England
Henry VII
Henry VIII
1485-1509
1509-1547
Edward VI
1547-1553
Mary I
1553-1558
Elizabeth I
1558-1603
James I
1603-1625
Charles I
1625-1649
Oliver Cromwell
1653-1658
Richard Cromwell
1658-1659
Charles II
1660-1685
James II
1685-1688
Tudor Dynasty
Father of Henry VIII. His policies helped to strengthen the English monarchy.
Famous king who started the Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England.
He broke with the Catholic Church after being denied an annulment from his first
wife. He went on to marry five more women in search of his male heir. He had two
of his wives executed. He ended up with three surviving heirs (Edward, Mary, and
Elizabeth)
Son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour (his third wife). He inherited the throne after his
father’s death. He ruled for a short time due to his own death.
Oldest surviving daughter of Henry VIII. Her mother was Henry’s first wife, Catherine
of Aragon. She was a Catholic and earned the nickname of “Bloody Mary” due to
her persecution of English Protestants. She married King Philip II of Spain.
Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She is one of the most famous monarchs
from English history. She ruled over England during a period of expansion and
growth of power. Her reign is sometimes known as the “Elizabethan Renaissance”
due to the patronage of the arts during her time on the throne. She was the last of
the Tudor Dynasty to rule England.
Stuart Dynasty
First of the Stuart Dynasty to rule England
Supporter of Divine Right and wanted more power for the King
Began to pass taxes without Parliament’s approval
Continued in his father’s footsteps and wanted more power for himself.
Often in conflict with Parliament, which eventually leads to the English Civil War
Was executed during the English Civil war
Commonwealth
Led the New Model Army during the English Civil War. His pro-Parliament army won
the war. He then placed himself as the ruler of England. Although his government
was supposed to be less despotic than that of the previous rulers (James and
Charles), he ruled as a dictator. He implemented policies to turn England into a
Puritan Republic. His army brutally attacked Catholics in both Ireland and Scotland
bringing each of the territories under tighter control. He disbanded Parliament in
1653 and named himself “Lord Protector”. He eventually became just as hated as
Charles I had been before him.
Son of Oliver Cromwell. He took over after his father’s death, but was not an
effective ruler. The people of England began to demand the restoration of the Stuart
monarchs.
Restoration of the Stuarts
Exiled son of Charles I. Although he didn’t admit in until his death, he was a Catholic.
Upon assuming the throne, Charles II became interested in returning to the policies
of his father and grandfather. The struggles between Parliament and the king began
again. Charles also implemented policies that seemed to favor the Catholics, which
upset the Protestant population.
Brother of Charles I. He assumed the throne after his brothers’ death. James II was
openly Catholic, which deepened the conflict between Parliament and the king. The
same issues that had caused the English Civil War continued. In 1688, James’ wife
gave birth to a son, who was to be the heir to the throne. Parliament became
alarmed by the possibility of another Catholic king. So, they decided to act against
James. They invited James’ Protestant daughter (Mary) and her husband (William)
to take the throne. James II, faced with the possibility of war, decided to abdicate
the throne and flee into exile with his infant son.
England
William and Mary
(William III Mary II)
1689-1702
Anne
1702-1714
George I
1714-1727
George II
1727-1760
George III
1760-1820
George IV
William IV
Victoria
1820-1830
1830-1837
1837-1901
Edward VII
1901-1910
George V
Edward VIII
George VI
Elizabeth II
1910-1936
1936-1936
1936-1952
1952Present
William and Mary took the throne of England in 1688 during the “Glorious
Revolution”. William and Mary were Protestant, which made them favorable to the
predominantly Protestant Parliament and population of England. As a stipulation to
their rule, William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. In doing so, they
agreed to honor the rights of Parliament and also agreed to accept limitations on
their power. William and Mary did not have an heir. Upon their death, the throne
passed to William’s sister-in-law, Anne.
Protestant daughter of James II. She was also the sister of Mary and sister-in-law of
William. She was the last of the Stuarts to rule England. England had started to be
known as Great Britain. The Act of Union (passed in 1707) had united England,
Scotland, and Wales into one state Despite 18 pregnancies, Anne did not have a
surviving heir. After her death, the throne passed to her distant cousin, George of
Hanover.
House of Hanover
Distant cousin of Anne (the previous queen) and the first of the Hanover family to
rule England. He was a Protestant from Hanover, a territory in Germany. He was not
the closest relative to Anne, but he was the closest Protestant relative. The Act of
Succession (passed by Parliament in 1701) had made it illegal for a Catholic to inherit
the throne of England. George I was not a popular king, largely because he preferred
his German home to England, a fact that was well-known among the people. He
never even learned English despite the fact that he was king of England.
Son of George I and second Hanover king to rule Great Britain. Unlike his father, he
did learn English, but spoke with a heavy accent.
King of England during the American Revolution. He was a popular ruler among the
English people largely due to his open personality. He was said to be a talker who
would stop and converse with people all the time. A sense of pride and nationalism
began to develop in England during his reign.
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
House of Windsor