Who is the shortest reigning British monarch? It’s an interesting question and one that prompts a lot of debate. There are many things to consider, not least whether we are considering British monarchs, English monarchs, or Scottish monarchs. Or all three. Just for fun, in this article, we will consider all three. Lady Jane Grey…
Ascending to the English throne in 1199, King John ruled until 1216, following his elder brother, Richard I. As the youngest son of Henry II, he manoeuvred his way to the crown by sidelining his nephew, Arthur. John’s reign was characterised by his reputation as a harsh, exploitative, and avaricious monarch. His failed military campaigns…
Henry II was the King of England from 1154 to 1189. He ascended the throne after Stephen I and established the formidable Plantagenet dynasty. His lengthy reign saw significant legal reforms, the expansion of English royal power, and an extensive augmentation of Angevin territories in France. However, Henry II was not without conflict. He faced…
Have you ever had the need to find out who the monarch of England was on a certain date? If so, look no further. Simply enter the date you want, and our little history geeks behind the scenes will give you the answer you need. Oh…if you are searching for your birthday, the answer will…
Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart, took to the English throne in 1189, stepping into the shoes of his elder brother, Henry the Young King. His reign spanned a decade, and was distinguished by his exceptional courage, the trait that earned him his illustrious nickname. The third son of Henry II, Richard’s reign…
Stephen of Bois served as King of England from 1135 to 1154. Following the death of his uncle, Henry I, he usurped the throne, defying the appointment of Henry’s chosen successor, his daughter Matilda. This contentious move triggered nearly two decades of civil war in England, a period known as ‘The Anarchy’. Stephen I’s turbulent…
Henry I reigned as King of England from 1100 to 1135. As the fourth son of William the Conqueror, he ascended to the throne following the death of his brother William II, who died during a hunting incident without leaving an heir. Henry I’s rule was characterised by adept administration and effective stabilisation of Norman…
William II, often referred to as William Rufus, was the third son of William the Conqueror. He succeeded to the English throne in 1087, after the death of his older brother Richard, and his reign lasted until 1100. His rule was characterised by fraught political rivalries, conflict with the Church, and ongoing hostilities with Scotland….
Prominently known as William the Conqueror, William I was the inaugural Norman king of England, whose reign extended from 1066 until his demise in 1087. This pivotal figure was the illegitimate offspring of Robert I, the Duke of Normandy, and secured the English crown through an audacious act of conquest, most notably evidenced by the…
Ludlow Castle is renowned for several reasons, not least for being the medieval seat of the Prince of Wales. Edward IV, Edward V, Prince Arthur Tudor and Mary I spent significant time here. Indeed, it was here that Prince Arthur met his untimely end, likely from the sweating sickness, shortly after marrying his young bride,…