The History of England and Britain’s Monarchs: From Æthelsta
The History of England and Britain’s Monarchs: From Æthelstan to King Charles III
The history of the British monarchy is more than a thousand years old. However, the modern United Kingdom did not exist when the early kings of England ruled. Before the formation of the UK, England, Scotland, and Wales had separate political histories and different systems of rule.
The unified Kingdom of England gradually developed during the Anglo-Saxon period. King Æthelstan, who ruled from 927 to 939 CE, is often regarded as the first King of England because he brought much of the country under one rule.
The Early Kings of England
After Æthelstan, several Anglo-Saxon kings ruled England:
1. 👑 Æthelstan — 927–939
Often regarded as the first King of England.
2. 👑 Edmund I — 939–946
3. 👑 Eadred — 946–955
4. 👑 Eadwig — 955–959
5. 👑 Edgar the Peaceful — 959–975
6. 👑 Edward the Martyr — 975–978
7. 👑 Æthelred II — 978–1013 and 1014–1016
8. 👑 Sweyn Forkbeard — 1013–1014
9. 👑 Edmund II — 1016
In 1016, England came under the rule of the Danish king Cnut, also known as Canute.
10. 👑 Cnut (Canute) — 1016–1035
11. 👑 Harold I — 1035–1040
12. 👑 Harthacnut — 1040–1042
13. 👑 Edward the Confessor — 1042–1066
14. 👑 Harold II — 1066
The Norman Conquest and the Medieval Kings
In 1066, William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. This event, known as the Norman Conquest, brought major changes to England’s government, land system, language, and culture.
15. 👑 William I (William the Conqueror) — 1066–1087
16. 👑 William II — 1087–1100
17. 👑 Henry I — 1100–1135
18. 👑 Stephen — 1135–1154
19. 👑 Henry II — 1154–1189
20. 👑 Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) — 1189–1199
21. 👑 King John — 1199–1216
22. 👑 Henry III — 1216–1272
23. 👑 Edward I — 1272–1307
24. 👑 Edward II — 1307–1327
25. 👑 Edward III — 1327–1377
26. 👑 Richard II — 1377–1399
The House of Lancaster and the House of York
During the late medieval period, England experienced a long struggle for the throne between two royal families: the House of Lancaster and the House of York. This conflict became known as the Wars of the Roses.
27. 👑 Henry IV — 1399–1413
28. 👑 Henry V — 1413–1422
29. 👑 Henry VI — 1422–1461 and 1470–1471
30. 👑 Edward IV — 1461–1470 and 1471–1483
31. 👑 Edward V — 1483
32. 👑 Richard III — 1483–1485
The Tudor Monarchs
In 1485, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III and became King Henry VII. This marked the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.
33. 👑 Henry VII — 1485–1509
34. 👑 Henry VIII — 1509–1547
35. 👑 Edward VI — 1547–1553
36. 👑 Mary I — 1553–1558
37. 👑 Elizabeth I — 1558–1603
The reign of Queen Elizabeth I is often considered one of the most important periods in English history. During her rule, England became a stronger naval power, and English culture and literature flourished.
The Union of the Crowns
In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I died without leaving a direct heir. King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and became King James I of England. England and Scotland then shared the same monarch, although they remained separate kingdoms.
38. 👑 James I — 1603–1625
39. 👑 Charles I — 1625–1649
After the English Civil War, King Charles I was executed in 1649. The monarchy was abolished, and England became a republic known as the Commonwealth of England.
From 1649 to 1660, England had no king or queen.
The Restoration and the Formation of Great Britain
In 1660, the monarchy was restored, and Charles II became king.
40. 👑 Charles II — 1660–1685
41. 👑 James II — 1685–1688
42. 👑 William III and Mary II — 1689–1702
43. 👑 Queen Anne — 1702–1714
In 1707, England and Scotland officially united to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.
The Modern British Monarchy
After Queen Anne, the Hanoverian and later royal dynasties ruled Great Britain and the United Kingdom.
44. 👑 George I — 1714–1727
45. 👑 George II — 1727–1760
46. 👑 George III — 1760–1820
47. 👑 George IV — 1820–1830
48. 👑 William IV — 1830–1837
49. 👑 Queen Victoria — 1837–1901
50. 👑 Edward VII — 1901–1910
51. 👑 George V — 1910–1936
52. 👑 Edward VIII — 1936
53. 👑 George VI — 1936–1952
54. 👑 Queen Elizabeth II — 1952–2022
55. 👑 King Charles III — 2022–Present
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