Monarchs
Profiles, stories and little-known facts about some of England’s famous kings and queens
Read about the exploits of England’s famous monarchs who have been pivotal in the history of the historic royal palaces.
Monarchs at the palaces
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(r 1066-87) The 'Conqueror' - famous for invading England and all that.
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(r 1216-72) He became king when he was only 9 years old.
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(r 1272-1307) Famous for his epitaph and conquering the Welsh.
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(r 1327-77) Famous for claiming the French throne in 1337 and having lots of children
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(r 1377-99) Famous for his deposition and facing down the Peasants' Revolt.
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(r 1422-1461, 1470-71) He possibly suffering from catatonic schizophrenia.
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(r 1483-5) He inspired Shakespeare's ultimate villain and is an historian's favourite.
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Do you know what Henry VIII is famous for, aside from his wives? Find out about how he broke with the Roman Catholic Church & about his extravagant lifestyle.
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(r 1553-8) ‘Bloody Mary’, the Roman Catholic who burnt Protestants.
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(r 1558-1603) Famous for being a royal virgin, Elizabeth I never married.
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(r 1603-25) A terrorist target in the Gunpowder Plot
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(r 1625-49) The only English monarch ever to be executed.
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(1649-60) He led the Parliamentarian side to victory in the Civil War.
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(r 1630-85) He made wig-wearing fashionable in London.
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The only monarchs in British history to have reigned jointly
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(r 1702-14) She was Great Britain's first sovereign following the Act of Union in 1707.
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(r 1714-27) England's first Hanoverian monarch
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(r 1727-60) He remodelled both Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace.
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(r 1760-1820) Famous for losing the American colonies and going ‘mad’
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Queen for more than sixty years, Victoria’s reign was the longest in British history. Find out more about her childhood & how she became Queen of England.
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(r 1952- ) The great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria
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