British Emperor facts for kids
The term British Emperor has sometimes been used to describe certain powerful rulers of Great Britain, Ireland, or the United Kingdom. It can refer to kings who had great power over both government and church, or more often, to the British ruler of the Empire of India.
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Mythical British Kings
The legendary British ruler King Arthur is called ameraudur (which means "emperor") in old Welsh writings. A Welsh poem from the 10th or 11th century, Geraint, son of Erbin, mentions Arthur as "emperor." This is one of the earliest times he was given that title.
Britannic Empire
The Britannic Empire was a short-lived state that broke away from the Roman Empire in the late Roman period. It was formed when a naval commander named Carausius led a revolt. This empire ended in 296 when Carausius's successor, Allectus, was defeated by the Roman Emperor Constantius I.
Kings with Imperial Ambitions (930–1066)
Many Kings of England between 930 and 1066 showed a desire for "imperial" power. They sometimes used titles that sounded like "emperor." The most common title was basileus, but they also used imperator, princeps, augustus, and caesar now and then.
- Athelstan (c. 895–939) was a king who collected important religious items. He declared himself "imperator" in 930. He used titles like "king of the Anglo-Saxons and emperor of the Northumbrians." He also used the Anglo-Saxon title of Bretwalda, meaning "ruler of Britain."
- Edgar the Peaceful (c. 943–975) is said to have received loyalty from eight lesser kings. He issued royal documents calling himself Anglorum Basileus (King of the English) and totius Albionis Basileus (King of all Britain).
- Ethelred the Unready (c. 966–1016) was known for liking grand titles during his time as king.
- Canute the Great (994/995–1035) ruled England, Norway, and Denmark. He didn't have a formal imperial title, but his lands are often called the North Sea Empire.
- Edward the Confessor (c. 1003–1066) sometimes used imperial titles. However, after the Norman conquest in 1066, English kings mostly stopped calling themselves emperors.
Norman Era: Empress Maud (Matilda)
The title "Empress" for Empress Matilda was used to tell her apart from other princesses named Matilda or Maud. She was not Empress of Britain. She got her title from her earlier marriage to Henry V, who was the Holy Roman Emperor.
The "Imperium Maius" Idea
Even though some English monarchs thought about having "imperial" power, they never officially changed their title from "King/Queen" to "Emperor/Empress."
What is Imperium Maius?
In Christian Europe, using the title "emperor" meant more than just a fancy name. A king usually recognized that the church was equal to or even more powerful than him in religious matters. An emperor, however, did not. This idea became clear during Henry VIII's time. He started using the word imperium (meaning supreme power) during his disagreement with Pope Clement VII. This was about his wish to end his first marriage. The difference between kings and emperors began to fade when kings claimed to rule by divine right, meaning God had chosen them.
English Kings and Supreme Power
William the Conqueror, who became King of England, thought it was important to get the Pope's blessing for his conquest of England. Later, Richard I refused to show respect to Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor when he was held prisoner. Richard declared that he was "born of a rank which recognizes no superior but God."
After Henry I agreed to the Concordat of London in 1107, English kings accepted the Pope's authority in religious matters. For example, after Thomas Becket was killed, Henry II had to admit that while he ruled government matters, religious issues were under the Church's power in Rome.
This changed with the argument between Henry VIII and Pope Clement VII. Henry wanted to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The Act in Restraint of Appeals (1533) clearly stated:
Where by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles it is manifestly declared and expressed that this realm of England is an empire, and so hath been accepted in the world, governed by one supreme head and king, having the dignity and royal estate of the imperial crown of the same.
The next year, the First Act of Supremacy (1534) directly linked the head of the church to the imperial crown:
The only supreme head in earth of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia, and shall have and enjoy annexed and united to the imperial crown of this realm.
The Crown of Ireland Act 1542, passed in 1541, changed the title for the ruler of Ireland from Lord of Ireland to King of Ireland. It also named Henry head of the Church of Ireland for similar reasons.
During the reign of Mary I, the First Act of Supremacy was cancelled. But under Elizabeth I, the Second Act of Supremacy was passed in 1559, with similar wording. Even after a period when the monarchy was removed (the English Interregnum), the laws were restored. So, by acts of Parliament, the the Crown of England (and later the British and UK crowns) are considered "imperial crowns." This means the monarch has supreme power within their own lands.
George III as Emperor
In 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed by joining the British and Irish parliaments. It was suggested that George III should be called Emperor of the British Isles. However, he refused and became king of "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland."
Parliament used the words "empire" and "imperial." A writer named Blackstone explained in 1765 that when these terms were used for England, it simply meant "our king is just as powerful and independent within his own lands as any emperor is in his empire."
British Monarchs as Emperor/Empress of India (1876–1948)
The British government, led by Benjamin Disraeli, gave Queen Victoria the extra title of Empress of India. This happened through an Act of Parliament, starting on May 1, 1876. It is said that this was partly to make the Queen happy, as she felt her daughter, Victoria, who would become the German empress, had a higher title.
The title also showed that Britain was taking over from the former Mughal emperor as the main ruler of India. Britain ruled indirectly through many princely states, which were protected but accepted the British monarch as their supreme lord.
George VI did not immediately give up the title of Emperor of India when India and Pakistan became independent on August 15, 1947. He remained king of both new countries. However, he officially stopped using the title on June 22, 1948.
See also
- Style of the British Sovereign
- British Constantine
- British Empire
