William I
Reigned 1066-87
Based on the engraving by G. Vertue in the British Museum
William, Duke of Normandy was the fitting hero of a brutal time.
With an eye that could quell the fiercest baron and a fist that could fell
an ox, he ruthlessly subdued his rebellious duchy, trumped up a claim to
the English throne and in a few quick battles conquered a divided country.
His devastation of the north and his savage forest laws made him unpopular;
but he gave England an efficient government, made the great Doomsday Survey
of the land and controlled the barons. After losing his devoted wife, Matilda
of Flanders, William had few friends. He died at Rouen in 1087. |
William II
Reigned 1087-1100
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
William Rufus had a red face and a hot temper. For a while under the
constricting influence of Archbishop Lanfranc, he continued his father's
sound government, but after the Archbishop's death he gave way to extravagance
and cruelty. Except when sick, he refused to heed Saint Anselm's sound
advice and filled England with unworthy favourites who oppressed the people.
Rufus had physical courage but few other admirable qualities. Hunting was
his passion, and he was killed in the New Forest by a stray arrow. Walter
Tyrrell, one of his hunting party was blamed for the deed, probably unjustly. |
Henry I
Reigned 1100-1135
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Henry Beauclerc was the best educated of the conqueror's sons. Like
all his race, he loved outdoor sports, but he could read his own letters,
and when he founded a zoo at Woodstock, it was to study animals. Henry
gave England good laws "So that no man durst hurt another". He inflicted
ferocious punishments but was called "Lion of Justice". He preferred craft
to warfare and managed to keep his realms intact. Henry's marriage to Matilda,
who was descended from the English Kings, was very popular. He doted on
his son, and when Prince William was drowned in the White Ship, his father
never smiled again. |
Stephen
Reigned 1135-54
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
This so called reign of Stephen was one of the most miserable in
English history. While he was fighting his cousin Matilda, for the crown,
the Norman barons "forced the folk to build them castles, and filled them
with devils and evil men". They extorted money "with pains unspeakable"
and looted town and country. "Well mightest thou walk a whole day's faring
nor ever find a man inhabiting a township or tilled lands". Yet Stephen
himself was the pattern of chivalry: brave, kindly, courteous. He was however
too good natured, easily fooled and incapable of planning operations on
a large scale. |
Henry II
Reigned 1154-89
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Henry of Anjou, an exceptionally able King, found England devastated
by civil war, and left it prosperous and law abiding. A brilliant soldier,
he extended his French dominions until he ruled most of France. He found
his match in Thomas Beckett who challenged the Royal control of the church.
"Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" cried the exasperated king.
Four knights murdered the Archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral, and although
Henry did public penance, his prestige waned. Old foes attacked him, his
sons rebelled, when he found even his favourite, John, was against him
he died broken hearted. |
Richard I
Reigned 1189-99
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Fighting was the breath of life to Richard Lionheart, and the third
crusade appealed to his romantic piety. In the Holy Land he performed miracles
of valour, but failed to capture Jerusalem. His personal magnificence,
and the gorgeous pageantry of his quest caught the imagination of Europe.
When a treacherous ally threw him in prison, the ransom money came from
England and France. Fond of wine, women and song, Richard cared little
for state craft and would sell any office to raise money for his interminable
exploits on the continent. He died from an arrow wound far from the Kingdom
which he so seldom visited. |
John
Reigned 1199-1216
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
John Lackland was the youngest son of Henry II. Short and fat, he
envied his splendid brother Richard I, whom he succeeded. When he became
King he divorced his wife and married Isabella of Angoulême, a girl
of about thirteen. John soon relapsed into sloth and self indulgence. Plundering
the rich, oppressing the poor, he roused all men against him. The Pope
excommunicated him, the barons forced him to accept Magna Carta. He died
from over-eating, a fugitive from his enemies. Though clever John was cruel
and completely selfish, he was termed "the worst English King". |
Henry III
Reigned 1216-72
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Henry III succeeded his father John at the age of nine. Brought
up by priests he became devoted to church art and learning. Henry proved
a weak ruler, dominated by churchmen and by his wife's French relations.
Large sums were spent on expeditions to France and on church building (notably
at Westminster). Constant demands for money provoked the barons to rebel
and led by Simon de Montfort, they gained control. Prince Edward rallied
the royalists and reinstated his father. Henry was personally an agreeable
fellow, fond of good company, music and poetry. He had all the private
virtues but lacked statesmanship. |
Edward I
Reigned 1271-1307
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Edward Longshanks called "The English Justinian" for his legal reforms,
was also a great warrior. Aiming at a united Britain, he defeated the Welsh
chieftains and created his eldest son "Prince of Wales". He was known as
the "Hammer of the Scots" for his victories in Scotland, and brought from
Scone to Westminster the famous "Coronation Stone". He died on the way
to fight Robert Bruce. Edward was an athlete and loved tournaments. He
married twice; when his first wife died, he escorted her remains from Grantham
to Westminster, setting up at every halting place "Eleanor Crosses", some
of which stand today. |
Edward II
Reigned 1307-27
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Edward II, who cared nothing for battles or tournaments, politics or
business, spent his youth idling with Piers Gaveston; pitch and toss was
his favorite game. He allowed many abuses to creep back into government
and made a ludicrous show at Bannockburn, where the English army was routed
by the Scots. Amiable but weak- willed, Edward always relied on favourites.
After Gaveston had been hanged, he clung to the Despencers. He offended
his wife, who joined her lover, Mortimer in deposing him; by their order
Edward was murdered in Berkeley Castle. His beautiful tomb in Gloucester
Cathedral was erected by his son, Edward III. |
Edward III
Reigned 1327-77
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
Edward III was a grand fighter and a capable administrator. His
ambition to conquer Scotland and France plunged England into the fruitless
"Hundred Years War". A series of sensational victories at Crècy,
Calais and Poitiers made Edward, and his son the Black Prince, the most
renowned warrior in Europe. But neither French loot, nor the ransoms of
Scottish and French kings, nor a skilful commercial policy could pay for
their continual campaigning. As Edward grew older, his vices and extravagance
made him disliked. A population halved by the Black Death groaned under
heavy taxes, and Edward's reign closed in gloom and distress. |
Richard II
Reigned 1377-99
Based upon the contemporary painting in Westminster Abbey
At the age of fourteen, the son of the Black Prince showed his courage
in facing an angry crowd at Mile End. He took charge of the government
at twenty two and made a genuine effort to preserve peace. Tournaments
and pageants made England a merry place for the wealthy, but there was
want and pestilence among the poor. Queen Anne's sudden death completely
unbalanced Richard. His extravagance passed all bounds; acts of revenge
and tyranny turned his subjects against him. When Henry Bolingbroke returned
from exile thousands joined him and Richard was deposed, dying mysteriously
in Pontefract Castle soon after- wards. |
Henry IV
Reigned 1399-1413
From the painting in the National Portrait Gallery
A farsighted young man, Henry Bolingbroke spent his youth making
himself popular in England and abroad. At the right moment he deposed his
unlucky cousin Richard II, and made himself King. The new monarch quickly
learned how "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown". His brief reign
was largely taken up with maintaining his position against frequent rebellions.
As a youth Bolingbroke was attractive; physically imposing, though his
health was poor; rather reserved, but courteous; on occasion very witty;
virtuous at a time of much depravity. In later life he suffered from disease
and died at the age of forty five. |
Henry V
Reigned 1413-22
From the painting in the National Portrait Gallery
Henry's youth was merry, but on succeeding his father he devoted
his whole attention to government. He conciliated the clergy by repressing
heresy, gave parliament more power in return for money, and pleased the
nobles by invading France, "in pursuit of honour". Inspired by the King's
leadership, the "little band of brothers" defeated a huge French army at
Agincourt. On a second expedition Henry captured Rouen, was recognized
as the next king of France and married Princess Katherine. Two years later
he was dead. By his contemporaries, Henry was regarded as an ideal king,
brave, cheerful, considerate and modest. |
Henry VI
Reigned 1422-61
From the painting in the National Portrait Gallery
Fate cast this son of the warrior Henry V into a sea of troubles.
The war party in England was strong and the impossible attempt to hold
his father's conquests in France continued. The House of York challenged
Henry VI's right to the throne, and England was plunged into civil war.
Frequently a fugitive, sometimes a prisoner, at best a puppet of Warwick
"the king maker", the half crazy King, consoled by religious exercises,
patiently submitted to the grossest indignities, culminating in his murder
in the Tower. Eton and King's College, Cambridge still revere their founder's
"holy shade". |
Edward IV
Reigned 1461-83
From a painting belonging to the Society of Antiquaries
Highly gifted, and trained in Machiavellian state craft by Warwick
who made him King. Edward, Duke of York was unscrupulous in achieving his
ambitions. Warwick soon discovered that he was no puppet, and was eventually
killed fighting against his pupil. Edward's rebellious brother, Clarence,
was judicially murdered, a crime which haunted the King throughout life.
When firmly established Edward proved a capable despot, though lazy. He
was over-reached in diplomacy by the wily Louis XI of France. A tall handsome
man, he lived luxuriously, and patronized the New Learning (notably Caxton,
the first English printer). |
Edward V
Reigned April to August 1483
Based on the engraving by G Vertue in the British Museum
This tragic little Prince, son of Edward IV, was carefully trained as
the future King, but his father died before he was fourteen, and the boy
king was at the mercy of his unscrupulous uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Edward and his brother were thrown into the Tower, and were never seen
outside its walls again.Two centuries later, the bones of the two children
were discovered under the stairs of the White Tower and were properly buried
in Westminster Abbey. In 1933 an inspection showed that they were remains
of boys of the right age and bore signs of strangulation. |
Richard III
Reigned 1483-85
From the painting in the National Portrait Gallery
So great were the losses in the Wars of the Roses that when Edward
IV died, only two little princes stood between Richard Crouchback and the
crown. Though small, ill featured and deformed he was an excellent soldier
and a capable administrator. England would have been well content with
his Regency, but insane ambition drove him forward. He executed his opponents,
had his nephews murdered and proposed to marry their sister, his own niece.
Richard paid the penalty for his crimes in continual agony of mind. He
died at Bosworth Field, fighting with desperate courage, his redeeming
quality. |
Henry VII
Reigned 1485-1509
From the painting by an unknown Flemish artist in the National Portrait
Gallery
When Richard III fell at Bosworth Field, his crown was picked up
and placed on the head of Henry Tudor. The new King was the son of a Lancastrian
heiress and married Elizabeth of York, thus uniting the two "Roses". Henry
devoted his reign to curbing the power of the nobles, aiding commerce and
amassing wealth. He encouraged the Cabots to explore North America, and
built his magnificent chapel at Westminster. His brilliant court was thronged,
but he had few friends. He died at fifty two, leaving to his son, Henry
VIII, a full treasury and a land of peace. |
Henry VIII
Reigned 1509-47
From the painting in the National Portrait
Gallery based on a portrait by Hans Holbein
The second son of Henry VII was not wholly the tyrannical monster
of popular legend, but he executed two and divorced two more of his six
wives. His passion for Anne Boleyn was one reason for his divorce from
Catherine of Aragon and the immediate cause of the severance from Rome,
which is the outstanding event of his reign. His other marriages came from
the need to secure a succession. Cruel and capricious, with an intellect
above the average, and possessing the sense of greatness, he made himself
a dominant figure in Europe, and inspired equally fear and devotion in
his subjects. |
Edward VI
Reigned 1547-53
From a painting after Hans Holbein in the National Portrait Gallery
The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward succeeded his father
at the age of nine, the government being carried on by a Council of Regency
of which the head was his uncle the Duke of Somerset, styled Protector.
Precocious in learning, he was lacking in affection or sympathy, and when
Somerset was attacked readily consented his execution. He was ardent in
the protestant religion, and was strongly influenced by Latimer and Ridley.
Sickly throughout his life, he died of consumption, devising the crown
to his protestant cousin Jane Grey, to the exclusion of his sisters. |
Mary I
Reigned 1553-58
From the painting by Hans Eworth belonging to the Society of Antiquaries
Daughter of Henry VIII and the Spaniard, Catherine of Aragon. A fervent
Catholic, suffering deeply in youth as her mother's daughter, she succeeded
her brother determined to restore England to Rome. With this objective
she married Philip of Spain, appointed Cardinal Pole to Canterbury, and
adopted the policy of persecution that has covered her name with odium.
Dignified, fond of splendour, loving music, charitable and by nature humane,
ill health and bigotry combined to sour her. Devoting herself to a task
beyond her powers, she lived and died a frustrated and unhappy woman. |
Elizabeth I
Reigned 1558-1603
From the "Ditchley" painting in the National Portrait Gallery
Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Her long
reign saw the flowering of the English Renaissance, the beginning of imperial
expansion and the rise of England to the position of a first class power.
A consummate statesman, she embodied the spirit of command and possessed
in the highest degree the gift of compromise; though more protestant than
catholic, she probably had no real convictions beyond that of the greatness
of England and her own majesty. She was subtle, unscrupulous, parsimonious
and supremely successful, and inspired an almost mystic devotion among
her servants and subjects. |
James I
Reigned as James VI in Scotland from 1567; in England 1603-25
From the painting by Daniel Mytens in the National Portrait Gallery
The son of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley, James was a man
of deep, if narrow learning. Pious and tolerant, he was yet an unsuccessful
ruler; his desire for peace and religious freedom was remote from the mood
of Europe and helped to make him very unpopular at home. He attempted alliance
with Spain, England's traditional enemy, angered the people and parliament
was alienated by his delegation of authority to irresponsible favourites,
especially the magnificent and hated Duke of Buckingham. James married
Anne of Denmark. |
Charles I
Reigned 1625-49
From the painting after Vandyke in the National Portrait Gallery
Charles was the son of James I and Anne of Denmark. It is not always
remembered that he was the most enlightened patron of the Arts that has
occupied the English throne, and one of the foremost connoisseurs in Europe.
Inheriting a belief in the divinity of Kingship, he tried to carry out
theories of government unacceptable in that age. His father's weakness,
his unshakeable beliefs and the angry temper of parliament led to civil
war, to his final defeat, to revolution and to the execution which shocked
the civilized world and which more than anything in his life made his name
endure. |
Charles II
Reigned 1660-85
From the painting by J M Wright; National Portrait Gallery
Son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France. His adolescence
and early man- hood were spent in civil war defeat, exile and poverty.
Jubilantly restored in 1660 to his throne, he returned cynical and mistrustful.
Though lazy he was skilled in foreign affairs and seeing Holland as England's
chief rival, made a secret alliance with France. With a strong taste for
science and architecture he combined per- ception and wit above the ordinary,
but was fatally unwilling to face unpleasant issues, finding intrigue easier.
The "Merry Monarch" thought to escape uncon- genial burdens through his
private amusement, but was disillusioned. |
James II
Reigned 1685-88
From the painting by J Riley in the National Portrait Gallery
Brother of Charles II, his upbringing, like that of Charles, was
haphazard but his personal character was in most ways stronger. As Duke
of York he was energetic in public affairs, capable and courageous in naval
administration and command, and loyal to his brother. But his conversion
to Roman Catholicism was unpopular in 17th Century England. His efforts
to emancipate the catholics and restore England to Rome ended in revolution
and the flight of himself and his family. James married i) Anne Hyde ii)
Mary of Modena. He died in exile in 1701. |
William III
Reigned 1688-1702
From the painting from the studio of W.
Wissing in the National Portrait Gallery
William of Orange, a grandson of Charles I, married Mary, a daughter
of James II. When James was deposed, William and Mary were invited to become
joint sovereigns of England. William's ambition was to save the Netherlands
from France and he welcomed the chance to bring England into the European
coalition against Louis XIV. A shy and retiring man he made few English
friends, though his statesmanship won respect; on the battlefield he displayed
courage and genius. He died on the eve of war with France, and it was left
to Marlborough to complete William's task. |
Mary II
Reigned 1688-94
From the painting in the National Portrait
Gallery based on a portrait by W. Wissing
James II's eldest daughter was brought up as a Protestant, and at
fifteen married William of Orange. Mary's early life in Holland was lonely, but
she became devoted to her husband. When her father's Catholicism led to
his deposition Mary and her husband consented to succeed him. She proved
a capable partner, presiding over the Council during William's absences.
Mary's sweet nature was shocked by the coarseness of the Stuart court.
She had all the Stuart intelligence, loved learning, and endowed William
and Mary College, Virginia. Her early death was a severe blow to William
- and to England. |
Anne
Reigned 1702-14
From the painting by M. Dahl in the National Portrait Gallery.
Anne was the daughter of James II and Anne Hyde. Brought up as a
Protestant, she had early to choose between loyalty to her father and loyalty
to her faith. Deprived of domestic happiness, she found consolation in
her friendships, especially that with Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. Her
strong Anglican and Tory views hardened into hostility to the rapidly growing
party system. Though active in affairs of state, she found her real enjoyment
in hunting and racing. England under Anne was great, but the Queen herself
was eclipsed by the brilliance of her epoch. |
George I
Reigned 1714-27
From the painting from the studio of Sir
G. Kneller; National Portrait Gallery.
Great grandson of James I (through his mother), George I succeeded
Anne as Protestant heir of the Stuart's, having followed his father as
ruler of Hanover in 1698. The failure of the Jacobite rising 1715 gave
him a better introduction to England than could otherwise have been hoped
for, though he remained a stranger here, and never learned the language
of his new subjects. His reign was occupied by the establishment
of a new and more limited monarchy, Whig ascendancy and
cabinet government. His wife, Sophia Dorothea of Celle, died in
1726. |
George II
Reigned 1727-60
From the painting from the studio of T.
Hudson; National Portrait Gallery.
Brought up in Hanover, George II was thirty one when his father
ascended the English throne. During the lifetime of his Queen he was wholly
swayed by her in affairs of state, especially in her foreign policy of
peace; but his own inclinations were for war and after Catherine's death
he embarked on campaigns against the French, and won great victories in
Europe, India and America. As with his father, Hanover was first in his
mind and he remained a foreigner in England. Brilliantly served by Walpole
and Pitt, he was ungrateful to them as he was ungracious to everyone else. |
George III
Reigned 1760-1820
From the painting from the studio of Alllan Ramsay; National Portrait
Gallery.
Grandson of George II, he was the first English born and English
speaking monarch since Anne. His views of Kingship conflicted with the
constitution, and for over twenty years he ruled largely by himself and
through his friends, a policy which led to the American War and the loss
of the colonies. Though finally submitting to his ministers, he remained
an extreme Tory. Homely, domesticated and devout, he was popular with the
middle classes and in his mental powers, while they lasted, he was superior
to his two predecessors. For the last ten years of his reign he was blind
and mad. |
George IV
Reigned 1820-30
From the painting after Sir T. Laurence at the H.M. Office of Works
George IV, the son of George III, acted as Regent from 1811-20.
A harsh upbringing resulted in dissoluteness and extravagance which lasted
all his life. He married in 1785 Mrs. Fitzherbert (whom he was compelled
to repudiate) and in 1795 Caroline of Brunswick. Actuated largely
by opposition to his father, he was a hindrance rather than a help in pubic
affairs, and was dangerously unpopular,
derided by the press and embarrassing to his ministers. But he was
brilliantly gifted, cultivated, gracious, a noble patron of art and letters,
and in person was the most distinguished monarch since Charles I. |
William IV
Reigned 1830-37
From the painting by Sir M. A. Shee in the National Portrait Gallery
For ten years the young Prince William, brother
of George IV served
in the Navy afloat. In 1789 he was created Duke of Clarence and for the
next forty years he lived the retired life of a country gentleman. In
1818
he married the Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen. The deaths of his
elder
brothers brought him, at sixty five, to the throne. As King he became
popular, for he was known to favour reform, and though he was nick-named
"Silly-Billy", he was very far from stupid. |
Victoria
Reigned 1837-1901
From a photograph by W. and D. Downey
A niece of William IV, the Princess Victoria ascended the throne
at eighteen, and was married three years later to Albert of Saxe-Coburg.
From then till his death in 1861 she remained largely dependent on him
for advice in affairs of state, devoting herself to the cares of domesticity.
With widowhood she retired from the public eye for twenty years; but the
growth of Imperial sentiment in her last years, bringing devotion and veneration,
restored her own spirits and the prestige of the crown. She achieved greatness
through her devotion to duty, vast experience and incomparable dignity. |
Edward VII
Reigned 1901-10
From a photograph by W. and D. Downey
During sixty years' apprenticeship as heir, the son of Queen Victoria
was entrusted with no office of responsibility. His instinct for friendship
and sociability brought popularity and, from the austere, criticism. Supremely
a man of the world, he reached the climax of acclamation by winning the
Derby for the third time in 1909. His desire for peace was deep and, during
his life, effective. He made himself familiar with political developments
at home and abroad by entertaining the leaders of all parties, and by repeatedly
traveling about Europe. |
George V
Reigned 1910-38
From a photograph by Vandyk
In 1935 George V celebrated the seventieth anniversary of his birthday
and the Silver Jubilee of his reign. The second son of Edward VII, he became
heir to the throne on the death of his brother in 1892, and on May 6th,
1910, succeeded his father as King. During the Great War and the difficult
post war years, his bearing in public and industry in private maintained
the prestige of the monarchy, and enhanced its popularity. His serious
illness in 1928-9 evoked world wide sympathy, and added a new fervour to
the prayer "Long may he reign". |
