English Kings

By Vipa
  • Period: 1066 to 1087

    William The Conqueror

    Born around 1028, William was the illegitimate son of Duke Robert I of Normandy,
  • Period: 1087 to 1100

    William II

    William's relations with the Church were not easy; he took over Archbishop Lanfranc's revenues after the latter's death in 1089, kept other bishoprics vacant to make use of their revenues, and had numerous arguments with Lanfranc's popular successor,
  • Period: 1100 to 1135

    Henry I

    William II was followed on the throne by his youngest brother, Henry. He was crowned three days after his brother's death, against the possibility that his eldest brother Robert might claim the English throne on his imminent return from the Crusade.
  • Period: 1135 to 1154

    Stephen and Matilda

    On the death of Henry I in 1135, his favourite nephew, Stephen of Blois, son of his sister Adela, hurried to London, where he secured election and coronation within the month. This contravened the oath he and his fellow barons had sworn in 1127 to Henry's daughter, the Empress Matilda. His election was confirmed by the Pope in 1136.
  • Period: 1154 to 1189

    Henry II

    Henry II ruled over an empire which stretched from the Scottish border to the Pyrenees.
  • Period: 1189 to 1199

    Richard I

    Henry's eldest surviving son, Richard I (reigned 1189-99), fulfilled his main ambition by going on crusade in 1190, leaving the ruling of England to others.
  • Period: 1199 to 1216

    John Lackland

    Henry III, King John's son, was only nine when he became king. By 1227, when he assumed power from his regent, order had been restored, based on his acceptance of Magna Carta.