Albert I was King of the Belgians from 1909 to 1934 and is most remembered for his heroic leadership during the dark days of World War I. A softspoken, upright, deeply religious man, he refused to allow German forces to violate Belgian sovereignty and took command of the tiny Belgian army when his country was invaded. Almost all of Belgium was occupied but King Albert and his army hung on in Flanders. Toward the end of the war he was given command of an army group and led a very successful offensive that saw Belgium liberated. His bold stand against hopeless odds inspired people of the Allied countries all around the world as well as encouraging his own people to hold out for final victory. Nonetheless, this did not shield him from criticism for trying to arrange a peaceful conclusion to the war through secret communications with Emperor Charles I of Austria. After the war, he led the rebuilding of his shattered country until his sudden and tragic death in a mountain climbing accident in 1934.
From The Mad Monarchist (19 February 2012)
28 October 2023
MM Video: Albert I of the Belgians
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