

This marked the end of the monarchy, and for the next 11 years, England was ruled by Oliver Cromwell as a republic. The war went on for four years until Charles I was defeated and beheaded in 1649. In 1642, war broke out between the king's forces and those of Parliament. His reign was relatively peaceful, but things took a turn for the worse when his son, Charles I, came to power.Ĭharles I's rule was marked by religious conflict and civil war. The Stuart period began in 1603 with the ascension of James VI of Scotland to the English throne, becoming James I of England. She reigned for 45 years, during which time she oversaw the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the flourishing of English literature and theatre. Mary is remembered as Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants during her five-year reign.Įlizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is one of the most famous monarchs in English history. Edward VI's reign was short-lived, and upon his death in 1553, his half-sister Mary I became queen. Henry VIII is best known for his six wives, of whom only three produced surviving heirs - Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Henry's reign was relatively peaceful, but things took a turn for the worse when his son, Henry VIII, came to power. The Tudor period began in 1485 with the Battle of Bosworth Field, which saw the defeat of King Richard III and the ascension of Henry VII to the throne. The Tudor and Stuart periods were perhaps the most tumultuous in English history, marked by religious conflict, civil war, and regicide. The Tudor and Stuart Periods Henry VIII King of England- Image Credit Glynsimages2013 via Shutterstock This event changed the course of English history forever and ushered in a new era for the monarchy. One of the most significant was the Norman Conquest in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded England and deposed the ruling Saxon king, Harold II. Over the centuries, there have been many changes to the English monarchy. By the 11th century, the English monarchy had become one of the most powerful in all of Europe. Prior to this, England had been divided into many small kingdoms, each ruled by its own chieftain.Īlfred's victory brought about a period of unification, and his successors continued to build on this, slowly but surely bringing more land and people under their control. The first recorded instance of an English king was in the year 871 AD when King Alfred the Great successfully repelled a Viking invasion. The Origins of the English Monarchy Statue of King Alfred the Great - Image Credit SeraphP vis Shutterstock Let’s take a detailed look at the English monarchy, its origins, how it has changed over the years, and some of the more famous monarchs who have ruled England. From the early days of the Saxons and Normans to the Tudor and Stuart periods, right up to today's modern-day royals, the English monarchy has always been a fascinating subject. The English monarchy has a long and storied history, dating back centuries. Stay tuned! First, A Look Into The British Monarchy Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II- Image Credit Joseph Sohm via Shutterstock Let’s take a closer look at those reasons and find out what made monarchy riveting in England.

But as it turns out, there are some very good reasons why England doesn't have a king.

It's a question that has puzzled people for centuries: why doesn't England have a king? After all, it seems, historically speaking, like the natural order of things. Why Wasn’t There a King of England? Royal Golden Crown- Image credit: Maxx-Studio /
