Kings and Queens of England & Britain: the monarchs who have shaped our history

The monarchy has been at the heart of British life for almost 1,200 years. Whether performing ceremonial duties or ruling absolutely, the Kings and Queens of England and Britain have shaped the direction, character and history of this great nation

We have delved into how each monarch’s reign both reflected and influenced the eras in which they lived. By discovering the stories of these great historical figures, we hope you gain an insight into the very spirit of British life.

Saxon Kings

Egbert (827-839)

Aethelwulf (839-856)

Aethelbald (856-860)

Aethelbert (860-866)

Aethelred (866-871)

Alfred the Great (871-899)

Edward The Elder (899-924)

Athelstand (924-939)

Edmund (939-946)

Eadred (946-955)

Eadwig (955-959)

Edgar (959-975)

Edward the Martyr (975-978)

Aethelred the Unready (978-1016)

Edmund Ironside (1016-1016)

Canute (1016-1035)

Harold I (1035-1040)

Harthacanute (1040-1042)

Edward the Confessor (1042-1066)

Norman Kings

William I – William the Conqueror (1066-1087)

William Rufus (1087-1100)

Henry I (1100-1135)

Stephen (1135-1154)

Plantagenet Kings

HENRY II 1154-1189

Richard I (1189-1199)

Llywelyn the Great (1195-1240)

John (1199-1216)

Henry III (1216 -1272)

Edward I (1272-1307)

Robert I of Scotland – Robert the Bruce (1306-1329)

Edward II (1307-1327)

Edward III (1327-1377)

Richard II (1377-1399)

House of Lancaster

Henry IV (1399-1413)

Henry V (1413-1422)

Henry VI (1422-1461)

House of York

Edward IV (1461- 1483)

Edward V (1483 – 1483)

Richard III (1483-1485)

Tudors

Henry VII (1485 – 1509)

Henry VIII (1509-1547)

Edward VI (1547-1553)

Mary I – Bloody Mary (1553-1558)

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1567)

Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

Stuarts

James I and VI of Scotland (1567/1603-1625)

Charles I (1625-1649)

Lord Protectors

Oliver Cromwell (1653-1658)

Richard Cromwell (1658-1659)

Restoration

Charles II (1660-1685)

James II and VII of Scotland (1685-1688)

William III & Mary II (1689-1702)

Anne (1702-1714)

Hanoverians

George I (1714-1727)

George II (1727-1760)

George III (1760-1820)

George IV (1820-1830)

William IV (1830-1837)

Victoria (1837-1901)

Edward VII (1901-1910)

House of Windsor

George V (1910-1936)

Edward VIII (1936)

George VI (1936-1952)

Elizabeth II (1952-present)