Who was Henry V? What was his role in Agincourt?
Henry V secured victory at the Battle of Agincourt and helped cement English as Britain's national language. He reigned from 1413-1422
Born in Monmouth Castle in 1386, Henry became Prince of Wales aged 13, following the...
Who was King Edward I? Was he really a heartless leader?
King Edward I took an aggressive approach to Wales and Scotland - although he was rather fond of his wife. He reigned from 1272-1307
King Edward I learned of his father, King Henry III's death in November...
Who was Llywelyn the Great? Which Welsh castles did he conquer?
Llywelyn ap Iorwerth was the greatest Welsh statesman of the Middle Ages. He ruled from 1195-1240
Born in Dolwyddelan Castle, near Conwy, around 1173, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth was the greatest Welsh statesman of the Middle...
Who was Richard I? What was his part in the Crusades?
Richard I - also known as Richard the Lionheart - led the Third Crusade and conquered Cyprus. He reigned from 1189-1199
King Henry II's third son was known as Richard the Lionheart in recognition of his...
Who was George III? What was his role in the American War of Independence?
Under King George III, Britain lost the American War of Independence, but won the Seven Years' War and the Napoleonic Wars. He reigned from 1760 to 1820
With no surviving heir, the death of Queen...
Who was Charles II? Why was he called the ‘Merry Monarch’?
Charles II ran a hedonistic court, despite the early years of his reign being marred by the bubonic plague and Great Fire of London. He reigned from 1660-1685
Known as the ‘Merry Monarch’, Charles II’s...
Who was Oliver Cromwell? What was his role in the English Civil War?
Oliver Cromwell sided with the Roundheads during the English Civil War and became a leader of the New Model Army. He ruled from 1653 to 1658
The only non-royal to rule the country, Oliver Cromwell...
Who was Mary, Queen of Scots? Why was she imprisoned?
Mary Stuart became queen of the Scots when she was six days old, was widowed at 18 and was executed aged 44. She ruled from 1542 to 1567
Mary Queen of Scots was born in 1542,...
Who was Robert the Bruce? Who did he murder?
Robert I of Scotland murdered his rival, attacked English occupiers and eventually negotiated peace talks. He ruled from 1306 to 1329
Born in Ayr in 1274, Robert the Bruce was on the side of King...
Tudor John Knox: Scottish minister, writer and leader of the Reformation
This month Melita Thomas of Tudor Times explores the life and times of Tudor John Knox, a Scottish firebrand who lived through during the reigns of King Henry VIII, Edward VI, Bloody Mary and...
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