Kings of England Since 1066

The history of England’s monarchy since 1066 is a story filled with conquest, dynastic change, civil war, political reform, and global expansion. From the Norman Conquest to the modern constitutional monarchy, kings of England have shaped not only British society but also influenced world history. The monarchy has passed through several ruling houses, each with its own legacy. Learning about the kings of England since 1066 reveals how the institution evolved through both triumph and turmoil.

Norman Dynasty (1066–1154)

William I (1066–1087)

Known as William the Conqueror, he defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became the first Norman King of England. His reign marked the beginning of a new aristocracy and the feudal system in England. He is also known for commissioning the Domesday Book in 1086.

William II (1087–1100)

William II, called William Rufus, was the son of William I. His reign was marked by conflict with the Church and nobles. He died under mysterious circumstances while hunting in the New Forest.

Henry I (1100–1135)

Henry I was William I’s youngest son. He strengthened royal justice and administrative systems. His only legitimate son died in the White Ship disaster, leading to a succession crisis.

Stephen (1135–1154)

Stephen’s reign was marred by a civil war known as The Anarchy, fought against his cousin Empress Matilda. His rule ended when Matilda’s son, Henry II, was named his successor.

Plantagenet Dynasty (1154–1399)

Henry II (1154–1189)

Founder of the Plantagenet dynasty, Henry II restored order after The Anarchy. He introduced legal reforms and famously clashed with Archbishop Thomas Becket, who was later murdered in Canterbury Cathedral.

Richard I (1189–1199)

Known as Richard the Lionheart, he spent much of his reign on Crusade. Though a legendary warrior, he was rarely in England and left administrative matters to others.

John (1199–1216)

King John is remembered for his tyrannical rule and the loss of English lands in France. In 1215, he was forced to sign the Magna Carta, limiting royal power and laying a foundation for constitutional government.

Henry III (1216–1272)

Henry III’s long reign saw political strife and the rise of parliamentary authority. The Provisions of Oxford in 1258 were early steps toward a constitutional monarchy.

Edward I (1272–1307)

Edward I, also known as ‘Longshanks,’ was a strong king who reformed laws and conquered Wales. He also launched wars against Scotland, including battles against William Wallace.

Edward II (1307–1327)

Edward II was a weak ruler whose favoritism and military failures, especially at Bannockburn, led to rebellion. He was eventually deposed by his wife Isabella and her ally Roger Mortimer.

Edward III (1327–1377)

Edward III restored royal authority and began the Hundred Years’ War against France. His reign saw the development of the English Parliament and the emergence of the English longbow as a dominant weapon.

Richard II (1377–1399)

Richard II came to the throne as a child and faced the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381. His increasingly autocratic rule led to his deposition by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who became Henry IV.

House of Lancaster (1399–1461)

Henry IV (1399–1413)

Henry IV seized the crown and spent much of his reign dealing with rebellion and maintaining his legitimacy. His rule marked the beginning of the Lancastrian branch of the Plantagenet family.

Henry V (1413–1422)

A skilled military leader, Henry V achieved major victories in the Hundred Years’ War, including the famous Battle of Agincourt in 1415. He became a national hero but died young.

Henry VI (1422–1461)

Henry VI’s weak leadership and mental instability led to the Wars of the Roses, a civil war between the Houses of Lancaster and York. He was briefly deposed and later restored before being killed in the Tower of London.

House of York (1461–1485)

Edward IV (1461–1470, 1471–1483)

Edward IV seized the throne during the Wars of the Roses. His reign was marked by conflict, internal stability, and patronage of the arts. He was briefly overthrown but regained the crown.

Edward V (April–June 1483)

Edward V was one of the Princes in the Tower. He was never crowned and disappeared mysteriously, likely murdered on the orders of his uncle, Richard III.

Richard III (1483–1485)

Richard III’s brief reign ended at the Battle of Bosworth Field, where he was killed by the forces of Henry Tudor. His death ended the Plantagenet line and the Wars of the Roses.

House of Tudor (1485–1603)

Henry VII (1485–1509)

Henry VII established the Tudor dynasty after defeating Richard III. He strengthened royal finances and brought stability to England after decades of war.

Henry VIII (1509–1547)

Famous for his six marriages and the English Reformation, Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England. His reign saw significant religious and political change.

Edward VI (1547–1553)

Edward VI was a Protestant reformer, but his reign was short due to illness. He tried to secure a Protestant succession by naming Lady Jane Grey as his heir.

Lady Jane Grey (1553)

Known as the ‘Nine Days’ Queen,’ Jane was deposed by Mary I. Though queen in name, she was never crowned and was later executed.

Mary I (1553–1558)

Mary I, also known as Bloody Mary, sought to restore Catholicism in England. Her reign saw the persecution of Protestants and the loss of Calais, the last English possession in France.

Elizabeth I (1558–1603)

Elizabeth I, the ‘Virgin Queen,’ restored Protestantism and led England into a golden age of exploration, culture, and military victory, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. She died childless, ending the Tudor line.

House of Stuart (1603–1714)

James I (1603–1625)

James VI of Scotland became James I of England, uniting the crowns. His reign was marked by conflicts with Parliament and the commissioning of the King James Bible.

Charles I (1625–1649)

Charles I’s struggle with Parliament led to the English Civil War. He was tried and executed for treason in 1649, leading to the temporary abolition of the monarchy.

Interregnum (1649–1660)

During this period, England was a republic under Oliver Cromwell and later his son, Richard. The monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles II.

Restored Stuarts and Glorious Revolution

Charles II (1660–1685)

Charles II restored the monarchy and was known for his lively court and efforts to promote religious tolerance. His reign was relatively stable.

James II (1685–1688)

James II’s open Catholicism and authoritarian style led to his overthrow during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange.

William III and Mary II (1689–1702)

They ruled jointly after the Glorious Revolution. The Bill of Rights (1689) limited the power of the monarchy and enhanced parliamentary authority.

Anne (1702–1714)

Queen Anne oversaw the Act of Union in 1707, uniting England and Scotland into Great Britain. Her death without an heir ended the Stuart line.

The kings of England since 1066 have shaped the political, religious, and cultural history of not just Britain, but the world. From William the Conqueror to the last Stuart monarch, these rulers represent the evolution of monarchy from absolute power to constitutional institution. Their legacies remain central to understanding the development of modern Britain.