List of rulers in the British Isles facts for kids

The British Isles, a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

This article is about the kings and queens who have ruled the different parts of the British Isles. The British Isles are a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, located off the northwest coast of continental Europe. They include large islands like Great Britain and Ireland, as well as smaller ones like the Isle of Man and the Hebrides.

For a long time, England and Scotland were separate kingdoms with their own rulers. In 1603, King James VI of Scotland also became King James I of England. This meant he ruled both countries, but they still had their own separate governments. In 1707, during the reign of Queen Anne, England and Scotland officially joined together to form the new Kingdom of Great Britain. They then shared one parliament in Westminster.

England's Early Kings and Queens
Wales: A Land of Many Rulers
Scotland: Kings and Queens of the North
Britain: United Kingdom Monarchs
Images for kids
See also

England's Early Kings and Queens

The House of Wessex: Early English Rulers

The House of Wessex was a powerful family that ruled the kingdom of Wessex. Over time, they became kings of all England.

Alfred was king of Wessex starting in 871. He was a very important ruler.

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Alfred the Great 886 – 26 October 899		849 Son of Æthelwulf of Wessex	Ealhswith 5 children	26 October 899 Aged about 50	Son of Æthelwulf of Wessex
Edward the Elder 26 October 899 – 17 July 924		c. 874 Son of Alfred	(1) Ecgwynn 2 children (2) Ælfflæd 8 children (3) Eadgifu 4 children	17 July 924 Aged about 50	Son of Alfred

Who Ruled in 924?

Some historians believe that Ælfweard of Wessex might have been king for a short time in 924, after his father Edward the Elder and before his brother Æthelstan. He was never crowned. Some old records say he ruled for about four weeks, but others say he died only 16 days after his father. It's not clear if he ruled all of England or just Wessex.

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Ælfweard c. 17 July 924 – 2 August 924		c. 901 Son of Edward the Elder	Unmarried? No children	2 August 924 Aged about 23	Son of Edward the Elder

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Æthelstan 924 – 27 October 939	894 Son of Edward the Elder	Unmarried	27 October 939 Aged about 45	Son of Edward the Elder
Edmund I 27 October 939 – 26 May 946	c. 921 Son of Edward the Elder	(1) Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury 2 sons (2) Æthelflæd of Damerham No children	26 May 946 Killed in a fight, aged about 25	Son of Edward the Elder
Eadred 26 May 946 – 23 November 955	c. 923 Son of Edward the Elder	Unmarried	23 November 955 Aged about 32	Son of Edward the Elder
Eadwig 23 November 955 – 1 October 959	c. 940 Son of Edmund I	Ælfgifu No children	1 October 959 Aged about 19	Son of Edmund I
Edgar the Peaceful 1 October 959 – 8 July 975	c. 943 Son of Edmund I	(1) Æthelflæd 1 son (2) Ælfthryth 2 sons	8 July 975 Aged 31	Son of Edmund I
Edward the Martyr 8 July 975 – 18 March 978	c. 962 Son of Edgar the Peaceful	Unmarried	18 March 978 Murdered, aged about 16	Son of Edgar the Peaceful
Æthelred (1st reign) 18 March 978 – 1013	c. 968 Son of Edgar the Peaceful	(1) Ælfgifu of York 9 children (2) Emma of Normandy 3 children	23 April 1016 Aged about 48	Son of Edgar the Peaceful

The House of Denmark: Viking Kings

In 1013, England was taken over by Danish kings. Sweyn Forkbeard, a Danish king, invaded England, and Æthelred had to leave the country.

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Sweyn Forkbeard 25 December 1013 – 3 February 1014		17 April 963 Son of Harald Bluetooth	(1) Gunhild of Wenden 7 children (2) Sigrid the Haughty 1 daughter	3 February 1014 Aged 50	Conquered England

The House of Wessex Returns (First Time)

After Sweyn Forkbeard died, Æthelred the Unready came back from exile and became king again. His son, Edmund, took over after him.

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Æthelred (2nd reign) 3 February 1014 – 23 April 1016		c. 968 Son of Edgar the Peaceful	(1) Ælfgifu of York 9 children (2) Emma of Normandy 3 children	23 April 1016 Aged about 48	Son of Edgar the Peaceful
Edmund Ironside 23 April 1016 – 30 November 1016		c. 990 Son of Æthelred	Edith of East Anglia 2 children	30 November 1016 Aged 26	Son of Æthelred

The House of Denmark Returns

After a big battle in 1016, King Edmund made a deal with Cnut (Canute). Cnut would rule most of England. When Edmund died a month later, Cnut became the sole king of all England for 19 years.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Canute 18 October 1016 – 12 November 1035	c. 995 Son of Sweyn Forkbeard	(1) Ælfgifu of Northampton 2 sons (2) Emma of Normandy 2 children	12 November 1035 Aged about 40	Son of Sweyn
Harold Harefoot 12 November 1035 – 17 March 1040	c. 1016 Son of Canute	Ælfgifu? 1 son?	17 March 1040 Aged about 24	Son of Canute
Harthacnut 17 March 1040 – 8 June 1042	1018 Son of Canute	Unmarried	8 June 1042 Aged about 24	Son of Canute

The House of Wessex Returns (Second Time)

After Harthacnut, the Saxon kings from the House of Wessex ruled again for a short time, from 1042 to 1066.

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Edward the Confessor 8 June 1042 – 5 January 1066		c. 1003 Son of Æthelred	Edith of Wessex No children	5 January 1066 Aged about 63	Son of Æthelred

The House of Godwin: A Brief Reign

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Harold Godwinson 6 January 1066 – 14 October 1066		c. 1022 Son of Godwin	(1) Edith Swannesha 5 children (2) Ealdgyth 2 sons	14 October 1066 Killed in battle, aged about 44	Chosen by Edward the Confessor and the Witenagemot

The House of Wessex Returns (Third Time)

After King Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings, a group of leaders called the Witan chose Edgar Ætheling as king. He ruled for a short time but was never crowned. He later gave up his claim to the throne to William the Conqueror.

Ruler	Picture	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Edgar Ætheling 15 October 1066 – 17 December 1066		c. 1051 Grandson of Edmund Ironside	Unmarried	c. 1126 Aged about 75	Grandson of Edmund Ironside Chosen by the Witenagemot

The House of Normandy: The Norman Conquest

In 1066, several people wanted to be king of England. Harold Godwinson was chosen by the English leaders. But Duke William II of Normandy, a cousin of the previous king, also claimed the throne. William invaded England and won the Battle of Hastings.

William was crowned King William I of England on Christmas Day 1066. He moved the capital from Winchester to London.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
William I 25 December 1066 – 9 September 1087	c. 1028 Son of Robert the Magnificent	Matilda of Flanders 9 children	9 September 1087 Aged about 59	Conquered England
William II William Rufus 26 September 1087 – 2 August 1100	c. 1056 Son of William the Conqueror	Unmarried	2 August 1100 Shot with an arrow, aged 44	Son of William I
Henry I Henry Beauclerc 5 August 1100 – 1 December 1135	September 1068 Son of William the Conqueror	(1) Matilda of Scotland 2 children (2) Adeliza of Louvain No children	1 December 1135 Aged 67	Son of William I

The House of Blois: A Time of Chaos

Henry I had no sons who lived to rule. He wanted his daughter, Matilda, to be queen. But when Henry died, his nephew Stephen of Blois quickly took the throne. This led to a long period of fighting known as The Anarchy.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Stephen Stephen of Blois 22 December 1135 – 25 October 1154			c. 1096 Grandson of William I	Matilda of Boulogne 6 children	25 October 1154 Aged about 58	Took the throne

Empress Matilda: A Disputed Queen

Matilda was named as the heir by her father, Henry I. But her cousin, Stephen, took the throne instead. Matilda controlled England for a few months in 1141, but she was never crowned queen. Because of this, she is usually not listed as a monarch of England.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Matilda (Title disputed) 7 April 1141 – 1 November 1141			7 February 1102 Daughter of Henry I	(1) Henry V No children (2) Geoffrey Plantagenet 3 sons	10 September 1167 Aged 65	Daughter of Henry I

The House of Anjou (Plantagenet): A New Dynasty

King Stephen and Matilda eventually made an agreement. Stephen agreed that Henry, Matilda's son, would be the next king. This started a new royal family called the House of Anjou, also known as the House of Plantagenet. These kings ruled a large area from France to Ireland.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Henry II Henry Curtmantle 19 December 1154 – 6 July 1189	5 March 1133 Grandson of Henry I	Eleanor of Aquitaine 8 children	6 July 1189 Aged 56	Grandson of Henry I
Richard I Richard the Lionheart 3 September 1189 – 6 April 1199	8 September 1157 Son of Henry II	Berengaria of Navarre No children	6 April 1199 Shot by a crossbow bolt, aged 41	Son of Henry II
John John Lackland 27 May 1199 – 19 October 1216	24 December 1166 Son of Henry II	(1) Isabel of Gloucester No children (2) Isabella of Angoulême 5 children	19 October 1216 Aged 49	Son of Henry II

Louis VIII of France: A Disputed King

Louis VIII of France briefly controlled about half of England from 1216 to 1217 during a war against King John. He was welcomed by some English nobles and declared king, but he was never crowned. Later, he agreed that he was not the rightful king of England.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Louis (Title disputed) 1216 – 22 September 1217			5 September 1187 Son of Philip II of France	Blanche of Castile 13 children	8 November 1226 Aged 39	Conquered part of England

The House of Plantagenet: English Identity Grows

The Plantagenet family became more focused on England after they lost most of their lands in France. The Houses of Lancaster and York were later branches of this family.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Henry III Henry of Winchester 28 October 1216 – 16 November 1272	1 October 1207 Son of John	Eleanor of Provence 5 children	16 November 1272 Aged 65	Son of John
Edward I Edward Longshanks 20 November 1272 – 7 July 1307	17 June 1239 Son of Henry III	(1) Eleanor of Castile 16 children (2) Margaret of France 3 children	7 July 1307 Aged 68	Son of Henry III
Edward II Edward of Caernarfon 8 July 1307 – 20 January 1327	25 April 1284 Son of Edward I	Isabella of France 4 children	21 September 1327 Murdered, aged 43	Son of Edward I
Edward III 25 January 1327 – 21 June 1377	13 November 1312 Son of Edward II	Philippa of Hainault 14 children	21 June 1377 Aged 64	Son of Edward II
Richard II 22 June 1377 – 29 September 1399	6 January 1367 Grandson of Edward III	(1) Anne of Bohemia No children (2) Isabella of Valois No children	14 February 1400 Aged 33	Grandson of Edward III

The House of Lancaster: A New Claim to the Throne

This family came from Edward III's third son. Henry IV took power from Richard II.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Henry IV Henry of Bolingbroke 30 September 1399 – 20 March 1413	15 April 1367 Grandson of Edward III	(1) Mary de Bohun 6 children (2) Joanna of Navarre No children	20 March 1413 Aged 45	Took the throne
Henry V 21 March 1413 – 31 August 1422	16 September 1386 Son of Henry IV	Catherine of Valois 1 son	31 August 1422 Aged 36	Son of Henry IV
Henry VI (1st reign) 1 September 1422 – 4 March 1461	6 December 1421 Son of Henry V	Margaret of Anjou 1 son	21 May 1471 Allegedly murdered, aged 49	Son of Henry V

The House of York: The Wars of the Roses

The House of York also claimed the throne. The Wars of the Roses (1455–1485) were a series of fights between the Houses of Lancaster and York for control of England.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Edward IV (1st reign) 4 March 1461 – 3 October 1470			28 April 1442 Great-great-grandson of Edward III	Elizabeth Woodville 10 children	9 April 1483 Aged 40	Took the throne

The House of Lancaster Returns

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Henry VI (2nd reign) 3 October 1470 – 11 April 1471			6 December 1421 Son of Henry V	Margaret of Anjou 1 son	21 May 1471 Allegedly murdered, aged 49	Took the throne back

The House of York Returns

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Edward IV (2nd reign) 11 April 1471 – 9 April 1483	28 April 1442 Great-great-grandson of Edward III	Elizabeth Woodville 10 children	9 April 1483 Aged 40	Took the throne back
Edward V 9 April 1483 – 25 June 1483	2 November 1470 Son of Edward IV	Unmarried	Disappeared mid-1483 Allegedly murdered, aged 12	Son of Edward IV
Richard III 26 June 1483 – 22 August 1485	2 October 1452 Great-great-grandson of Edward III	Anne Neville 1 son	22 August 1485 Killed in battle, aged 32	Took the throne

The House of Tudor: A New Era

The Tudor family came to power when Henry VII defeated Richard III in 1485, ending the Wars of the Roses. Henry married Elizabeth of York, bringing together the Lancaster and York families.

With Henry VIII, the monarch also became the head of the Church of England.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
Henry VII 22 August 1485 – 21 April 1509	28 January 1457 Great-great-great-grandson of Edward III	Elizabeth of York 8 children	21 April 1509 Aged 52	Conquered the throne
Henry VIII 22 April 1509 – 28 January 1547	28 June 1491 Son of Henry VII	(1) Catherine of Aragon 1 daughter (2) Anne Boleyn 1 daughter (3) Jane Seymour 1 son (3 further marriages)	28 January 1547 Aged 55	Son of Henry VII
Edward VI 28 January 1547 – 6 July 1553	12 October 1537 Son of Henry VIII	Unmarried	6 July 1553 Aged 15	Son of Henry VIII

Lady Jane Grey: A Nine-Day Queen

Edward VI named Lady Jane Grey as his heir in his will, even though Parliament had set a different order of succession. Jane was proclaimed queen for nine days in July 1553. However, Edward VI's half-sister Mary was then proclaimed queen instead. Jane was executed in 1554, at the age of 16.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became Queen
Jane (Title disputed) 10 July 1553 – 19 July 1553			October 1537 Great-granddaughter of Henry VII	Guildford Dudley No children	12 February 1554 Executed, aged 16	Named heir by Edward VI

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became Queen/King
Mary I Bloody Mary 19 July 1553 – 17 November 1558			18 February 1516 Daughter of Henry VIII	Philip II of Spain No children	17 November 1558 Aged 42	Daughter of Henry VIII
Philip (Co-ruler with Mary I) 25 July 1554 – 17 November 1558			21 May 1527 Son of Charles V	Mary I of England No children	13 September 1598 Aged 71	Husband of Mary I

Coat of arms of Mary I and Philip.

Under the marriage agreement, Philip shared Mary I's titles and honors. Official documents and laws were made in both their names. Coins were even minted with both their faces.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became Queen
Elizabeth I 17 November 1558 – 24 March 1603			7 September 1533 Daughter of Henry VIII	Unmarried	24 March 1603 Aged 69	Daughter of Henry VIII

The House of Stuart: Uniting the Crowns

When Elizabeth I died without children in 1603, her cousin, King James VI of Scotland, became King James I of England. This event is called the Union of the Crowns. James was related to the Tudors through his great-grandmother, Margaret Tudor. In 1604, he started calling himself "King of Great Britain," but England and Scotland still had separate parliaments until 1707.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became King
James I 24 March 1603 – 27 March 1625			19 June 1566 Son of Mary, Queen of Scots	Anne of Denmark 7 children	27 March 1625 Aged 58	Great-great-grandson of Henry VII
Charles I 27 March 1625 – 30 January 1649			19 November 1600 Son of James I	Henrietta Maria of France 9 children	30 January 1649 Executed, aged 48	Son of James I

The Interregnum: No King for a Time

After Charles I was executed in 1649, England had no monarch until Charles II returned in 1660. This period is called the Interregnum.

From 1649 to 1653, England was ruled by Parliament. Then, in 1653, Oliver Cromwell took control and became the Lord Protector. He was like a military leader.

Cromwell chose his son, Richard Cromwell, to take over after him. But Richard wasn't a strong leader and was removed in 1659. After some more chaos, the monarchy was brought back, and Charles II became king.

Lords Protector	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died
Oliver Cromwell 16 December 1653 – 3 September 1658			25 April 1599 Son of Robert Cromwell	Elizabeth Bourchier 9 children	3 September 1658 Aged 59
Richard Cromwell Tumbledown Dick 3 September 1658 – 7 May 1659			4 October 1626 Son of Oliver Cromwell	Dorothy Maijor 9 children	12 July 1712 Aged 85

The House of Stuart Returns

After the monarchy was restored, Charles II ruled. His brother, James II, became king after him, but James was Catholic, which caused problems.

James II was removed from power by Parliament during the Glorious Revolution. His daughter Mary II and her husband William III became the new rulers. A law called the Act of Settlement 1701 made sure that no Catholic could ever be king or queen.

After the Acts of Union 1707, England became part of the new Kingdom of Great Britain.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King/Queen
Charles II 29 May 1660 – 6 February 1685	29 May 1630 Son of Charles I	Catherine of Braganza No children	6 February 1685 Aged 54	Son of Charles I
James II 6 February 1685 – 23 December 1688	14 October 1633 Son of Charles I	(1) Anne Hyde 8 children (2) Mary of Modena 7 children	16 September 1701 Aged 67	Son of Charles I
Mary II 13 February 1689 – 28 December 1694	30 April 1662 Daughter of James II	William III of England No children	28 December 1694 Aged 32	Offered the Crown by Parliament
William III William of Orange 13 February 1689 – 8 March 1702	4 November 1650 Grandson of Charles I	Mary II of England No children	8 March 1702 Aged 51	Offered the Crown by Parliament
Anne 8 March 1702 – 1 May 1707 (Queen of Great Britain until 1 August 1714)	6 February 1665 Daughter of James II	George of Denmark No surviving children	1 August 1714 Aged 49	Daughter of James II

Wales: A Land of Many Rulers

Wales never had one single "King of Wales" for a long time, unlike England or Scotland. Many different leaders claimed the title, but the country was only truly united once, under Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from 1055 to 1063.

Scotland: Kings and Queens of the North

The House of Alpin (848–1034)

This family ruled Scotland for many years. The crown often passed between different branches of the family, sometimes with fighting. Malcolm II was the last king of this house. He made sure his grandson, Duncan I, would become king next.

King's Name	Born	Family	Reign	Title
Kenneth I MacAlpin (Coinneach mac Ailpein)	Son of Alpin	843/848 – 13 February 858	King of the Picts	The Conqueror
Donald I (Dòmhnall mac Ailpein)	Brother of Kenneth I	858 – 13 April 862	King of the Picts
Constantine I (Còiseam mac Choinnich)	Son of Kenneth I	862–877	King of the Picts	The Wine-Bountiful
Áed (Aodh mac Choinnich)	Son of Kenneth I	877–878	King of the Picts
Giric (Griogair mac Dhunghail)	Son of Donald I?	878–889	King of the Picts	Son of Fortune
Eochaid	Grandson of Kenneth I*	878–889?*	King of the Picts
Donald II (Dòmhnall mac Chòiseim)	Son of Constantine I	889–900	King of Scotland	The Madman
Constantine II (Còiseam mac Aoidh)	Son of Áed	900–943	King of Scotland	The Middle Aged
Malcolm I (Maol Chaluim mac Dhòmhnaill)	Son of Donald II	943–954	King of Scotland	The Dangerous Red
Indulf	Son of Constantine II	954–962	King of Scotland	The Aggressor
Dub (Dubh or Duff)	Son of Malcolm I	962–967	King of Scotland	The Vehement
Cuilén (Cailean)	Son of Indulf	967–971	King of Scotland	The White
Amlaíb (Amhlaigh)	Son of Indulf	973–977‡	King of Scotland
Kenneth II (Coinneach mac Mhaoil Chaluim)	Son of Malcolm I	971–995	King of Scotland	The Fratricide
Constantine III (Còiseam mac Chailein)	Son of Cuilén	995–997	King of Scotland
Kenneth III (Coinneach mac Dhuibh)	Son of Dub	997 – 25 March 1005	King of Scotland	The Chief/The Brown
Malcolm II (Maol Chaluim mac Choinnich)	Son of Kenneth II	1005–1034	King of Scotland	The Destroyer

*Eochaid's reign is not clear. He might have been a co-king with Giric. ‡Amlaíb's reign is only known from a record of his death.

The House of Dunkeld (1034–1286)

Duncan became king as the grandson of Malcolm II. He was killed by Macbeth. Later, Duncan's son Malcolm III defeated Macbeth and became king. This family ruled Scotland for a long time, usually passing the throne from father to son.

King's Name (Reign)	Title	Nickname	Marriages	Family Status
Duncan I (1034–1040)	King of Scotland	The Diseased	Suthen at least two sons	Grandson of Malcolm II
Macbeth (1040–1057)	King of Scotland	The Red King	Gruoch of Scotland no children	Son of Mormaer Findláech
Lulach (1057–1058)	King of Scotland	The Unfortunate The Foolish	Unknown two children	Step-son of Macbeth
Malcolm III (1058–1093)	King of Scotland	Canmore "Great Chief"	Ingibiorg Finnsdottir three sons Margaret of Wessex eight children	Son of Duncan I
Donald III (1093–1097)	King of Scotland	The Fair	Unknown at least one daughter	Son of Duncan I
Duncan II (1094)	King of Scotland		Uchtreda of Northumbria one son	Son of Malcolm III
Edgar (1097–1107)	King of Scotland	The Valiant	None	Son of Malcolm III
Alexander I (1107–1124)	King of Scotland	The Fierce	Sybilla of Normandy no children	Son of Malcolm III
David I (1124–1153)	King of Scotland	The Saint	Maud, Countess of Huntingdon four children	Son of Malcolm III
Malcolm IV (1153–1165)	King of Scotland	The Maiden Great Chief	None	Grandson of David I
William I (1165–1214)	King of Scotland	The Lion The Rough	Ermengarde de Beaumont four children	Grandson of David I
Alexander II (1214–1249)	King of Scotland		Joan of England no children Marie de Coucy one son	Son of William I
Alexander III (1249–1286)	King of Scotland		Margaret of England three children Yolande de Dreux no children	Son of Alexander II

The House of Sverre (1286–1290)

The status of Margaret, Maid of Norway, as a Scottish queen is debated. She was never officially crowned.

Name	Portrait	Born	Marriage(s)	Died	Family Status
Margaret the Maid of Norway 1286–1290		c. April 1283 Daughter of Eric II of Norway	None	September/October 1290 Aged 7	Granddaughter of Alexander III

First Interregnum (1290–1292)

After Margaret's death, Scotland had no king for two years because there was no clear heir.

The House of Balliol (1292–1296)

Many people claimed the Scottish throne. Edward I of England was asked to decide. He chose John Balliol, but he made the Scots promise loyalty to him. John Balliol was not a strong king and was forced to give up his throne in 1296. Edward I then tried to take over Scotland.

Name	Portrait	Born	Marriage(s)	Died	Family Status
John Balliol Toom Tabard ("Empty Cloak") 1292–1296		c. 1249	Isabella de Warenne at least one son	c. 25 November 1314	Great-grandson of David of Huntingdon (brother of William I)

Second Interregnum (1296–1306)

Scotland had no king for ten years after John Balliol.

The House of Bruce (1306–1371)

The Scots fought against English rule. Robert the Bruce became a leader and was crowned King of Scots in 1306. He defeated the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, and Scotland became independent. Robert's son, David, became king as a child. David had to flee when Edward Balliol tried to take the throne. David later returned, but he had no children, and the House of Bruce ended.

Name	Portrait	Born	Marriage(s)	Died	Family Status
Robert I the Bruce 1306–1329		11 July 1274	(1) Isabella of Mar one daughter (2) Elizabeth de Burgh four children	7 June 1329	Great-great-grandson of David of Huntingdon
David II 1329–1371		5 March 1324	(1) Joan of England no children (2) Margaret Drummond no children	22 February 1371	Son of Robert I

Edward Balliol: A Disputed King

Edward Balliol was the son of King John Balliol. He tried to take the Scottish throne during David II's childhood, with English support. He was crowned king in 1332 but was quickly driven out. He made several attempts to regain the throne but never held it for long. He gave up his claim in 1356.

Name	Portrait	Born	Marriage(s)	Died	Claim
Edward Balliol 1332–1356 (In opposition to David II)		1283 Son of John Balliol	None	1367	Son of John Balliol

The House of Stewart/Stuart (1371–1651)

This family began with Robert the Stewart, grandson of Robert I. Many of these kings were young when they took the throne, leading to periods where nobles had more power.

James VI became King of England and Ireland in 1603. His son, Charles I, faced a Civil War and was executed. The English Parliament then ended the monarchy. However, the Scottish Parliament declared Charles II, Charles I's son, as their king. He ruled until 1651 when Oliver Cromwell's armies took over Scotland.

Name	Born	Marriage(s)	Died	Family Status
Robert II the Stewart 1371–1390	2 March 1316	(1) Elizabeth Mure ten children (2) Euphemia de Ross four children	19 April 1390	Grandson of Robert I
Robert III the Lame King 1390–1406	c. 1337	Anabella Drummond seven children	4 April 1406	Son of Robert II
James I 1406–1437	July 1394	Joan Beaufort eight children	21 February 1437	Son of Robert III
James II Fiery Face 1437–1460	16 October 1430	Mary of Guelders seven children	3 August 1460	Son of James I
James III 1460–1488	10 July 1451	Margaret of Denmark three children	11 June 1488	Son of James II
James IV 1488–1513	17 March 1473	Margaret Tudor six children	9 September 1513 Killed in battle	Son of James III
James V 1513–1542	15 April 1512	(1) Madeleine of Valois no children (2) Mary of Guise three children	14 December 1542	Son of James IV
Mary I 1542–1567	8 December 1542	(1) François II no children (2) Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley one child (3) James Hepburn no children	8 February 1587 Executed	Daughter of James V
James VI 1567–1625	19 June 1566	Anne of Denmark seven children	27 March 1625	Son of Mary I
Charles I 1625–1649	19 November 1600	Henrietta Maria of France nine children	30 January 1649 Executed	Son of James VI
Charles II 1649–1651	29 May 1630	Catherine of Braganza no children	6 February 1685	Son of Charles I

Third Interregnum (1651–1660)

Scotland also had a period without a king when it was under the control of the Commonwealth of England.

The House of Stuart Restored (1660–1707)

The Stuart kings returned to Scotland. Charles II ruled, and then his brother, James VII (also James II of England), became king. James's Catholic faith led to him being removed from power. His Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange became the new rulers.

Scotland and England officially joined together in 1707 to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. This happened partly because Queen Anne had no surviving children, and there was a concern about who would rule next.

Name	Born	Marriage(s)	Died	Family Status
Charles II 1660–1685	29 May 1630	Catherine of Braganza no children	6 February 1685	Son of Charles I
James VII 1685–1688	14 October 1633	(1) Anne Hyde eight children (2) Mary of Modena seven children	16 September 1701	Son of Charles I
Mary II 1689–1694	30 April 1662	William III of England three children (none survived infancy)	28 December 1694	Granddaughter of Charles I
William II William of Orange 1689–1702	4 November 1650	Mary II of England three children (none survived infancy)	8 March 1702	Grandson of Charles I
Anne 1702–1707 (Queen of Great Britain 1707–1714)	6 February 1665	George of Denmark 17 children	1 August 1714	Daughter of James VII

Britain: United Kingdom Monarchs

The House of Stuart (1707–1714)

Anne became Queen of Great Britain when England and Scotland united in 1707.

Ruler	Picture	Coat of Arms	Born	Family	Died	How they became Queen
Anne 1 May 1707 – 1 August 1714			6 February 1665 Daughter of James II and VII	Prince George of Denmark No surviving children	1 August 1714 Aged 49	Daughter of James II and VII

The House of Hanover (1714–1901)

After Anne died without children, the throne went to her second cousin, George Louis. This was because of the Act of Settlement 1701, which said that only Protestants could inherit the throne. George was the son of Sophia of Hanover, who was a granddaughter of James VI and I.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King/Queen
George I George Louis 1 August 1714 – 11 June 1727	28 May 1660 Great-grandson of James VI and I	Sophia Dorothea 2 children	11 June 1727 Aged 67	Chosen by Act of Settlement
George II George Augustus 11 June 1727 – 25 October 1760	30 October 1683 Son of George I	Caroline 8 children	25 October 1760 Aged 76	Son of George I
George III George William Frederick 25 October 1760 – 29 January 1820	4 June 1738 Grandson of George II	Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 15 children	29 January 1820 Aged 81	Grandson of George II
George IV George Augustus Frederick 29 January 1820 – 26 June 1830	12 August 1762 Son of George III	(1) Maria Fitzherbert No children (2) Caroline 1 daughter	26 June 1830 Aged 67	Son of George III
William IV William Henry 26 June 1830 – 20 June 1837	21 August 1765 Son of George III	Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen 2 daughters	20 June 1837 Aged 71	Son of George III
Victoria Alexandrina Victoria 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901	24 May 1819 Granddaughter of George III	Albert 9 children	22 January 1901 Aged 81	Granddaughter of George III

The Houses of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Windsor

When Edward VII became king in 1901, he started a new royal family name, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, because of his father. Later, in 1917, during World War I, King George V changed the family name to Windsor because of strong anti-German feelings in the country.

Ruler	Born	Family	Died	How they became King/Queen
Edward VII Albert Edward 22 January 1901 – 6 May 1910	9 November 1841 Son of Victoria	Alexandra of Denmark 6 children	6 May 1910 Aged 68	Son of Victoria
George V George Frederick Ernest Albert 6 May 1910 – 20 January 1936	3 June 1865 Son of Edward VII	Mary of Teck 6 children	20 January 1936 Aged 70	Son of Edward VII
Edward VIII Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David 20 January 1936 – 11 December 1936	23 June 1894 Son of George V	Wallis Simpson No children	28 May 1972 Aged 77	Son of George V
George VI Albert Frederick Arthur George 11 December 1936 – 6 February 1952	14 December 1895 Son of George V	Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon 2 daughters	6 February 1952 Aged 56	Son of George V
Elizabeth II Elizabeth Alexandra Mary 6 February 1952 – 8 September 2022	21 April 1926 Daughter of George VI	Prince Philip 4 children	8 September 2022 Aged 96	Daughter of George VI
Charles III Charles Philip Arthur George 8 September 2022 – present	14 November 1948 Son of Elizabeth II	(1) Diana Spencer 2 sons (2) Camilla Parker Bowles No children	Living	Son of Elizabeth II