[cardinal4]

Shakespeare did a number on him, in order to gain favor with the Tudors and history just kept repeating the Shakespearian propaganda.

Correct. The Bard painted him as misshapen, bent, and cruel. It is remarkable how Shakespeare's writings are still intertwined with society today..

[nopardons]

Yes...Shakespeare has added greatly to our language and though a propagandist of the WORST kind, his nonsense it taken as fact still; sadly.