The King’s Man (2021), directed by Matthew Vaughn, serves as a prequel to the Kingsman film series, offering an origin story for the independent intelligence agency introduced in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014). Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film blends historical events with the franchise’s signature mix of stylized action, humor, and espionage. Unlike its predecessors, The King’s Man takes on a darker, more serious tone while retaining flashes of the franchise’s over-the-top flair. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Harris Dickinson, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, and Djimon Hounsou in key roles, delivering a mix of action, drama, and wit.

The story follows the origins of the Kingsman organization through the eyes of Orlando, the Duke of Oxford (played by Ralph Fiennes), a nobleman and pacifist who is reluctantly drawn into the violent world of espionage. Haunted by a personal tragedy, Orlando is determined to prevent future wars by forming an independent spy agency that can operate above the corruption of governments. At the heart of the story is the bond between Orlando and his son, Conrad (Harris Dickinson), who longs to serve his country on the battlefield but must navigate his father’s protective instincts and commitment to diplomatic solutions.

The King’s Man intertwines historical figures and events with its fictional narrative, creating a revisionist take on the causes of World War I. A shadowy cabal of villains, led by a mysterious mastermind known as The Shepherd, orchestrates global chaos with the goal of plunging the world into destruction. Key historical figures are reimagined as conspirators, including Rasputin (Rhys Ifans), whose bizarre and eccentric portrayal injects the film with dark humor and a touch of absurdity. Ifans’ performance as Rasputin stands out, blending menace and whimsy in equal measure, and delivers one of the film’s most memorable and outrageous sequences.

As Orlando and his allies—Shola (Djimon Hounsou), a skilled fighter, and Polly (Gemma Arterton), an intelligent and resourceful aide—work to foil the cabal’s plans, The King’s Man explores themes of duty, honor, sacrifice, and the corrupting influence of power. The film’s portrayal of historical events, such as trench warfare and espionage missions, adds a sense of gravity to the narrative and provides a stark contrast to the lightheartedness of the earlier entries in the series.

Ralph Fiennes anchors the film with a commanding performance as Orlando. He balances the character’s nobility, vulnerability, and fierce determination, bringing depth to the role and lending credibility to the film’s emotional moments. His interactions with his son, Conrad, form the emotional core of the story, driving home the cost of war and the sacrifices demanded of those who serve.

The film features the franchise’s signature stylized action sequences, marked by elaborate choreography, slow-motion effects, and creative fight scenes. One of the standout moments involves a chaotic battle with Rasputin, blending intense combat with unexpected humor and acrobatics. While the action remains engaging and visually impressive, the prequel opts for a more grounded approach compared to the outlandish spectacle of the previous films.

The King’s Man also delves into the political intrigue and shifting alliances of the early 20th century. It depicts the manipulation of world leaders and the brewing tensions that lead to global conflict, blending real-world history with fictional elements in a manner reminiscent of an alternate-history thriller. This unique blend of fact and fiction is both a strength and a challenge for the film, as it strives to balance historical commentary with the fantastical elements of the Kingsman universe.

Critics and audiences had mixed reactions to The King’s Man. Some praised its ambitious attempt to tell a more serious story within the franchise, while others felt it lacked the charm and energy of the earlier films. The tonal shifts between humor, drama, and action can be jarring at times, and the film’s pacing occasionally suffers as it tries to juggle multiple plotlines and historical references. However, for fans of the series, it offers a deeper look into the origins of the Kingsman organization and the values it stands for.

In conclusion, The King’s Man is a bold and ambitious prequel that expands the lore of the Kingsman franchise while delivering a mix of historical drama, intense action, and dark humor. Ralph Fiennes’ standout performance and the film’s commitment to exploring the roots of the legendary spy agency make it an intriguing addition to the series, even if it occasionally struggles with balancing its different tones and narrative elements. For those seeking a blend of history, espionage, and stylized action, The King’s Man offers a unique and entertaining take on the genre.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.