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| Monarchs of England Counties of England |
 Monarchs of England:
The flag of Great Britain, known as the 'Union Jack'. It is blue with the red cross of Saint George (the patron saint of England), edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland) and which is again superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (the patron saint of Scotland). This design has been incorporated in many other Commonwealth countries. |
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The origins of kingship in Britain can be traced to the second century BC when Celtic and Belgic tribesmen emigrated from Europe. It wasn't until the Romans invaded England that these tribes would unify under one leader. Cassivellaunus, King of Catuvellauni, which would now be located in Hertfordshire, succeeded in defeating Caesar's army in September 54 BC. He reigned peacefully for several years and after his death his son assumed the throne. The Roman Emperor Claudius again launched a campaign to invade Britain in 43 AD. The conquest was completed nine years later and the Celtic kings were allowed to continue as 'client kings'. When the Romans withdrew in the fifth century, the current British King named Vortigern invited the Jutish mercenaries to aid him in holding on to his Kingdom. This established the first Anglo-Saxon kingdom.
The Anglo-Saxons and Danes: Alfred 'The Great': Born: 849 AD at the Royal Manor of Wantings in Berkshire (now relocated in Oxfordshire) Reign: 871 - 899 AD Notes: The first five years of his reign were spent in indecisive battles with the Danes. In 877 AD, he was forced to retreat to the island of Athelney in Somerset. In 878 AD, his army emerged and defeated the Danish army at Ethandune. He died in London on October 26, 899 and was buried in the New Minster, at Winchester. Edward 'The Elder': Born: 871 AD, he was the oldest son of Alfred 'the Great'. Reign: 899 - 925 AD Notes: Edward regained territory south of Humber and was acknowledged as overlord by the Danish king of York, the king of Scots and the king of Strathclyde. Edward married three times and noted as being the father of a large family. Edward died at Farndon-on-Dee in Mercia on July 17, 925 AD and was buried at Winchester. Athelstan: Born: 895 AD, son of Edward 'the Elder'. Reign: 925 - 939 AD Notes: Within two years of his reign, he succeeded in removing the Viking Guthfrith from the kingdom of York. He invaded Scotland in 933 and became acknowledged overlord of all of Britain. He developed strong foreign ties by marrying off many of his half-sisters. Athelstan died at Gloucester on October 27, 939 AD and was buried at Malmesbury Abbey. He never married. Edmund 'The Magnificent': Born: 921 AD, half-brother of Athelstan. Reign: 939 - 946 AD Notes: Edmund was dining with his entourage at Pucklechurch in Gloucestershire when an outlaw named Liofa was spotted as an intruder. The king took part in the struggle to arrest him and received a fatal stab wound to the stomach. He died almost immediately on May 26, 946 and was buried at Glastonbury Abby. Edred: Born: 923 AD, the youngest son of Edward 'the Elder'. Reign: 946 - 955 AD Notes: Afflicted from birth with an unspecified physical disability that precluded him from marriage, he died at Frome, Somerset on November 23, 955 AD and was buried at Winchester. Edwy: Born: 941 AD, oldest son of Edmund 'the Magnificent'. Reign: 955 - 959 AD Notes: Edwy's coronation took place in January of 955. He had recently and secretly married his kinswoman Elfgifu. Edwy found the long feasting that followed his coronation too boring and slipped away, only later to be found in the company of two women. He was dragged back by Dunstan, the Abbot of Glastonbury. Edwy retaliated by exiling the Abbot. Elfgifu died at Gloucester under suspicious circumstances in September of 959 and Edwy followed her on October 1, 959. Dunstan, later became the Archbishop of Canterbury in 961. Edgar 'The Peaceful': Born: 943 AD, brother of Edwy. Reign: 959 - 975 AD Notes: His chief minister, Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, guided Edgar through much of his reign. Edgar was able to secure some peace with his neighbours. The North Welch princes agreed to pay a tribute of 300 wolves' heads annually and the Scots new ruler was agreed to a goodwill treaty. Edgar's wife, Elfrida was the first king's wife to acknowledged and crowned. Edgar died at the age of 32 on July 8, 975 AD. He was buried beside his father at Glastonbury. Edward 'The Martyr': Born: 962 AD, he was the son of Edgar's first wife. Reign: 975 - 979 AD Notes: Elfrida believed that her son Ethelred, should be king, since he was the son of parents who had been both crowned. Elfrida and Ethelred lived at Corfe Castle in Dorset and an unsuspecting Edward upon them during a hunting trip. His stepmother handed him a stirrup cup and as he raised it to his lips, her servants attacked him and stab him in the back. Edward died on March 18, 979 and was buried at Wareham with no royal honours. Ethelred 'The Unready': Born: 968 AD, the son of King Edgar and Elfrida Reign: 979 - 1013 and 1014 - 1016 Notes: He was 11 years old when he witnessed the murder of his half brother. Elfrida decided it would be prudent to retire to the Beneditine priory where she became a nun. Ethelred reign beset by pirate raids and pestilence among cattle now believe to early appearances of 'foot and mouth' disease. The Danish King Sweyn sailed up the Thames River and besieged London until the King agreed to pay them 16,000 pounds. Eventually King Sweyn decided to rule Britain and Ethelred fled to the Isle of Wright in 1013. He was summoned back the following year upon King Sweyn's death. Ethelred died on April 23, 1016 in London and was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. Edmund 'Ironside': Born: 933 AD, he was the third son of Ethelred, 'the Unready' and his first wife Elfgiva. Reign: 1016 AD Notes: Edmund, by all accounts was noted for his courage. It was put to the test shortly after his coronation by Sweyn's son Canute. The two fought and Canute won, but apparently the two met privately later and agreed on a division of the kingdom. Edmund took Wessex and Canute Mercia. The arrangement didn't last long and Edmund was murdered. He was stab by one of his enemies while inside a privy. He died on November 30, 1016. He was buried at Glastonbury. His wife and two sons fled to Hungary. Canute: Born: 995 AD, in Denmark. He was the son Sweyn, King of Denmark. Reign: 1016 - 1035 AD Notes: Two years after his coronation as King of England, he succeeded his brother Harald as the King of Denmark. In 1030, Canute conquered Norway and became the master of a vast Scandinavian empire. He died at Shaftesbury on November 12, 1035 and was buried at Winchester. Harold 'Harefoot': Born: 1016 AD, he was the son Canute. Reign: 1035 - 1040 AD Notes: He was nicknamed 'Harefoot' because of his ability as a runner. His first act as king was to banish is stepmother Emma. Harold had an uneventful reign and died at Oxford on March 17, 1040. He was buried in London at St. Clement Dames. Hardicanute: Born: 1018 AD, son of Canute and Emma. Reign: 1040 - 1042 AD Notes: Upon returning to England, his first act was to dig up his half-brother Harold, behead him and throw his body into the marshes that border the Thames River. He imposed crippling taxes on the English people. He did not marry, but died in a drunken fit at a wedding feast at Lambeth on June 8, 1042. He was buried at Winchester. Edward 'The Confessor': Born: 1004 AD, his was the youngest son of Ethelred, 'the Unready' and his second wife Emma. Reign: 1042 - 1066 AD Notes: He was a deeply religious man and was the first English sovereign to be credited with the healing power of the royal touch. He vowed to make a pilgrimage to Rome, but when it became apparent that his health and affairs of the state would prohibit it, Edward decided to construct a building for the church. The result was Westminster Abby. He died on January 5, 1066 and was buried in the new foundation. Harold II: Born: 1022 AD, son of Goodwin, Earl of Wessex, brother-in law to Edward 'the Confessor'. Reign: 1066 AD Notes: Before he became king, Harold was returning, by sea, from a battle in Wales. He was shipwrecked off the French coast and sent to the court of William of Normandy. There, they betrothed him to one of his young daughters and extracted an oath that he would support William's claim to England up the death of Edward. Harold returned to England and disregarded his betrothal and married. On Edward's death, Harold claimed the crown. On the 26th of September in 1066, news came that William of Normandy had landed at Hastings. A fierce battle erupted with heavy losses on both sides. Harold and his two brothers were killed. The Normans had arrived and it would take 300 years before the blood of Harold would return to the throne. The Normans: William 'The Conqueror': Born: 1027 AD, he began his life as William 'the Bastard'. He was the natural son of Robert 'the Devil', Duke of Normandy and a girl of humble origin. Reign: 1066 - 1087 AD Notes: He was crowned king at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day in 1066. He was noted for his building of castles, including the Tower of London. He ordered the compiling of the fame Doomsday Book in 1086, which recorded the names of all landowners and tenants. His exploits and rise to power were made famous through the Bayeux tapestry. William was a stern ruler but by all accounts was consider fair and far advanced in his time. During continual disputes with the King of France, William was riding his horse after having just sacked and burned a French town. His horse stumbled on a hot cinder and William was thrown from the animal. He received extensive internal injuries and died days later on September 9, 1087. He was buried in the foundation of St. Stephen at Caen. William II 'Rufus': Born: between 1056 and 1060 AD, the third son of William 'the Conqueror'. Reign: 1087 - 1100 AD Notes: It has been reported that in William's court, it was usual for young men to mince their gait and walk half-naked. William never married or was known to have a mistress. The Church describes him as 'hateful to God and man'. William Rufus meet his end in a hunting accident on August 2, 1100. William was so unpopular that it was left of peasants to load his body in a cart and take to Winchester for burial. The clergy declined to perform any religious rites. Henry I: Born: September 1068, the youngest son of William 'the Conqueror'. Reign: 1100 - 1135 AD Notes: Henry was part of the hunting party when William met his death and quickly acknowledged as the new King. Henry was considered a wise ruler and a skilled diplomat although he did have difficulty with the Pope and church. Henry's only son died in a drowning accident and in 1126 he designated his daughter Matilda to be his heir. Henry did leave a large group of illegitimate children, estimated to be around 21. Henry left England for Normandy in August of 1135, where he was poisoned and died on December 1. He is buried in the foundation of Reading Abbey in England. Stephen: Born: 1096 AD Reign: 1135 - 1154 AD, nephew of Henry I. Notes: He claimed that Henry I, on his deathbed, change his mind and designated him to the heir and King of England. His first act was to secure the Royal treasury and set about to bribe as many potential opponents as possible. Matilda, Henry I's daughter did not give up and there were continual battles through much of Stephen's reign. A compromise was reached was finally reached, Stephen could retain the crown for life, and that Henry, the son of Matilda would succeed him. He died on October 25, 1154 from an apparent appendicitis and was buried at Faversham Abbey. The Angevins: Henry II: Born: March 25, 1133, son of Empress Matilda and her husband Geoffrey Plantegenet. Reign: 1154 - 1189 AD Notes: Henry's father captured Normandy while Stephen was busy fighting Matilda. Upon his father's death, Henry now became of lord of a vast empire. His Chancellor Thomas Becket, who was appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted Henry, while he was in Normandy. When Henry returned to England, he and Thomas Becket had a falling out and Henry was heard to say, 'will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?' Four of Henry's knights murdered Thomas Becket in his Cathedral. The king was stricken with remorse that he did a public penance at Becket's tomb, which soon became a shrine and a place of pilgrimage. Henry II died in a riding accident of July 6, 1189 and was buried in the abbey church at Fontevrault. Richard I 'the Lionheart': Born: September 8, 1157 AD, he was the third son of Henry II. Reign: 1189 - 1199 AD Notes: His coronation was marred by the massacre of London Jews, and followed by similar slaughters in Lincoln, Norwich and York. Richard was only interested in raising money to pursue the famous Crusade. The Crusade reached the Holy Land but failed to capture Jerusalem. On his return trip, he rashly insulted the Duke of Austria and thrown into prison. He remained there for 15 months until the ransom demands were paid. He returned to England and found that his brother John was depleting the Royal treasury. Richard remained in England only a short time to protect his territory in Normandy. While riding into the town of Chalus in Limousin, he was struck by arrow. Gangrene set in and Richard died on April 6, 1199. He was buried beside his father at Fontevrault, his heart being buried separately at Rouen. John; Born: December 24, 1167 AD, youngest son of Henry II, brother of Richard I. Reign: 1199 - 1216 AD Notes: His first act was to get an annulment of his marriage to Isabella of Gloucester and he promptly married the 12 year old daughter and heiress of Aymer Taillefer. John was responsible for the murder of his nephew and chief rival, a deed that lead to war with King Philip of France. Disastrous campaigns in France, his frequent absence from England and his longstanding misgovernment lead to John signing the famous Magna Carta on June 15, 1215. The great charter defined the rights of the Church, the barons and the people of England. While on a journey from Norfolk to Lincolnshire, he attempted to cross the river. He misjudged the tides and his whole baggage train, including his crown were swept away. Suffering from fever and dysentery, he went to Newark Castle, where he died on October 18, 1216 and was buried in Worcester Cathedral. The Plantagenets: Henry III: Born: October 1, 1207, the oldest son of John and Isabella. Reign: 1216 - 1272 AD Notes: Henry was regarded as a weak and indecisive king who was easily led by others. He was noted for his extortionate taxation, disastrous foreign policies and the appointment of half-brothers and his wife's relations to high positions. This led to further civil war and when the King and his son Edward were captured, he was forced to create a Parliament. He died at the Palace of Westminster on November 16, 1272 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Edward I: Born: June 17, 1239 AD, he was the oldest child of Henry III. Reign: 1272 - 1307 AD Notes: He was considered to be one of the most outstanding English warrior kings of the Middle ages. At the age of 15, he was married to the daughter of Fernando III, King of Castile and Leon. His war-like character lead to a campaign to be overlord of Scotland. It earned him the name 'the Hammer of the Scots'. In 1307, he was campaigning in the north when he was struck with dysentery and died at Burgh-on-the-Sands, near Carlisle on July 7. He was buried at Westminster near his father. Edward II: Born: April 25, 1284 AD, the youngest child of Edward I. Reign: 1307 - 1327 AD Notes: He lost his mother at the age of six and was regarded as lacking parental guidance for most of his childhood. He married the eldest daughter of the King of France, but openly showed more affection to his long time childhood friend Piers Gaveston. Edward II renewed his father's campaign against Scotland but was soundly defeated. His wife, Queen Isabelle returned to France to join her lover and in 1326 returned to England with a great army. Edward was confined to Berkeley Castle where he was murdered by the insertion of a red hot iron into his entrails. He was buried at Gloucester Cathedral. Edward III: Born: November 13, 1312 AD, oldest child of Edward II and Isabelle of France. Reign: 1327 - 1377 AD Notes: He was married to Phillipa, daughter of William III of Holland. They produced 12 children. Edward's 50-year reign was marked by his preoccupation to claim the throne of France. This was the start of Hundred Years War. In 1349, England suffered greatly by the Black Death, an outbreak of the bubonic plague, which is said to have caused the death of half the population. During Edward's reign, Parliament was divided into two houses, the creation of the office of Justice of the Peace and the replacing of French to English in the law courts. Edward died of a stroke at Sheen Palace on June 21, 1377 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Richard II: Born: January 6, 1367 AD, the youngest son of Edward III. Reign: 1377 - 1399 AD Notes: He was called 'the Black Prince' and was regarded as a model of chivalry. In reality, history has viewed him as a 'bad-tempered, foul-mouth and cruel'. He was ten years old when crowned King of England. After concluding a peace with France, Richard tried to eliminate Parliament and establish a royal autocracy. It proved his undoing. He was disposed in favour of his cousin and imprisoned in 1399. He died on February 14, 1400, literally starving himself to death. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. House of Lancaster: Henry IV: Born: April 4, 1366 AD, the fourth son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who was the fourth son of Edward III. Reign: 1399 - 1413 AD Notes: Henry's reign was plagued with problems. The Welch wanted their independence, the French were raiding the south coast and Scots were moving in the north. If that wasn't enough, he was also plagued with head lice and a disfiguring skin disease, which was probably eczema. Henry died from a stroke on March 20, 1313 while praying at the shrine of Edward, the Confessor in Westminster Abby. He had requested to be buried at the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. Henry V: Born: December 16, 1387 AD, the first surviving son of Henry IV. Reign: 1413 - 1422 AD Notes: The stories of his riotous youth apparently are fabrication of Shakespeare. He renewed the war against France and in August of 1919, he was able to reconquer Normandy. In August of 1419, his armies reached the gates of Paris and negotiations for peace were finalised as Henry was recognised as the heir of France. He married King Charles VI of France's daughter, Catherine. His next project was to lead a Crusade to Jerusalem, but before he could, Henry fell ill with dysentery and died at Bois de Vincennes, near Paris on August 31, 1422. He was buried in Westminster Chapel. Henry VI: Born: December 6, 1421 AD, he was the only child of Henry V and Catherine of France. Reign: 1422 - 1461 and 1470 - 1471 AD Notes: He was crowned one month before his eighth birthday. He was said to have suffered from the same mental illness, which afflicted his grandfather, King Charles VI of France. Open warfare between two Royal families, the Lancastrians, whose emblem was the red rose and the Yorkists, whose emblem was the white rose soon broke out. Henry was captured by the Yorkists in 1460 and was forced to recognise the Duke of York as his heir to the throne. Pursuing battles saw Richard of York slain and Henry eventually taken to the Tower of London. He regained his throne for a short period of time, but on April 11, 1471, was stabbed to death in the Tower. He was first buried at Chertsey Abbey was later moved to St. George's Chapel in Windsor. The House of York: Edward IV: Born: August 28, 1442 AD, son or Richard of York. Reign: 1461 - 1470 and 1471 - 1483 AD Notes: Edward married Elisabeth, a woman five years older than him but he was considered a notorious womaniser and abandoned his mistresses whenever he tired of them. The king's marriage had caused Warwick, to switch allegiance to the Lancastrians and re-open the civil war. The war ended when Edward's forces were able to eliminate Henry VI. Edward died on April 9, 1483, after contracting pneumonia on a fishing trip. He was buried at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. Edward V: Born: November 4, 1470 AD, oldest son of Edward IV and Elisabeth. Reign: April - June 1483 AD Notes: This is one of the greatest unsolved historical mysteries, the fate of the 'Princes in the Tower'. Edward and his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York were taken to the Tower upon their arrival in London to claim the throne. The official version is that they were smothered in their sleep and buried beneath the staircase in the Tower. No search for their bodies was ever conducted and it wasn't until repairs were being carried out in the Tower in 1674, that the bones of two children were found beneath the staircase. Richard III: Born: October 2, 1452 AD Reign: 1483 - 1485 AD, youngest son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, brother of Edward IV. Notes: Richard was suspected of having a hand in the death of his brother, Edward IV and his heirs, but it was never proven. His portraits show a worried man, although some reports say he was a malformed hunchback. Richard's only son, died at a young age and he nominated his nephew John, Earl of Lincoln to succeed him. The Lancastrians had a different choice in Henry Tudor. The two armies met at Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485. 7,000 men in Richard's army deserted him and joined the forces of Henry. Richard apparently fought bravely, but was cut down. He was buried in Grey Friars Abbey in Leicester. The Tudors: Henry VII: Born: January 28. 1457 AD, son of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, half-brother to Henry VI. Reign: 1485 - 1509 AD Notes: Henry was the lawful heir of the House of Lancaster, and he married Elizabeth, the lawful heir of the House of York and thus bringing an end to the feud of the two families. Henry brought peace and prosperity to the country after years of civil war. Henry VIII: Born: June 28, 1791 AD, second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Reign: 1509 - 1547 AD Notes: Henry's six marriages have been well documented. His first marriage to Catherine produced six children, but only one survived, a sickly girl named Mary. When Catherine reached 40, he was unable to dissolve the marriage, so he decided to break from Rome and create the Church of England. Henry's Reformation Parliament confirmed his title as the head of the Church of England and copies of a new English translation of the Bible were ordered for every church. His next wife was Anne Boleyn. That marriage was short lived as Henry turned his affections to Jane Seymour. When Anne delivered a stillborn child, Henry charged her with adultery and she was condemned to death. Anne was beheaded on May 19, 1536. Jane delivered the long awaited male heir, but died of puerperal fever. Henry's next wife was arranged for him by his aid, Thomas Cromwell. He found his new bride Anne of Cleves to be unattractive. He quickly had the marriage null and void. Thomas Cromwell's bungling of Henry's fourth marriage lead him to be arrested and charged with treason. His next queen was Catherine Howard, first cousin to Anne Boleyn. Henry fell deeply in love, but being 30 years older and gaining considerable weight, an informer finally told Henry of his wife's infidelity. Catherine shared the same fate as her cousin, Anne Boleyn. Henry was a physical wreck. Obese, prematurely senile and stinking from a ulcerated leg which has been generally reguarded as a result of syphilis, his sixth wife, Catherine was more of a nurse, than a wife. Henry VIII was the first English monarch to be called 'Majesty'. He died on January 28, 1547 and was buried next to Jane Seymour in St. George's Chapel in Windsor. Edward VI; Born: October 12, 1537 AD, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. Reign: 1547 - 1553 AD Notes: He was nine years old when he took the throne. Edward's love of learning lead him to found a number of grammar schools, which bore his name. Unfortunately he was plagued with ill health, possibly congenital syphilis inherited from his father. In 1552, it became apparent that Edward was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and after great suffering, he died on July 6, 1553. He was buried near his grandfather, Henry VII in Westminster Abbey. Mary I: Born: February 18, 1516 AD, she was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Reign: 1553 - 1558 AD Notes: She studied Greek, Latin, French, Italian, science and music, but Mary was a sickly child. She suffered from severe headache and poor eyesight, probably the result of congenital syphilis passed on from her father Henry VIII. Mary set about to restore the old order, the use of Latin and the Pope supremacy. She decided upon marrying the heir to the Spanish throne and on July 25, 1554, her and Philip of Spain wed. Mary's attempts to eradicate Protestantism earned her the nickname 'Bloody Mary'. She died of influenza on November 17, 1558 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth I: Born: September 7, 1533 AD, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Reign: 1558 - 1603 AD Notes: She made no secret of her leanings towards Protestantism, a fact further confirmed in 1570 when Pope Pius V excommunicated her and all her subjects. Elizabeth's reign was considered the golden age of English history. The one deed, which reflected poorly on her, was the execution of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. Sir Frances Drake's defeat of the Spanish Armada, the colonising of America, the development of the East India Company and her love of literature allowed for the blossoming of writer's like Shakespeare were all part of Elizabeth's reign. Her one weakness was her partiality for handsome young men. She never married and on March 24, 1603 after complications from severe tonsillitis, Elizabeth died. Her last act was to declare the son of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots to be her heir. Elizabeth is buried in Westminster Abbey. The Stuarts: James I: Born: June 19, 1566 AD, son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart. Reign: 1603 - 1625 AD Notes: James propounded the theory of 'the divine right of kings', maintaining that the king was above the law and only answerable to God. He was considered a coarse, ill mannered as well as a physical and moral coward, however he was shrewd. The Spanish ambassador called him the 'wisest fool in Christendom'. He authored several books including the commission of King James Bible. He died of a stroke on March 27, 1625 and was buried at Westminster Abbey. Charles I: Born: November 19, 1600 AD, son of James I and Anne of Denmark. Reign: 1625 - 1649 AD Notes: Charles encountered the same troubles with Parliament that his father did. After dissolving it three times, the king decided to rule without it and did so for 11 years. To raise money he sold monopolies and levied taxes at seaports. Matters came to a head, as Charles entered Parliament, planning to arrest five members who were plotting to impeach the queen. Public hostility broke out and Charles was forced to flee London. Civil war broke out. After suffering crippling defeats at the hands of Oliver Cromwell, Charles fled to Scotland. The Scots promptly turned him over to the Parliamentary forces. He was beheaded on January 30, 1649 and was buried in St. George's Chapel in Windsor. Charles II: Born: May 29, 1630 AD, son of Charles I. Reign: 1649 and 1660 - 1685 AD Notes: Upon hearing of his father's death, Charles raised an army of 10,000 men in Scotland and set out to claim his throne. Oliver Cromwell at the battle of Worcester overwhelmingly defeated his army. Charles spent the next eight years in exile in France. Oliver Cromwell ruled England as Lord Protector until his death, which opened the way for Charles to return. Charles proved himself to be an astute leader. Two domestic events overshadowed Charles' reign. One was the great Plague of London in 1665 and the following year the Great Fire. Charles himself fought the fire. The Habeas Corpus Act was passed and parliament began to develop its party system as the Whigs and Tories started to emerge. After suffering an apparent stroke, Charles II died on February 6, 1685 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. James II: Born: October 14, 1633 AD, second son of Charles I, brother of Charles II. Reign: 1685 - 1688 AD Notes: James was well known for his Catholic beliefs, but when he ascended to the throne, he appointed Protestants to high positions. Eventually, his real faith started to show and James became determined to bring England back to the Roman Catholic Church. Several bishops were imprisoned in the Tower. James' nephew and son-in-law, William, Prince of Orange landed at Brixham and vowed to safeguard the interest of Protestants. His army marched to London and James panicked and fled to France. James died in exile from a cerebral haemorrhage on September 1, 1701 and was buried in France. William III and Mary II: Born: William - November 4, 1650 AD, son of William, Prince of Orange and Mary, daughter of Charles I. Mary - April 30, 1662 AD daughter of James II. Reign: 1689 - 1702 AD Notes: William became a hero to Irish Protestants, who affectionately called him 'King Billy', the same could not be said of his British subjects. They found him too cold and serious. When Mary developed small pox and died in 1695, William became more unpopular. It is said he spent 50,000 pounds on her funeral. While riding at Hampton Court, William's horse stumbled on a molehill and threw him, breaking his collarbone. He developed pleura-pneumonia and died on March 8, 1702. He was buried in Westminster Abby. Anne: Born: February 6, 1665 AD, second daughter of James II. Reign: 1702 - 1714 AD Notes: On March 6, 1707, the Act of the Union between England and Scotland was passed and Great Britain came into being. Anne's health problems were not helped by her love of brandy. Her popular nickname was 'Brandy Nan'. She suffered a series of strokes and passed away on August 1, 1714. She was buried in Westminster Abbey. The House of Hanover: George I: Born: May 28, 1660 AD, his grandmother was the youngest daughter of James I. Reign: 1714 - 1727 AD Notes: George was raised in France and could speak very little English. His coronation was conducted in Latin to overcome his language difficulties. He apparently was happiest when visiting his German dominations and these increased as the years passed. He had a trip to Holland, in which he was seasick for most of the voyage. That evening he consumed a large quantity of fruit and developed a violent attacked of diarrhoea. He suffered a stroke and died on June 22, 1727 and was buried in Hanover. George II: Born: October 30, 1683 AD, son of George I. Reign: 1727 - 1760 AD Notes: Like his father, George preferred to spend much of his time aboard. He was the last British monarch to lead his army on the battlefield, when the French were defeated at Dettingen in 1743. George's reign was a time of prosperity at home and aboard. French power was destroyed in India and Canada as the British Empire was starting to take shape. It also saw the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in place of the Julian. The House of Hanover was gaining in popularity and the earliest version of 'God Save Great George our King' was performed. George died from a ruptured aneurysm of the aorta on October 25. 1760 and was buried in Westminster Abby. George III: Born: June 4, 1738 AD, he was the grandson of George II and eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales who had died in 1751. Reign: 1760 - 1820 AD Notes: He married Charlotte, a German princess and together they had 15 children. Early in 1764, the king suffered the first attack of an illness now believed to have been a hereditary metabolic disorder porphyria, its main symptom being a state of mental confusion. The American war of Independence was a great blow to the king and he suffered his attack of porphyria, this time more serious. A bout that left him deranged for almost five months. The last ten years of George's reign was dominated by the Napoleonic wars in Europe and the threat of invasion. George died of senile decay on January 29, 1820 and was buried in the new Royal Tomb House at Windsor. George IV: Born: August 12, 1762 AD, oldest son of George III. Reign: 1820 - 1830 AD Notes: George was the first monarch to visit Scotland, since the Stuarts. His reign saw the end of the Catholic Emancipation Act, despite the king trying to block it. George's reign was short lived as his health took a serious decline. He died on June 26, 1830 and was buried in the Royal Tomb House. William IV: Born: August 21, 1765 AD, he was the third son of George III. Reign: 1830 - 1837 AD Notes: William was a gregarious and eccentric old man, often giving impetuous outbursts. He could also be a shrewd and statesmanlike king. He was fond of his niece Victoria, but loathed her mother. His goal was to live long enough to allow Victoria to become of age and properly succeed him. His wish was granted. William died from pneumonia on June 20, 1837 and was buried in the Royal Tomb House. Victoria: Born: May 24, 1819 AD, daughter of Prince Edward, fourth son of George III. Reign: 1837 - 1901 AD Notes: In Victoria's reign, the British Empire reached its height of prestige. She was given the title Empress of India in 1877, a title she wore with pride. Victoria acquired a popularity far greater than any enjoyed by her predecessors. She also became the longest ruling monarch in British history. She died peacefully on January 22, 1901 and was buried in the Italianate Mausoleum at Frogmore. The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha: Edward VII: Born: November 9, 1841 AD, he was the oldest son of Queen Victoria. Reign: 1901 - 1910 AD Notes: Affectionately known as 'Bertie', he was noted for his enjoyment of good food, good wine, good clothes, good cigars and good company. He became well known at the fashionable resorts of Europe. He was 60 years old when he finally reached the throne and he became immensely popular. Edward's exuberance was a welcome change from the drab years of Queen Victoria. Edward died of chronic bronchitis on May 6, 1910 and was buried in St. George's Chapel in Windsor. The House of Windsor: George V: Born: June 3, 1865 AD, he was the son of Edward VII. Reign: 1910 - 1936 AD Notes: 1914 brought the world the Great War, and changes to the British Empire. It was clear her glory days of colonialism were over. One result of the war was the change of the family surname from Saxe-Coburg to Windsor, a response to the anti-German feeling. George's rough and ready manner and brusque heartiness endured him to his subjects. He was greatly moved by the spontaneous demonstrations during his Silver Jubilee. He died from a severe bronchial infection of January 20, 1936 and was buried in St. George's Chapel, in Windsor. Edward VIII: Born: June 23, 1894 AD, he was the oldest son of George V. Reign: January - December 1936 AD Notes: In January 1931, Edward met Mrs.Wallis Simpson at a house party. She was living in London with her husband, an American businessman. By the time Edward succeeded his father, he believed that once Wallis Simpson was freed of her marriage, he would be able to marry her and make her queen. For the English Establishment, the thought of a twice-divorced woman marrying the sovereign head of the Church of England was unthinkable. The king abdicated the throne in favour of his brother. Edward died of cancer on May 28, 1972 and is buried on the royal grounds at Frogmore. George VI; Born: December 14, 1895 AD, he is the second son of George V. Reign: 1936 - 1952 AD Notes: He considered himself totally unfit for the role of king. Within a few years of his accession to the throne, the country was plunged into the Second World War. His decision not to leave London throughout the bombing did much to boost public morale. In September 1951, his left lung was removed and found to be cancerous. He died peacefully in his sleep on February 5, 1952 and was buried at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. Elizabeth II: Born: April 21, 1926 AD, oldest daughter of George VI. Reign: 1952 - present Notes: During the course of her lengthy reign, Elizabeth has presented herself, as everything a 20th century monarch should be. Unfortunately the growing problems around her Royal family has given the country an uneasy feeling about the future role of monarchs. In 2002, she celebrated her golden Jubilee. | Home | How to Start | History | Records | Preserving Photos | Questions | Links Bill Ferrer Production - Vancouver Film School © 2004 |