TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • 3D/VR
    3D Virtual Reconstructions
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Etal Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle
    Knights Training
  • More
    Glossary of Terms
    Games Early Access
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • 3D/VR
    3D Virtual Reconstructions
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Etal Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle
    Knights Training
  • More
    Glossary of Terms
    Games Early Access
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
  1. Home
  2. Medieval People
  3. Kings and Queens of England
Rulers
Rulers
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.

Kings and Queens of England (866 .. 1603)

Early Middle Ages (866 - 1013)

(Later) Rulers of Mercia :  For earlier rulers of Mercia, see Rulers of Mercia

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
883Athelred II of Mercia-911At the time of Athelred of Mercia's reign, Alfred of Wessex was his over-lord, and was married to Alfred's daughter, Athelflaed (Lady of Mercians).
911

Athelflaed, Lady of Mercians-912Athelflaed was the daughter of Alfred the Great and married Athelred II of Mercia. After his death she ruled Mercia in her own right.
Later Rulers of Mercia
Name:
Athelred II of Mercia
Reign:
883 to 911
At the time of Athelred of Mercia's reign, Alfred of Wessex was his over-lord, and was married to Alfred's daughter, Athelflaed (Lady of Mercians).
Name:
Athelflaed, Lady of Mercians
912
Athelflaed was the daughter of Alfred the Great and married Athelred II of Mercia. After his death she ruled Mercia in her own right.

(Later) Kings of Wessex :  For earlier rulers of Wessex, see Rulers of Wessex

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
866

Aethelred I King of Wessex-871During the reign of Aethelred a large number of Danes know as the Great Army landed in Britain and took control of East Anglia.
871Alfred the GreatBrother899Alfred won a battle defeating the Danes at Edington.
899

Edward the ElderSon924The reign of Edward was dominated by a disputed succession and dealings with the Danes.
Kings of Wessex
Name:
Aethelred I King of Wessex
Reign:
866 to 871
During the reign of Aethelred a large number of Danes know as the Great Army landed in Britain and took control of East Anglia.
Name:
Alfred the Great
Reign:
871 to 899
Alfred won a battle defeating the Danes at Edington.
Name:
Edward the Elder
Reign:
899 to 924
The reign of Edward was dominated by a disputed succession and dealings with the Danes.

Saxon and Danish Kings

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
924

AthelstanSon939Athelstan is considered to be the first King of England.
939 OctoberEdmund IBrother946 May 26Northumbria, the Midlands and Strathclyde were reconqued by Edmund before his murder by the exiled thief Leofa.
946 MayEadredBrother955 November 23Eadred is noted for taking back Northumbria after it was overrun by Vikings led by Eric Bloodaxe. Eadred died young from a digestive illness.
955 NovemberEadwigNephew959Control of England was split between Eadwig who ruled south of the Thames and his younger brother Edgar who ruled in the north. Archbishop Dunstan was exiled.
959 October

Edgar IBrother975Edgar united the kingdom when he became King of England. He invited Archbishop Dunstan back from exile.
975 July

Edward 'The Martyr'Son978Edward was Edgar's eldest son but not the chosen heir. This led to civil war and Edward's murder only three years into his reign.
978 MarchAethelred II 'The Unready'Step-brother1013Viking invasions increaed in number during Aethelred's reign and the King agreed to pay money to prevent more. Aethelred had many Danes murdered in England on St. Brice's Day.
Saxon and Danish Kings
Name:
Athelstan
Reign:
924 to 939
Athelstan is considered to be the first King of England.
Name:
Edmund I
Reign:
939 Oct to 946 May 26
Northumbria, the Midlands and Strathclyde were reconqued by Edmund before his murder by the exiled thief Leofa.
Name:
Eadred
Reign:
946 May to 955 November 23
Eadred is noted for taking back Northumbria after it was overrun by Vikings led by Eric Bloodaxe. Eadred died young from a digestive illness.
Name:
Eadwig
Reign:
955 Nov to 959
Control of England was split between Eadwig who ruled south of the Thames and his younger brother Edgar who ruled in the north. Archbishop Dunstan was exiled.
Name:
Edgar I
Reign:
959 Oct to 975
Edgar united the kingdom when he became King of England. He invited Archbishop Dunstan back from exile.
Name:
Edward 'The Martyr'
Reign:
975 Jul to 978
Edward was Edgar's eldest son but not the chosen heir. This led to civil war and Edward's murder only three years into his reign.
Name:
Aethelred II 'The Unready'
Reign:
978 Mar to 1013
Viking invasions increaed in number during Aethelred's reign and the King agreed to pay money to prevent more. Aethelred had many Danes murdered in England on St. Brice's Day.
Name:
Swein (Sweyn) 'Fork-Beard'
Reign:
1013 Dec to 1014
In revenge for the St. Brice's Day massacre Sweyn invaded England and took the thone.
Name:
Aethelred II 'The Unready'
Reign:
1014 Mar to 1016
Aethelred was restored to the English throne after the death of Swein.
Name:
Edmund II 'Ironside'
Reign:
1016 Apr to 1016 Nov
Famed for his fighting skills Edmund defended the country against Cnut's invasion. It was agreed to divide the country in two.
Name:
Cnut (Canute)
Reign:
1016 Nov to 1035
Cnut from Denmark invaded England and shared its rule with Edmund Ironside. When Edmund died Cnut became King of the whole of England.
Name:
Harold I 'Harefoot'
Reign:
1035 to 1040
Harold ruled mainly as regent as his elder brother Hathacnut was occupied in Denmark. Harold gained support from the earls and was crowned in 1037.
Name:
Harthacnut
Reign:
1040 Jun to 1042
Both King of Denmark and King of England. Disputed succession with his brother Magnus prevented Harthacnut claiming the English throne until 1040.
Name:
Edward 'The Confessor'
Reign:
1042 Jun to 1066
As half-brother of Harthacnut, Edward had a better claim to the English throne than other members of the family and was chosen by the English to become King.
Name:
Harold II 'Godwinson'
Reign:
1066 January 23 to 1066 Oct
Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England and was killed by William, Duke of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings.
The Motte and Bailey Castle

The Norman Conquerors built their castles where they could keep control of the local populations or at important locations such as river crossings or on key roads. The advantage of this type of castle was that it was quick to construct. Making a fortification from wood was much easier than making one of stone.

Rapid construction allowed the Normans to keep control of the local populations.

High Middle Ages (1013 - 1307)

Saxon and Danish Kings

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1013 DecemberSweyn (Swein) 'Fork-Beard'-1014In revenge for the St. Brice's Day massacre Sweyn invaded England and took the thone.
1014 MarchAethelred 'The Unready'-1016Aethelred was restored to the English throne after the death of Sweyn.
1016 April

Edmund II 'Ironside'(Son of Aethelred II)Famed for his fighting skills Edmund defended the country against Cnut's invasion. It was agreed to divide the country in two.
1016 November

Cnut (Canute)(Son of Swein)1035Cnut from Denmark invaded England and shared its rule with Edmund Ironside. When Edmund died Cnut became King of the whole of England.
1035

Harold I 'Harefoot'Son1040Harold ruled mainly as regent as his elder brother Hathacnut was occupied in Denmark. Harold gained support from the earls and was crowned in 1037.
1040 June

HarthacnutStep-brother1042Both King of Denmark and King of England. Disputed succession with his brother Magnus prevented Harthacnut claiming the English throne until 1040.
1042 June

Edward 'The Confessor'(Son of Aethelred II)1066As half-brother of Harthacnut, Edward had a better claim to the English throne than other members of the family and was chosen by the English to become King.
1066 January 23Harold II 'Godwinson'-Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England and was killed by William, Duke of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings.

The Norman Kings

William I also known as William the Conqueror became King of England by conquest. He married Matlida of Flanders. Robert, their eldest son inherited the dukedom of Normandy from his father. Richard, their second son died, and their third became King of England known as William Rufus. When he was killed during a hunting trip the crown went to Henry the fourth son. Henry secured his claim by capturing his elder brother, Robert, and marrying Matilda of Scotland who was descended from Alfred the Great. When Henry died his nephew Stephen, the grandson of William the Conqueror, siezed the throne. Stephen married Matilda of Boulogne who was again descended from the old English Kings. The daughter of King Henry, Empress Matilda, claimed the English throne and after several years of conflict it was agreed that her son Henry would become king when Stephen died.

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1066 December 25William I 'The Conqueror'-10871066 saw several invasions of England ending with the invasion by William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England.
1087 September 26

William II 'Rufus'Son1100
1100 August 5Henry IBrother1135
1135 December 22Stephen of BloisNephew1154
1141 Apr

(Matilda)Cousin1141 NovMatilda was not crowned
The Norman Kings
Name:
William I 'The Conqueror'
Reign:
1066 December 25 to 1087
1066 saw several invasions of England ending with the invasion by William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England.
Name:
William II 'Rufus'
Reign:
1087 September 26 to 1100
 
Name:
Henry I
Reign:
1100 August 5 to 1135
 
Name:
Stephen of Blois
Reign:
1135 December 22 to 1154
 
Name:
Matilda
Reign:
1141 Apr to 1141 Nov
Matilda was not crowned

The Angevin (Plantagenet) Kings

Henry II, the grandson of William the Conqueror, became king of England. He married Eleanor of Aquitaine, the divorced wife of King Louis of France. The English throne went to their two sons, first to Richard the Lionheart who married Berengaria of Navarre but died without a legitimate heir, and then to John who married firstly Isabella of Gloucester and secondly Isabella of Angouleme. When John died his son Henry became King of England as Henry III. Henry married Eleanor of Provance and their son was proclaimed King as Edward I. Edward married Eleanor of Castile. It was their fourth son, Edward II, who next succeeded to the throne.

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1154 December 19Henry II(Son of Matilda)1189
1189 September 3Richard I 'The Lionheart'Son1199
1199 May 27JohnBrother1216
1216 October 28Henry IIISon1272
1272 November 20Edward ISon1307
The Angevin (Plantagenet) Kings
Name:
Henry II
Reign:
1154 December 19 to 1189
Name:
Richard I 'The Lionheart'
Reign:
1189 September 3 to 1199
Name:
John
Reign:
1199 May 27 to 1216
Name:
Henry III
Reign:
1216 October 28 to 1272
Name:
Edward I
Reign:
1272 November 20 to 1307

Late Middle Ages (1307 - 1485)

Edward II married Isabella of France who deposed him and put their son Edward III on the throne. Edward married Philippa of Hainault and it was their grandson, Richard II, the son of the Black Prince, who next became King. Richard had two wives, Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois before he was deposed and murdered.

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1307 July 8Edward IISon1327
1327 January 25Edward IIISon1377
1377 June 23Richard IIGrandson1399
The Angevin (Plantagenet) Kings
Name:
Edward II
Reign:
1307 July 8 to 1327
Name:
Edward II
Reign:
1327 January 25 to 1377
Name:
Richard II
Reign:
1377 June 23 to 1399

The Lancastrian and Yorkist Kings

Henry IV was the first king in the House of Lancaster. He was the grandson of Edward III and Queen Philippa. Henry seized the English throne from Richard II. Henry married twice, first to Mary Bohun and second to Joanna of Navarre. When Henry died, the son of his first wife also called Henry became king as Henry V. Henry V tried to marry the widow of Richard II but in the end married her sister Catherine of France. When Henry V died Catherine claimed the thone for her son Henry VI. The reign of Henry VI and his wife Margaret of Anjou was unstable and when their son died at the Battle of Tewkesbury the House of Lancaster Ended.

The House of York began with Edward IV who was descended twice from Edward III. Firstly from Edmund of York, the fifth son of Edward III, and secondly Lionel, Edward's third son. Edward married Elizabeth Woodville and their sons mysteriously disappered from the Tower of London. The prime suspect for their deaths was Edward's brother Richard who became king as Richard III who married Anne Neville. After a short reign Richard was killed in battle and was succeeded by another of Edward III's descendents. This ended the House of York.

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1399 September 30Henry IVCousin1413
1413 March 13Henry VSon1422
1422 September 1Henry VISon1461
1461 March 4Edward IV-1470
1470 October 3Henry VI-1471(Henry VI restored) 
1471 April 11Edward IV-1483(Edward IV restored) 
1483 (Apr 9)Edward VSon of (Edward IV)A Prince in the Tower
1483 June 26Richard IIIUncle1485
Lancastrian & Yorkist Kings
Name:
Henry IV
Reign:
1399 September 30 to 1413
Name:
Henry V
Reign:
1413 March 13 to 1422
Name:
Henry VI
Reign:
1422 September 1 to 1461
Name:
Edward IV
Reign:
1461 March 4 to 1470
Name:
Henry VI
Reign:
1470 October 3 to 1471
(Henry VI restored)
Name:
Edward IV
Reign:
1471 April 11 to 1483
(Edward IV restored)
Name:
Edward V
Reign:
1483 (Apr 9) to 1483
A Prince in the Tower
Name:
Richard III
Reign:
1483 June 26 to 1485

Early Modern Period (1485 - )

The Tudor Kings and Queens

Henry VII, descended from John of Gaunt, the fourth son of Edward III was the first king of the House of Tudor. The name coming from his grandfather Owen Tudor who married Catherine of Valois. He cemented his claim to the English throne by marrying Elizabeth of York, the elder sister of the princes who disappeared from the Tower of London. Their son, Henry VIII then became king, to be followed be Edward VI, the son of Jane Seymour, Mary, the daughter of Catherine of Aragon, and Elizabeth, the child of Anne Boleyn. Lady Jane Grey reigned for just nine days between Edward and Mary.

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1485 August 22Henry VII-1509
1509 April 22Henry VIIISon1547
1547 January 22Edward VISon1553
1553 July 10Lady Jane GreyFirst cousin once removed1553 July 19The 'Nine-Day Queen'. Jane was nominated by Edward VI to be queen but she was never crowned.
1553 July 19Mary I, 'Bloody Mary'(Sister of Edward VI)1558 November 17
1558 November 17Elizabeth ISister1603 March 24
The Tudor Kings and Queens
Name:
Henry VII
Reign:
1485 August 22 to 1509
 
Name:
Henry VIII
Reign:
1509 April 22 to 1547
 
Name:
Edward VI
Reign:
1509 April 22 to 1547
 
Name:
Lady Jane Grey
Reign:
1553 July 10 - July 19
The 'Nine-Day Queen'. Jane was nominated by Edward VI to be queen but she was never crowned.
Name:
Mary I, 'Bloody Mary'
Reign:
1553 July 10 to 1558 November 17/a>
 
Name:
Elizabeth I
Reign:
1558 November 17 to 1603 March 24
 

The Stuart Kings and Queens

When Elizabeth I died, James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Stuart became James I of Great Britain. He was the great-grandson of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He married Anne of Denmark. Charles I, their son became king and married Henrietta Maria of France. After the execution of Charles came the Commonwealth when the country was run by Parliament. Charles II, the son of Charles I, returned from exile and became teh next king. He married Catherine of Breganza.

From
Date
Ruler Relationship to Predecessor To
Date
Comments
1603 March 24James I (James VI of Scotland)???1625 March 27
1625 March 27Charles ISon1649 January 30
To be completed...
The Stuart Kings and Queens
Name:
James I (James VI of Scotland)
Reign:
1603 March 24 to 1625 March 27
 
Name:
Charles I
Reign:
1625 March 27 to 1649 January 30
 
To be completed...
 
3D/VR

Virtual Buildings

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

Medieval People

  • Kings and Queens of England
  • Medieval Coronations
  • Rulers of Scotland
  • Kings of France
  • Rulers of Denmark
  • Rulers of Europe
  • Rulers of Portugal
  • Popes and Antipopes
  • Byzantine Emperors
  • The Crusader States

^ Back to top

          x-small

          small

          medium

          large

          x-large

          x-x-large

          This popup will contain more information
          This popup will contain more information
          xyz
          xyz