Apart from Jiko-ji bon, Jokyuki has many critical accounts of the Retired Emperor Gotoba, and the Kokatsuji bon even says that 'he turns his back on the administration led by the wise and highly virtuous Emperor, and prefers military arts.'
その慈光寺本を除くと承久記は後鳥羽上皇に対して批判的な記述が多く、古活字本には「賢王・聖主の直なる御政に背き、横しまに武芸を好ませ給ふ」とさえ書いてある。