Study of British Culture

The past couple months I've emerged myself in a study of British culture and history. This recent fascination was first inspired by the film Shakespeare in Love. This made way for a study of William Shakespeare as well as a thorough historical  study of the English Monarchy. It seems quite fitting now, that I wrap up this phase with a basic study of British culture. I should also say that I have been wanting to make this post for quite some time now.

This hasn't been my first British appreciation phase, and surely won't be my last. As a lifelong American citizen, it seems British history has always been ingrained into our society. After all we speak their English language. Our country was first colonized by British immigrants and it was against them that our independence was won. The United States and the United Kingdom have come a long way since their colonial tensions, and they have now become greatest and most special allies. So naturally British culture has always had significant roots in American society.

When I think of British culture, so much comes to mind; their medieval history of castles, kings and queens in the likes of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. Their theater and literature that gave way to the greatest poets of all time such as William Shakespeare. Their vast colonial empire that spans the globe to this day. Their strength during WWII, led by their greatest prime minister, Winston Churchill. Their rock and roll music that gave way to the British Invasion of the 1960s led by the Beatles. And one of my most favorite custom of theirs is their association football, the English Premiere League. To me, British culture has always been very influential on American yet also global society. They have a proud heritage that is derived from their historical traditions. 

British History

I spent several weeks studying the British Monarchy, (see English Monarchy) so I won't get too much into it in this section. However I do want to briefly highlight it's most modern history, which has become an age of British decolonization. The transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy began in the early 1700s, which gave way to a constitutional government run by Parliament. For nearly 200 years Britain expanded into a global empire, and was the undisputed superpower of the world. However at the turn of the twentieth century they began to lose some of their power to the rising economies of Germany and the United States. The aftermath of WWI, had a devastating affect on the British empire, and eventually gave way to it's dissolution. This lead to it's modern transition into a Commonwealth of Nations.

During the 1930s as the British Empire continued to dissolve, however they still played a major role against the rising threats of Nazi Germany. WWII has often been described as one of history's darkest periods, and it was the country of Britain who courageously faced the enemy head on from start to finish. This was thanks to their steadfast leader, Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He refused to surrender to Nazi Germany, and lead both Britain and all of Europe to stand strong in this terrible period. With the alliance of the United States, Britain was able to finally defeat Adolf Hitler, and bring a close to the most deadly war in history.

By the end of WWII, Britain could no longer match the economic superpowers of Russia and the United States. However they quickly sided with the United States during the Cold War, and established a special relationship. In 1979 Britain gave way to it's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. She was a stern conservative, a strong ally of Ronald Reagan, and gained popularity for defeating the Argentine invasions during the Falkland Wars. To this day the United Kingdom has played a significant role in influencing global politics.


British Folklore and Literature

Over the years as I've studied many cultures, I've discovered that it is in their folklore and literature where their traditions and customs are derived from. In this case it was a greater understanding of William Shakespeare that finally got me to study and write about English culture. Since I've already written about Shakespeare, (see Shakespeare Tribute) I've decided to focus here on his earlier literary influences.

One of England's most famous and oldest folk legends is the tale of King Arthur. It has been extended into numerous versions, however it's most original format can be dated back to Geoffrey of Monmouth's "History of Regum Brittaniae" of the 1100s. The general synopsis of the tale is about an Anglo Saxon king, Arthur, who is guided by a wizard named Merlin. With his sword Excalibur and his knights of the round table, he is able to defeat the wicked Mordred and establish a kingdom of Camelot. Other variations of the story introduce his wife Guinevere having a romantic affair with the knight Lancelot as a well a quest for the Holy Grail. One of the most notable adaptations of this folktale is Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King. This was a 12 part narrative poem published from 1859 to 1885.

Another very popular English folktale was the legend of Robin Hood (of which I've already studied , see Folklore Robin Hood). The general synopsis is an outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. He was a an enemy of the monarchy, most notably King John I, yet a hero of the people. It's earliest reference came about in the mid 1200s and soon found it's way embedded in popular folklore.

In the late 1300s, Geoffrey Chaucer published many notable works such as The Book of Duchess, the House of Fame, Legend of Good Woman, Troilus and Criseyde, and most famously for his Canterbury Tales. The Canterbury Tales was a series of poetic verses and tales from pilgrims traveling to the Canterbury Cathedral. This became
Chaucer's magnum opus, which broke away from Latin text and introduced English text. For this reason he is often considered the father of English literature, and a major influence to William Shakespeare.

Another very significant English author was John Milton who thrived during the brief Commonwealth Era of 1650s. In 1667 he published his most famous work, Paradise Lost, which was an Epic Poem. The poem metaphorically depicts the opening biblical passages of the Fall of Mankind, in which Adam and Eve fail temptation from Satan and are expelled from the Garden of Eden. Milton's mythological adaptation served as a justification of Christian theology.

Notable English folktales;

• King Arthur
• Robin Hood
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Tom Thumb
• Lady Godiva

Notable English Authors:

• George Orwell (1984, Animal Farm)
• C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia)
• Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Dr. Jeykell and Hyde)
• H.G. Wells (Time Machine, War of the Worlds)
• D.H. Lawrence
• Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations)
• Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland)
• J.R.R Tolkien (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings)
• Virginia Woolf
• Ian Flemming
• Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes)
• J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)
• J.K Rowling (Harry Potter)

British Art

There have been many notable British painters dating back to the Medieval days, to the Renaissance, Romantic era, and into the Victorian era. One of my all time favorite visual artists is the landscape painter, J.M.W Turner. His paintings have a masterful blend of realism with impressionism thru his use of water-colored light. Many of his paintings depict stunning landscapes or historical settings with a hint of abstract coloring. One of my favorite works of his is the oil painting of the Fighting Temeraire (1838).

Some other notable British artists include William Blake, Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable, John Everett Millais, Francis Bacon, and John William Waterhouse (another one of my favorites) .

British Science

Britain has been very influential in the fields of science and lead the way during the Scientific Revolution of the 1600s. One of it's major contributions came from Sir Isaac Newton, who published groundbreaking laws of motion and gravity in his publication of the Principia in 1687. This discovery paved the way for modern physics and brought about advancements in industry and astronomy. (I made a study on this several years ago, (see Study of Modern Physics).

Another very influential British scientist was Charles Darwin, who made major contributions to the fields of biological theory. In 1859 he published a groundbreaking study called the Origin of Species, which introduced an new theory of evolution. Essentially this theory challenged religious teachings, in that human life had evolved from amoeba cells and primates. Today this theory is generally accepted as fact, and despite some opposition from ultra conservative Creationists, there is no reason this discovery cannot be linked with religious teachings. (This is another very intriguing topic I intend to write about some day)

British Architecture

One of the oldest British monuments dates back to the prehistoric times, with Stonehenge believe to have been constructed in 2400 BC. During the Medieval times, England built many castles and cathedrals of architectural wonder such as the Windsor Castle (it's longest standing castle to this day). In the 12th century they incorporated a style of English Gothic architecture, which featured arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires. Some famous examples include the Westminster Abbey, the Canterbury Cathedral, and the Winchester Cathedral.

Following the Great Fire of 1666, much of London had to be rebuilt. Britain thus entered a new stage of architecture during it's Baroque era which lasted thru  the 1800s. Many masterful buildings were designed using a new style of Georgian and Victorian architecture. This was a return to classical such as Buckingham Palace, the House of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower Bridge of London.  In the 1900s they embarked on modernist architecture to cater to the booming business and technological markets of it's time. Some examples of these modern buildings include Lloyd's Building and Swiss Re Building (also known as the The Gherkin).

British Music

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of British music is of course my favorite band of all time, the Beatles. Their rebellious rock and roll style defined the 1960s counterculture era and made way for a British invasion of new music. Many British bands thrived during this time and have made a significant impact on musical culture such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd (some of my favorites). Even after the 1960s, Great Britain continued to lead the way with great popular musicians such as Eric Clapton, Elton John, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Van Morrison, Spice Girls, Adele, and another of my favorites Coldplay.

However even before the 1960s, when Britain became a thriving place for popular music, they still had a long, rich, and patriotic musical tradition. Folk songs and nursery rhymes date back to the 1500s, with popular tunes such as "London Bridge" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". The national anthem, "God Save the Queen" is a homage to their longstanding monarchy and proud tradition. In the 1900s, composers such as Edward Elgar and Benjamin Brittain helped bring an identity to British classical music.

British Sports

I've already written numerous times about my appreciation for English soccer (see The English Football League, Barclays Premier League, The FA Cup, 2014 EPL clubs) so I won't spend too much time on that sport here. I will mention however that their fans are some of the most passionate in the world. Their national team has had some good runs in the World Cup, including a championship in 1966 when they hosted the tournament. Also worth mentioning is that the rules of association futbol were first drafted in the UK in 1863, and they have some of the oldest clubs in the world.

Some other very popular sports that originated in the United Kingdom are the sport of golf. It's modern day format became popular in Scotland in the late 1500s and soon the game spread throughout Britain. Other sports that originated in Britain include boxing, rugby, tennis, horse-racing, and cricket.

Britain serves as host to many notable national tournaments in these sports including the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the British Golf Open Championships. They also played an important role in formatting the modern day Olympic games, and have hosted in 1908, 1948, and 2012.

British Cuisine

When I think of British food, the first thing that comes to mind is a spot of tea and some crumpets (English version of pancakes). Tea is the most popular drink in the United Kingdom, and is often drank with breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. Baking is also a defining feature of British cuisine, as they have many forms of cakes, pies, and pastries.

Some of it's most popular dishes include the Sunday Roast (roasted beef, mashed potatoes, and biscuits), fish and chips, and various forms of meat pies. Cheddar cheese is also popular in meals since it originated from the English town of Cheddar, Somerset. One other very popular British custom are their public houses and pubs where many forms of beer are served.    

British Movies

There have been so many good movies about British history and culture, perhaps part of the reason I'm so fascinated by their culture. Some notable names include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean, Richard Burton, Vivien Leigh, Peter O'Toole, Alec Guiness, Julie Andrews, Michael Caine, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Laurence Olivier, Ridley Scott, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, Julie Christie, Judi Dench, Albert Finney, Kate Winslet, Daniel Day Lewis and many many more. Here is a list of some films that embody British culture.

• Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
• Zulu (1964)
• My Fair Lady (1964)
• Sound of Music (1965)
• Oliver (1968)
• James Bond film series (1960s-present)
• A Clockwork Orange (1970)
• The English Patient (1996)
• Shakespeare in Love (1998) (see Movie Masterpiece)
• Elizabeth (1998)
• Harry Potter series (2001-2011)
• Love Actually (2003)
• The Queen (2006)
• Children of Men (2006)
• The King's Speech (2010)
• The Theory of Everything (2014)
• The Imitation Game (2014)

British Monarchy: House of Windsor

In 1917 King George V, issued a Royal Proclamation to change the family dynasty's German name of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor. This was due to the growing anti-sentiment towards Germany from the onset of WWI. In a further act of separation, King George stripped many of his German relatives of their British titles, such as his cousin German Emperor Wilhelm II. The name Windsor was rooted deep into England's royal identity, most specifically the Windsor Castle.

The change of household name was only a symbolic gesture and did not change any format to the constitutional monarchy. The line of monarchs were still descendants from the House of Hanover and Saxe-Coburg. Nonetheless this changed marked a major historical turning point, as political tension had spread throughout Europe and onto a global basis. With the aftermath of WWI and later WWII, Empires and monarchies around Europe would eventually collapse. In 1931 the British Empire transitioned to a Commonwealth of Nations, which allowed it's dominions to govern themselves.

In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to begin a peaceful and prosperous reign that continues to this day. For 63 years she has reigned and is only months away from surpassing Queen Victoria as the longest sitting monarch in English history. She has demonstrated great character and resolve serving as a symbolic yet also a diplomatic tool of British identity. Its an identity that is centered around it's monarchy, which has endured political, technological, and social changes for over a 1000 years,

House of Windsor (1910-present)

King George V

Reign: 1910-1936
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Mary of Teck
Children: Edward VIII, George VI, Mary, Henry, George, John
Historical Bio: He was the son of King Edward VII, and succeeded his father to the throne in 1910. His reign consisted of political turmoil throughout Europe which saw the rise of socialism, communism, fascism, and revolutions in Ireland and India. During which his cousin Nicholas II sat on the throne of Russia, while his other cousin Wilhelm sat on the throne of Germany. During WWI he changed his dynasty name from Saxe-Coburg to Windsor, due to anti-German sentiment. Following WWI he dealt with the growing movement of Irish republicanism led by revolutionaries such as Michael Collins. The Irish War of Independence from 1919 to 1921, saw the eventual independence of Ireland and the Establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1937. King George also dealt with the Indian Independence Movement, which was initiated in 1915 by Mahtma Ghandi and eventually saw their liberation in 1947. By the end of WWI many monarchies and empires throughout Europe had ended, however the British Monarchy endured. Nonetheless in 1931 the British Empire decided it was time to recognize global independence. King George signed Parliaments' Statute of Westminster which established a Commonwealth Realm, of self-governing nations.

King Edward VIII

Reign: 1936
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Wallis Sampson
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of King George V and succeeded his father to the throne. However his reign was cut very short due to a disagreement with parliament over his marriage. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who had already been divorced twice. However this was strongly opposed by Parliament. In order to avoid any further civil conflict Edward abdicated his throne so he could marry Wallis. His brother, Albert succeeded him as King George VI. Edward spent the remaining of his life with Wallis and a Duke of Windsor. During WWII he was accused of being a Nazi sympathizer and after the war spent the last of his years without official appointment or title.

King George VI

Reign: 1936-1952
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Children: Elizabeth II, Margaret
Historical Bio: He was the second son of King George V, and reluctantly succeeded his brother Edward after he had abdicated his throne. George thus inherited the throne in a very unstable period, against the rise of Nazi Germany. He also continued with the early transitions of the Commonwealth Realms and Ireland as a free state. During WWII, he worked closely with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to bring hope and strength to a nation at war. In 1947 he recognized India's independence and a year later Ireland's independence in 1948.  By the end of WWII, the British empire had declined and was no longer a super-power like the United States and the Soviet Union. Nonetheless King George was victorious by withstanding one of the darkest periods in history. He died at the age of 56 and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth II, became queen.


Queen Elizabeth II

Reign: 1952-present
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Prince Philip
Children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, Edward
Historical Bio: She is the eldest daughter of King George VI, and succeeded her father in the post-war era. She has overseen the continuing evolution of the Commonwealth Realms. To this day there are 16 nations that are a part of the Commonwealth Realm, and under the queen's dominion. This includes many Caribbean nations such as Jamaica and the Bahamas. As well as others where she sits as regent queen such as UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. Elizabeth II has furthered the House of Windsor through her upstanding public image and diplomatic relations. She has overseen many changes such as decolonization in Africa as well as the devolution of the United Kingdom. She has overseen a new age of broadcast and media, which has helped lift the royalty's standing through the public's curiosity. However this media attention also brought negative affects with the unfolding of her son Charles' divorce to Princess Diana, and her tragic death in a car crash. However despite all this she has remained very popular throughout he reign with both the public and the Parliament. She is the oldest living British monarch, and is only months away from passing Queen Victoria's longevity of 63 years as queen. Her eldest son Prince Charles is her heir apparent, and his son Prince William is second in line. 

British Monarchy: The House of Hanover

With the Act of Settlement in 1701, Catholics were no longer allowed to sit on the English throne. This resulted in the abrupt end to the House of Stuart with Queen Anne, and ushered in the House of Hanover with King George in 1714. It also marked an important transition to a more Parliament controlled government over the monarchy. Nonetheless the Monarch still had many powers as they sat at the cross section of the united kingdoms of Scotland, Ireland, and England to reign over what had become Great Britain.


The House of Hanover were originally from Germany, however were able to plant themselves in English nobility through arranged marriages. It was their Protestant faith, that brought them the throne, when Queen Anne was unable to produce an heir. George was the son of Sophia of Hanover who was the Granddaughter of King James, making him a distant cousin to Queen Anne. This caused some upheaval from the House of Stuart, however nothing of major threat. Thus the House of Hanover fittingly served as the transitional dynasty in Parliaments newly formatted constitutional monarchy.

Their period was rather stable and influenced by the politics of their time. In 1721 the Parliament established an office for a Prime Minister, who presided over Parliament and shared many authorities that were once held by the monarch. Robert Walpole was the first sitting Prime Minister and sat in office until 1741. During the reign of King George III, the English Colonies were loss as a result of the American Revolutionary War of 1775-1783. Nonetheless the British kingdom had still expanded into an empire during this period, covering one third of the globe. They had territory in Australia, India, Africa, the Caribbean, as well as Canada which gave way to the famous saying that the sun never set on the British Empire.

House of Hanover (1714-1901)

King George

Reign: 1714-1727
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Sophia of Celle
Children: George II, Sophia
Historical Bio: He was Queen Anne's distant cousin and closest living Protestant relative who was able to ascend to throne due to the Act of Settlement. His ascension to the throne in 1714 marked the beginning of the House of Hanover as well as the Constitutional Monarchy. His reign was challenged early by James Francis Stuart, the son of King James II, in a failed rebellion known as the Jacobite Rising of 1715. Following this event, his reign was mostly made up of family tension between his wife and son. He did not speak fluent English and did not get too involved with the Parliament, which allowed them much freedom in their policies. During his reign the first Prime Minister came to office in 1721, Robert Walpole.


King George II

Reign: 1727-1760
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Caroline of Ansbach
Children: Frederick, Anne, Amelia, Caroline, William, Mary, Louisa
Historical Bio: He was the only son of King George, and succeeded his father in 1727. Just like his father before him, he had little involvement in Parliament. He was however the last British monarch to lead his army into battle during the War of Austrian Succession. He also put down the last of the Jacobite rebellions, bringing in an end to the Stuart/Catholic claim to the throne. Both his male children died before his time, so he was succeeded by his grandson, George III, son of Frederick.

King George III

Reign: 1760-1820
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Charlotte of Mecklenburg
Children: George IV, Frederick, William IV, Charlotte, Edward, Augusta, Elizabeth, Ernest, Agustus, Aldolphus, Mary, Sophia, Octavius, Alfred, Amelia
Historical Bio: He was the son of Frederick and grandson of King George II, and succeeded to the throne in 1760. He was the first Hanover king to have been born in Britain and spoke fluent English, however just as his predecessors he took a back set to Parliament's control. Nonetheless his reign was the longest prior to it's time, and a very eventful one as he resided over a number of military conflicts. From 1754-1763, Britain became the strongest power in Europe after defeating France in the Seven Years War; part of which was fought in the colonies during the French and Indian War. However this conflict was later followed by the American Revolutionary War 1775-1783, which granted the colonies their independence from British control. Following this King George dealt with the French Revolution as well as the Napoleonic Wars that lasted from 1803-1815. In 1815 his British armies defeated the rising dictator Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo. He spent the final part of his years suffering from mental illness and was eventually succeeded by his eldest son George IV.

King George IV

Reign: 1820-1830
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Caroline of Brunswick
Children: Charlotte
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of King George III, who succeeded his father in 1820. He had served as regent king during his father's final years of illness. He played little role in the politics of the time, that saw Lord Liverpool reside over the government. In 1829, although he was against it, he accepted Catholic Emancipation, which repealed many of the previous strict laws against religious tolerance. He was as a patron of arts and fashion and commissioned many new forms of architecture. He had many disputes with his wife as well as mistresses, and was unable to provide an heir to the throne.

King William IV

Reign: 1830-1837
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
Children: Elizabeth
Historical Bio: He was the son of King George III, and succeeded his brother George IV, at the age of 62. Although he did not play an influential role on the government, he still oversaw several changes in law such as poverty relief, child labor restrictions, and the abolishment of slavery. He also signed the Great Reform Act of 1832 which changed the format of Parliament, and gave more voice to the public voters. By the time of his death, he did not have a legitimate heir, and the succession passed on to his niece, Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria

Reign: 1837-1901
Dynasty: House of Hanover

Marriage: Albert of Saxe-Coburg
Children: Edward VII, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold
Historical Bio: She was the granddaughter of King George III, and succeeded her uncle King William IV to the throne at age 18. Although she understood the role of monarch had become symbolic, she still played an influential role on policies behind the curtains. Her long reign of 63 years became the longest of any British monarch and was a prosperous one that has become known as the Victorian Era. During this period the British Empire continued to expand much thanks to advancements in science, government, and industry. The Industrial Revolution had taken a hold of Europe, which became the backbone of Britain's thriving economy. This peaceful time also brought about a cultural and artistic rebirth, that became part of the Bella Epoque. She had nine children, all of which were married into noble families across Europe. When her husband died in 1861 she went through a very depressive time and avoided publicity for a while, however later returned. She was very popular with the general public, and was able to sway and influence Parliament until her death. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Edward VII, which marked a break from the House of Hanover and on to the House of Saxe-Coburg.

House of Saxe-Coburg (1901-1910)

King Edward VII

Reign: 1901-1910
Dynasty: House of Saxe-Coburg
Marriage: Alexandra of Denmark
Children: Albert, George V, Louise, Victoria, Maud
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who succeeded his mother's long reign in the year 1901. His influence in governing was far less influential than his mother and he rather served as a fashionable symbol of royalty. He was also very fond of traveling, and went on numerous public relations voyages. His short ten year reign has been described as the Edwardian Era. It was a peaceful time that gave way to advancements in science, technology, and the rise of socialism throughout Europe. He was the first and only monarch from the German House of Saxe-Coburg. The dynasty name was later changed by his son George V, to the House of Windsor due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. 

British Monarchy: The House of Stuart

In 1603, after the death of Queen Elizabeth, the House of Tudor was left without an heir. The throne of England was passed onto Elizabeth's cousin, James VI from the House of Stuart, who had also been the sitting king of Scotland since 1567. This marked another major transition in English history, with the Union of Crowns. As the sitting king of England and Scotland, as well as lordship over Ireland, the three kingdoms were merged into a united kingdom known as Great Britain. However the Kingdom of Great Britain was not officially recognized until Queen Anne signed the Treaty of Union in 1706.  

King James reigned over all three kingdoms for 22 prosperous years known as the Jacobean Era. It was a continuation of the Elizabeth Golden Age, with flourishing culture inspired from the Renaissance. The colonization of the New World was expanding Britain's empire and fortune. However there were still civil and religious conflicts at bay. Such as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an assault against the monarchy by English Catholics such as Guy Fawkes and Henry Garnet. While this act of treason was subdued, it marked an early precursor to the approaching English Civil War.

In 1642, the General Oliver Cromwell lead a successful uprising against the monarchy to establish a parliament. The English Civil War lasted from 1642-1653 and resulted in the dissolution of the monarchy, the execution of King Charles I, and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England. Oliver Cromwell served as Lord Protector of the new government, for 5 years until his death in 1658, where he was succeeded by his son Richard Cromwell. Richard however only served for one year and due to his lack of authority, the monarchy was eventually restored in 1660 by King Charles II. 

The House of Stuart thus returned to the throne, however there was still instability over the throne in the years to follow. Much of this had to due with King James II's conversion to Catholicism. This resulted in heavy opposition from the majority of Protestants in England, and resulted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. King James II was deposed while Queen Mary and William III of Orange ruled jointly over Scotland and England. As a result, Catholics were no longer allowed to sit on the throne of England. In 1707 Queen Anne solidified the unification of Great Britain with the Parliament signings of the Acts of Union. Thus the Kingdom of Scotland and Kingdom of England became merged into a single united kingdom known as Great Britain.

House of Stuart (1603-1714)

King James

Reign: 1603-1625  

Dynasty: House of Stuart

Marriage: Anne of Denmark

Children: Henry, Elizabeth, Charles I

Historical Bio: He was the son of Mary Queen of the Scots, and succeeded his mother to the throne in 1567. He was the cousin to Queen Elizabeth of England, and following her death without an heir, he assumed the throne of England in a joint rulership of the two kingdoms. This marked a new age for English history and the foundation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. However peace and cultural prosperity still continued into Jame's reign from the Elizabethan Age. This era became known as the Jacobean era, of which the king himself was an avid patron of the arts. However he still dealt with numerous conflicts during his reign, such as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed plot by Guy Hawkes and Catholic extremists to blow up the House of Parliament. The continued tension between Catholics and Protestants had spread throughout Europe at this time, resulting in the Thirty Years War, from 1618 to 1648, of which England took a part in. King James also dealt with rising tensions with the House of Parliament, and left his son Charles, with many domestic and foreign problems.

King Charles 

Reign: 1625-1649

Dynasty: House of Stuart

Marriage: Henrietta Maria of France

Children: Charles II, Mary, James II, Elizabeth, Anne, Henry, Henrietta

Historical Bio: He was the second son of King James, and succeeded his father to throne in 1625 as King of Scotland, Ireland, and England. He however inherited rising tensions on all fronts; against Parliament, Catholics, Scottish rebellions, Irish rebellions, Spain, and the ongoing Thirty Years War. He however continued to strengthen his powers as monarch, which would eventually lead to dissension among Parliament and the on start of the English Civil War. Lead by General Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army, the Parliament "Roundheads" waged war against King Charles' Royalists "Cavaliers" from 1642-1651. The war had three stages to it, however was concluded with Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Worcester. In 1649 King Charles was executed and Oliver Cromwell ushered in a new government known as the Commonwealth of England. 

This fall of the English monarchy lasted for 10 years and has become known as the Interregnum. During this period Oliver Cromwell served as Lord Protector over England, Scotland, and Ireland. After his death in 1659, his youngest son Richard Cromwell was unable to secure his father's new government. By 1660 the monarchy was eventually restored by King Charles' eldest son Charles II. Oliver Cromwell's dead body was dug up and subjected to a posthumous execution, as a symbol of the monarch's return to power. Oliver's son Richard spent the last of his years in exile.         

King Charles II

Reign: 1660-1685

Dynasty: House of Stuart

Marriage: Catherine of Braganza

Children: 12 illegitimate children from mistresses

Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of King Charles I, and fled the kingdom after his father was executed at the hands of Oliver Cromwell. He thus spent 9 years in exile, during the English Commonwealth. After the death of Cromwell he was peacefully welcomed back into England in the year 1660 to reclaim his throne and restore the monarchy. During this Restoration period all three kingdoms were once again united as Great Britain. However political instability continued between the monarchy and the parliament. He also dealt with a terrible plague and the Great Fire of London in 1666. As well as foreign turmoil with the Dutch, which led to Second Anglo-Dutch War from 1665 to 1667, and ultimately the loss of English territory. His conflicts with Parliament continued onto his death in 1685, at which point he converted to Catholicism. This angered the Protestant majority of England, especially when Charles' brother, James II, who was also a Catholic convert, succeeded him to the throne. 

King James II

Reign: 1685-1688

Dynasty: House of Stuart

Marriage: Anne Hyde

Children: Mary II, Anne I, James, Louisa, Henrietta, James, Henry

Historical Bio: He was the second son of King Charles I and succeeded his brother, Charles II, the throne in 1685. He was welcomed with great dissension among the nobles due to his Catholic faith and pro-France leanings. In 1688 Parliament called upon the prince of Netherlands, William of Orange, to invade England. William was the son-in-law to King James, married to his eldest daughter Mary II who was a stern Protestant. Upon the arrival of William's Dutch army, the King peacefully resigned his throne in what has become known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688. He was thus succeeded by his daughter Mary II and her husband William III of Orange. Together they ruled the Kingdom of Britain while James II spent the last of his years living in exile in France. Parliament was very pleased with this outcome and also passed legislation that a Catholic could no longer sit on the throne.  

King William III and Queen Mary II

Reign: 1689-1702

Dynasty: House of Stuart

Children: No children

Historical Bio: Following the Glorious Revolution, Queen Mary, daughter of King James II, and her husband William of Orange ruled jointly over the Kingdom of Britain. Both were devout Protestants and committed to the advancement of the Church of England as well as the Protestant Reformation that was sweeping thru Europe. They engaged in military conflicts over religion, specifically against France during the Nine Years War from 1688 to 1697. They joined a Grand Alliance of Protestant kingdoms that were able to defeat King Louis XIV's French armies and be recognized as Protestant kingdoms. Upon Mary's death in 1694 he continued his reign and strengthening of Protestantism. By 1701 he signed the Act of Settlement which recognized his sister-in-law Anne as the heir to the thrown. This act was also pivotal in relinquishing monarch power to the House of Parliament.  

Queen Anne

Reign: 1702-1714

Dynasty: House of Stuart

Marriage: Prince George of Denmark

Children: William

Historical Bio: She was the daughter of James II and succeeded her sister Mary and brother in law William to the throne in 1702. Her reign was quickly defined by tension with Spain and France, that resulted in the War of Spanish Succession from 1701 to 1714. She also dealt with growing political factions that favored either the monarchy or Parliament. In 1706 she worked with Parliament to unite the governments of Scotland and England into a single kingdom with one government. It became known as Great Britain and went into effect in 1707, as a Parliament controlled state, however still recognized the monarchy. Queen Anne however was unable to produce an heir, and therefore her House of Stuart passed over to her distant relative George from the House of Hanover. The reason for this distant heir was due to laws prohibiting Catholics to sit on the throne. George was Protestant and ushered in a new era for the House of Hanover, yet also a Parliament controlled kingdom. 

English Monarchy: The House of Tudor

The conclusion to the War of Roses marked a major historical turning point for England. It ushered in a new era, away from the Middle Ages and onto a Golden Age. Part of this upward shift had to do with the invention of the printing press, the discovery of the new world, and the Renaissance that was sweeping Europe at the time. England thus found themselves at the threshold of art, culture, exploration, and power much thanks to the leadership of the House of Tudor.

By defeating King Richard III from the House of Lancaster, King Henry VII ushered in his Tudor dynasty to the throne of England. The next 100 years marked significant change for England. The Tudors strengthened their control of territories such as Wales and Ireland. They broke away from the Catholic Church when King Henry VIII was not allowed to have his marriage annulled. The arts would go on to flourish and establish an English identity
. The Tudors also gave way to the 1st queens to sit on the throne, Jane, Mary, and eventually the great Queen Elizabeth. 

This era is often referred to as the English Renaissance, that allowed artists such as William Shakespeare to prosper. It was the age of exploration where many English settlers such as Francis Drake began exploring and eventually colonizing the new world. It also consisted of the English Reformation, where the Church of England gave way for Protestants. This age reached it's height during the 45 year reign of Queen Elizabeth.

House of Tudor (1485-1603)

King Henry VII

Reign: 1485-1509

Dynasty: House of Tudor

Marriage: Elizabeth of York

Children: Arthur, Margaret, Henry, Elizabeth, Mary, Edmund, Katherine

Historical Bio: He defeated King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and crowned himself king from the House of Tudor. Following years of civil war, he was able to restore stability with the nobles of the kingdom. While he still dealt with numerous rebellions throughout his reign he was able to secure his kingdom through strategic marriages and economic initiatives. He was also very involved in foreign relations, and secured peace with the French and Scottish. He was also very aware of the rising Spanish kingdom, and in an attempt to maintain good relations he arranged a marriage between his eldest son Arthur to the daughter of King Ferdinand, Catherine of Aragon. Following the sudden death of Arthur shortly after, he renewed his alliance through the marriage of his 2nd son, Henry with Catherine in 1509. He died that year and his son Henry VIII succeeded him to the throne. 

King Henry VIII

Reign: 1509-1547

Dynasty: House of Tudor

Marriage: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, Catherine Parr

Children: Mary, Elizabeth, Edward, 

Historical Bio: He was the 2nd son of King Henry VII, and succeeded his father to the throne in 1509. He is perhaps one of the most famous of the English monarchies and lived a very eventful life. He was very athletic, intelligent, and a stout patron of the arts. He spent the early part of his reign maintaining the good relations his father had established. This included the nobles, yet also with France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. However by 1520, Henry began to grow anxious as his wife, Catherine, had only produced him a daughter, Mary, and not a male heir. This would eventually lead to royal divorce that was disputed by the Catholic Church. In a sheer act of defiance against the Pope, Henry went ahead and divorced his wife Catherine of Aragon, and married Anne Boleynn. He was later excommunicated by the Pope, and thus led to the English Reformation and the Church of England. By 1536, his second wife, Anne Boleyn, had only produced him a female child, Elizabeth, and not a male heir. He later accused her of treason and had her executed. It was his third wife, Jane Seymour who finally gave him his male heir of Edward VI, in 1537. Following her death Henry would go on to marry three more times, making for a total of 6 marriages throughout his reign. By the end of his reign, he began to grow overly obese and died at the age of 55. His son Edward VI would go on to succeed him in 1547. 

King Edward VI

Reign: 1547-1553

Dynasty: House of Tudor

Marriage: No marriage or children

Historical Bio: He was the son of King Henry VIII, and succeeded his father to the throne at the young age of 9. His early reign was controlled by noble regents each trying to increase their power. Nonetheless he still played an active role as a young teenager and was especially influential on the advancement of the English Protestant Reformation. However through his lack of military experience, he lost territory to Scotland and parts of northern France. He grew ill at the young age of 15, and on his deathbed he accepted his cousin Jane, as his heir. His intentions were to avoid the kingdom from returning to Catholicism. 

Queen Jane 

Reign: 1553

Dynasty: House of  Suffolk

Marriage: Lord Guilford Dudley

Historical Bio: She was the niece of King Henry VIII and daughter of Henry Gray, Duke of Suffolk. She succeeded her dying cousin, King Edward VI at the young age of 17 to become the first Queen of England. However after the death of her cousin, she was turned against by the king's council who felt Mary, eldest daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon was the rightful heir. After only 9 days as Queen, Jane was murdered in the tower of London, and Mary assumed to the throne. 

Queen Mary

Reign: 1553-1558

Dynasty: House of Tudor

Marriage: Philip II of Spain

Historical Bio: She was the eldest daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and took the throne after the execution of Jane. Her interests were immediately aligned with the Spanish Kingdom and restoring Catholicism as the official Church of England. She married King Philip of Spain in 1554 to align both powerful kingdoms. She became known as "Bloody Mary" for her strict persecution of Protestants, burning over 200 at the stake. However her reign was short lived as she became very ill and died in 1558 without an heir. She was then succeeded by her sister, Elizabeth who quickly restored the Protestant Church of England. 

Queen Elizabeth

Reign: 1558-1603

Dynasty: House of Tudor

Marriage: No Marriage or Children

Historical Bio: She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and succeeded her sister Mary to the throne. Her first act as queen was to reestablish the English Protestant Church that her father had established and her sister Mary had reversed. She maintained political stability for the majority of her reign, however tensions grew with the Spanish Kingdom, mostly due to religion. The conflict finally broke into a series of intermittent battles from 1585-1604 known as the Anglo-Spanish War. One of the most famous of these battles was the English victory at the Spanish Armada in 1588. Commanded by Sir Francis Drake, the English Navy was able to repel the Spanish invasion through the use of fire-ships and tactical maneuvers. It brought Queen Elizabeth a glorious reputation  throughout her kingdom. Her era has become referred to as the Elizabethan Era, due to it's flourishing of the arts, especially theater and drama. She was herself a patron and admirer of the famed playwright, William Shakespeare. She reigned for 45 years however never got married or produced an heir. After her death in 1603 she was succeeded by her cousin, James I from the House of Stuart. King James would eventually go on to establish a Union of Crowns between England and Ireland, making way for what would become Great Britain.  

English Monarchy: The House of Plantagenet

The family dynasty of Plantagenet descended from the county of Anjou in France. It was the Empress Matilda from the House of Norman who married Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou, to bring the name into English royalty. Their child, Henry II became king of England in 1154 and was technically the first of the Plantagenet dynasty to sit on the throne. However historians dispute that King Henry II and his two successors (King Richard and King John Lackland) were of French Angevin interest. Following the fall of the Angevin Empire in 1214, and the death of King John Lackland, the English Monarchy became more English in nature. Thus the Plantagenet era is often associated with the start of King Henry III in 1216.

It is a timely transition in English history where the kingdom grew in power. This was achieved thru campaigns of military aggression into Wales and Scotland on their western border and disputes with France on the east. The Hundred Years War lasted from 1337-1453 and made up a good portion of the Plantagenet era. The dynasty was also influential on the advancement of English society and culture. Notable artists such as Geoffrey Chaucer, (writer of the Canterbury Tales and considered the father of English literature), flourished during this time.

House of Plantagenet (1216-1399)



King Henry III

Reign: 1216-1272
Dynasty: House of Plantagenet
Marriage: Eleanor of Provence
Children: Edward I, Margaret, Beatrice, Edmund, Katherine
Historical Bio: He succeeded his father, King John, at the very young age of 9. The dispute of the Magna Carta and the Barons continued after the stalemate of the First Barons War. Once he was of age, King Henry began an ambitious reign. He led numerous military campaigns into France to regain loss territory however all were loss. He also initiated many building projects payed by charitable donations yet also heavy taxes. This lead to further rebellions and dissension among the nobles, which caused the Second Barons War from 1264-1267. The barons, led by Simon de Montford, were successful in capturing King Henry, however de Montford was later killed and defeated by King Henry's son, Prince Edward at the Battle of Evesham. Henry spent his last years rebuilding his kingdom from the damages of the civil war until he died in 1272. He is the fourth longest reigning English monarch at 56 years as king.  

King Edward Longshanks

Reign: 1272-1307
Dynasty: House of Plantagenet
Marriage: Eleanor of Castille
Children: Eleanor, Joan, Alphonso, Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, Edward II, Thomas, Edmund
Historical Bio: He was the son of King Henry II, and a well respected military leader, who succeeded his father as king, on his journey home from the 9th Crusade. His reign was made up of various military campaigns, beginning with a total conquest of Wales from 1277 to 1283. Following his conquest of Wales, he declared lordship over Scotland, which lead to the First War of Scottish Independence from 1296-1328. The Scottish were defiant in submitting to English rule, and through the leadership of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace were able to maintain their independence. This war continued after Edward's death, and his weak son Edward II was left with the conflict as well as many financial troubles.

King Edward II

Reign: 1307-1327
Dynasty: House of Plantagenet
Marriage: Isabella of France
Children: Edward III, John, Eleanor, Joan, Adam
Historical Bio: He was the 2nd eldest son of King Edward, and succeeded his father as king in the midst of heavy conflict. He married Queen Isabella of France as an effort to ease tensions with the French kingdom. His reign is often criticized for his unpopular relations with the nobles as well as weak leadership. In 1314 his army suffered a decisive defeat to the Scottish armies of Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn. Following his failed campaigns in Scotland, a great Famine occurred from 1315-1317. He had many noble enemies and put down numerous rebellions throughout his reign. However by 1325 his French wife, Isabella turned against and him. With the aid of the noble Roger Mortimer, she waged war on her husband and deposed of him. Edward II fled to Wales however was later captured and murdered. Roger Mortimer became the sitting ruler, until too was dethroned and murdered. The rightful heir, Edward's eldest son Edward III took to the throne in 1327.

King Edward III

Reign: 1327- 1377
Dynasty: House of Plantagenet
Marriage: Philippa of Hainault
Children: Edward, Isabella, Joan, Lionel, John, Edmund, Mary, Margaret, Thomas
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of Edward II, and took the throne at the young age of 14. He quickly deposed of the sitting ruler and noblemen, Roger Mortimer, to become the undisputed king. Thru victories against the nobles and the Scottish he quickly established himself as a powerful leader. In the year 1337, he began a military campaign against the French, which became the start of the Hundred Years War. By 1346 his army had landed in Normandy and defeated King Philip in the Battle of Crecy. From 1346-1353 his country was devastated by the Black Death. The war continued however with his decisive victory against the French at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. This eventually lead to the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360, which secured English dominance of French territory. (It would only last for 9 years however until the war resumed) In his 50 year reign King Edward III established England as one of the strongest powers in Europe.

King Richard II
Reign: 1377-1399
Dynasty: House of Plantagenet
Marriage: No Marriage or children
Historical Bio: He was the grandson of King Edward III, and son of Edward the Black Prince. Since his father died before the death of his grandfather King Edward III, he assumed the throne as next male heir in line. Early in his reign, at the age of 14, he faced a major rebellion known as the Peasants Revolt of 1381. He was able to suppress the uprising and murder all it's leaders. His throne was challenged in 1387 by aristocrat nobles, known as the Lords' Appellant. He murdered many of the noble leaders who opposed him. However in 1399, Henry of Bollingbroke, the son of an exiled nobleman, sought revenge for his father's murder at the king's hands and waged a successful coup of the throne. King Richard II was deposed at the hands of Henry of Bollingbroke, who went on to rule as King Henry IV.

House of Lancaster (1399-1471) 

King Henry IV

Reign: 1399-1413
Dynasty: House of Lancaster
Marriage: Marry de Bohun, Joan of Navarre
Children: Henry V, Thomas, John, Humphrey, Blanche,
Historical Bio: He was the grandson of King Edward III, who avenged his exiled father, John of Gaunt, by deposing the sitting king Richard II. His early reign consisted of many rebellions from noblemen and the Welsh. By 1408 he had gained control of his kingdom, however suffered from sickness until his death. During his final years, many of his responsibilities passed on to his eldest son Henry V, who would go on to succeed him.

King Henry V

Reign: 1413-1422
Dynasty: House of Lancaster
Marriage: Catherine of Valois
Children: Henry VI

Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of Henry IV and succeeded his father to the throne. He was well experienced in military leadership having defeated many rebellions during his father's reign. In 1415 he engaged his army against the French in what became the third and final stage of the Hundred Years War. He won a famous victory at the Battle of Agincourt and nearly had dominated France before his unexpected death in 1422. Before his death he married the French king Charles VI's daughter, Catherine of Valois, and their infant son Henry VI succeeded his father to the throne.

King Henry VI

Reign: 1422-1461; 1470-1471
Dynasty: House of Lancaster
Marriage: Margaret of Anjou
Children: Edward
Historical Bio: He was the only son of Henry V, and became ruler of both England and France at the age of 1. His reign was governed by regents until 1437 when he came of age. By this point the Hundred Years War began to shift to France's advantage thanks to their leadership of Joan of Arc. By 1453 Henry VI had lost control of the northern French territories as well as his reign over the French Kingdom, which marked an end Hundred Years War. Upon returning to his sole kingdom of England, he began to slip into a madness and his wife Margaret took over his roles. In 1454 a new conflict arose within his kingdom, as the House of York began to dispute his right to the throne. This lead to a civil war of the nobles, known as the War of Roses. By 1461, the noble Duke of York, Edward IV, defeated the House of Lancaster at the Battle of Towton and assumed the throne for ten years. During this time Henry fled to Scotland with his wife, however would later return in 1470 to regain his throne. Henry was once again defeated however in 1471 by Edward IV at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Shortly after he was murdered in the tower of London, and the House of York laid claim to the throne once again.

House of York (1461-1485)

King Edward IV

Reign: 1461-1470; 1471-1483
Dynasty: House of York
Marriage: Elizabeth Woodville
Children: Elizabeth, Mary, Cecily, Edward V, Richard, Anne, George, Catherine, Bridget
Historical Bio: He was a nobleman from the House of York, who defeated King Henry VI twice throughout the War of Roses. He first ascended to the throne in 1461, however continued to deal with the civil war against the House of Lancaster. In 1470 he lost control of the throne back to King Henry VI, however returned again in 1471. Once King Henry VI was murdered, he lived out the remaining of his reign in peace. He is also known for establishing peace with France. He unexpectedly died in 1483 at the young age of 43, and his 12 year old son Edward succeeded him as king.

King Edward V

Reign: 1483
Dynasty: House of York
Marriage: No Marriage or children
Historical Bio: He succeeded his father Edward IV as king at the young age of 12 however was never crowned due to his very brief reign of only three months. His uncle, Richard, became the young king's protector however Richard had interests of his own to take the throne. King Edward and his brother Richard Shrewsbury, both heir apparents were mysteriously taken to the Tower of London and murdered, whilst Richard was able to ascend to the throne.

King Richard III

Reign: 1483-1485
Dynasty: House of York
Marriage: Anne Neville
Children: Edward, John
Historical Bio: He was the brother of King Edward IV and uncle to Edward V, who arguably usurped his ascension to the throne in 1483 with the mysterious disappearance of the young Edward V. As king he quickly attempted to bring peace among the nobles however there were still rebellions and further conflict. In 1485 he was finally defeated by the Lancastrians, at the Battle of Bosworth which brought a close to the War of Roses. Henry VII of Tudor killed the sitting king during the battle, thus ending the York dynasty, and beginning the Tudor dynasty. This marked a major transition in English history from the middle ages into it's Golden age. 

English Monarchy: The Norman Conquest

In the year 1066, the Anglo Saxon monarchy came to an abrupt end with the invasion by Duke WIlliam II of Normandy. He was a distant cousin of King Edward the Confessor, who had promised him the throne. After the death of King Edward, the House of Wessex had come to a close and the English monarchy was left without a legitimate heir. This led to much instability among the nobles and was the perfect time for foreign invasion. King Harold Godwinson took to the English helm and was able to fend off some early invasions from the Norweigen's, specifically at the victorious Battle of Stamford Bridge. However this battle in the north, limited the English armies in facing William's invasion from the south.

William had already established himself as a respected military commander and leader in northern France. His decision to invade England was supported by Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire as well as Pope Alexander II. His army consisted of approximately 10,000 Norman, Breton, and French soldiers. His army arrived on September 28th and were eventually met by King Harold's force on October 14th near the outskirts of Hastings.

The ensuing Battle of Hastings, is often considered one of the most famous battles in English history. Although the English were exhausted from their march from the north, they had the battlefield advantage. It lasted from 9am until tusk, and was a very close fought battle, almost even in numbers, with attacks and counter-attacks on both ends. However once King Harold fell in battle the English moral was dampened and led them to retreat. William had won the battle and was able to lay claim to the throne of England. Although there were several rebellions that followed, he became the undisputed king on Christmas Day.

Norman Kings (1066-1154)

King William the Conqueror

Reign: 1066-1087
Dynasty: House of Norman
Marriage: Matilda of Flanders
Children: Robert Curthouse, Richard, William II, Cecilia, Henry I, Adeliza, Constance, Adela
Historical Bio: Following his successful invasion of the English monarchy, William ushered in a new dynasty over the English Kingdom. His reign consisted of continuous rebellions and uprisings, however he held strong to his throne with his military might. In 1086 he requested a census of the land, in what became known as the Domesday Book, it was essentially a survey of the nobles. He also began a castle building campaign, which would later become strongholds of the middle-ages.

King William II

Reign: 1087-1100
Dynasty: House of Norman
Marriage: No Marriage or Children
Historical Bio: He was the third son of William the Conqueror, he succeeded his father after his death. He was often referred to as William the Red for his odd demeanor of being both aggressive yet flamboyant. He was however successful in maintaining his father's conquest as well. He extended the kingdom into Wales, and established a strong influence in Scotland. His lack of an heir and his death during a hunting accident have often been a suspicious matter.

King Henry


Reign:1100-1135
Dynasty: House of Norman
Marriage: Matilda of Scotland, Adeliza
Children: Matilda, William Adelin, Robert, Alice, Gilbert, Sybilla, Reginald, Robert, Matilda
Historical Bio: He was the fourth son of William the Conqueror, who succeeded his brother William II after his death. King Henry was considered a well educated man and also fluent in English. He secured stability with Scotland by marrying the princess Matilda. His rule was however contested by his brother, Robert Curthouse which led to a series of wars with Normandy and conflicts with France. He managed to strengthen the kingdoms systems of justice, local government, and taxation. He had a conflict of heir when his eldest son, William Adelin, died in a shipwreck disaster.  He then intended for his daughter Matilda to succeed him however the conflict ensued after his death. His Nephew Stephen, from the House of Blois took the throne, which resulted in a civil war known as The Anarchy.

King Stephen

Reign: 1135-1154
Dynasty: House of Blois
Marriage: Matilda
Children: Eustace, Marie, William
Historical Bio: He was a nephew to King Henry, and took to the throne, following the king's death without a legitimate male heir. This succession was disputed by King Henry's eldest daughter Matilda, who was also an empress of the Holy Roman Empire, in an arranged marriage. The succession crisis boiled into a civil war, between King Stephen and Empress Matilda. For the most part Stephen was able to repel the attack, however lost a portion of the kingdom in 1141. Matilda declared herself Queen of the English, however this was disputed and only lasted for several months. She would eventually retire to Normandy, however the civil war continued over the disputed throne. Matilda's son, Henry from the House of Plantagenet, was not ready to put the matter to rest. Whilst the anarchy continued Stephen intended to ensure his eldest son, Eustace would succeed him as his heir and had him crowned as king during his lifetime. However following the early death of Eustace, the church intervened on establishing an agreement. Stephen was to finish he reign and then Henry, the son of Matilda would succeed him. In the year 1154 the Anarchy came to a close, with the death of King Stephen, and the succession of King Henry.

Angevin Kings (1154-1216)

King Henry II

Reign: 1154-1189
Dynasty: House of Angevin
Marriage: Eleanor of Aqutaine
Children: Geoffrey, William, Henry, Matilda, Richard, Eleanor, Joan, John
Historical Bio: He was the son of Empress Matilda and Geoffrey Plantagenet from the House of Anjou. He claimed the throne through an agreement with King Stephen following the civil dispute of the Anarchy. His reign was an ambitious one, re-establishing order and territories that were lost during the civil war, including Wales. He extended the English territories into parts of France, which would become later become known as the Angevin Empire. He is also remembered for his dispute with the English church and it's privileges, which lead to the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. His children also shared his ambition, and there was much tension among the brothers of who should succeed their father. While Henry wanted his eldest son Henry the Young to become king, he was eventually supplanted by his strongest son Richard, who had the support of the French kingdom.

King Richard the Lionhearted

Reign: 1189-1199
Dynasty: House of Angevin
Marriage: Berengaria of Navarre
Children: Philip of Cognac
Historical Bio: He was the third son of Henry II, well respected for his military leadership, he was able to muscle his way to the throne, with the support of King Philip II of France. He is best associated for his military leadership of the Christian army during the Third Crusade. He lead his army on a march to Jerusalem and won many victories against the Muslim leadership of Saladin, however he did not conquer the land. His short reign was mostly spent outside the kingdom on military campaigns while his younger brother John was constantly scheming at the throne.

King John Lackland

Reign: 1199-1216
Dynasty: House of Angevin
Marriage: Isabella
Children: Henry VIII, Richard, Joan, Isabella, Eleanor
Historical Bio: He was the youngest son of King Henry II, and succeeded his elder brother King Richard after his death without an heir. The early part of his reign was focused on military campaigns against Normandy, that eventually fell to the control of King Philip II of France. With the collapse of his French territories and the Angevin Empire, King John Lackland began to raise heavy taxes on the people. This resulted in rebellions (such as the folk hero of Robin Hood) as well as much displeasure from the noble barons. This dispute was finally addressed in 1215 with the signing of the Magna Carta, which essentially took away rights from the monarchy while given more rights to the church, the nobles, and the people. However neither side were willing to concede their rights, which lead to the First Baron's War. In 1216 King John died and was succeeded by his young son Henry III. However the nobles invited their French allies to inherit the throne. King Louis VIII of France sat on the throne for a year, however it was a disputed illegitimate reign. At the end of the Baron's War, which ended in a stalemate, King Henry VIII was recognized as the rightful king of England.