While the gifts Henry received greatly expanded the king’s zoo, he inherited the tradition from his father, King John, who began keeping tigers and other wild animals at the palace around 1210. During a period when France’s kings angled to rein in the nobility’s autonomy, lavish gifts went a long way in securing allies. CenterpieceOne of Louis’s most strategic gifts was a set of 12 choice thoroughbred horses sent to King Karl (Charles) XI of Sweden in 1673. Giver: King Mongkut (1804–1868)Recipient: President Abraham LincolnIn the Box: ElephantsThe Art of GivingAt the time of the Civil War, Siam (modern-day Thailand) was ruled by King Mongkut, titled as Rama IV. In 1381, he faced the Peasants’ Revolt, where some 100,000 disenchanted laborers marched on London, taking the king by surprise.