," arose pertaining to be descenants of the Rurik (Muskovite) line!. Certainly they were done away with by popular force, or moreover a conveluted collection of different popular forces, repressenting the deep division in society Russian society!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm not sure if this falls into what you are looking for, but many considered Richard III of England a usurper (I myself am undecided, but that is a HUGE story)!. While there was no peasant revolt, many nobles did join Henry Tudor and the House of Lancaster to bring Richard down at the Battle of Bosworth Field, 2 years after his accession!. However, this was heavily tied to the politics of the time and the Wars of the Roses, both of which may have been more of a factor in Richard's defeat than an uprising against a usurper, no matter what Tudor propaganda went on to tell us!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Try the story of Pugachev, a peasant leader that pretended to be Tsar Peter III, the imprisoned husband of Catherine the Great!. Pugachev led a rebellion that had the potential to overthrow Catherine the Great!. However, Pugachev was handed in and captured!.

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