Philip & Mary 1555-1558 Queen Mary (b 1516; 1553–1558) turned her attention at age 37 to finding a husband and producing an heir, to block her sister the Protestant Elizabeth from succeeding to the throne who was still her successor under the terms of Henry VIII’s will and the Act of Succession of 1544. While there were […]

Mary 1553-1554 Mary was the eldest daughter of Henry VIII and his first queen, Catherine of Aragon, was born at Greenwich, in February, 1516. She was soon declared Princess of Wales, and was settled with a numerous household at Ludlow, where she was under the care of the Countess of Salisbury. Brought up in the Catholic faith, she […]

Edward VI 1547-1553 Edward VI was the only son of Henry VIII, by his queen, Jane Seymour, was born at Hampton Court in 1537. His mother died soon after his birth. He was carefully educated, and had for tutors Sir Anthony Cooke and Sir John Cheke. He succeeded his father in 1547, but by reason of […]

Henry VIII 1509-1547 Henry VIII was the second son of Henry VII and his queen, Elizabeth of York, was born at Greenwich, in 1491. He was very early created Duke of York, and at four years of age was named Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. He became heir apparent on the death of his elder brother, Prince Arthur, in […]

Henry VII 1485-1509 Henry VII was the son of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and his wife, Margaret Beaufort, a descendant of the eldest son of John of Gaunt and thus the first sovereign of the Tudor line. Henry was born most likely at Pembroke Castle, in the year 1456, the same year of his […]

Richard III 1483-1485 Richard III was the brother of Edward IV and youngest son of Richard, Duke of York, was born at Fotheringay Castle in 1450. Soon after the accession of Edward IV. he was created Duke of Gloucester, K.G., and lord high admiral though only in his eleventh year. Other dignities and offices were afterwards conferred […]

Edward V 1483 Edward V was the eldest son of Edward IV, and his queen Elizabeth, was born in the Sanctuary at Westminster, November 4th, 1470. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Ludlow and succeeded his father, April 9th, 1483. He was at the time at Ludlow, and while on his way to […]

Edward IV 1461-1470 Edward IV was the son of Richard, Duke of York. Edward was born at Rouen in the year 1441. When Edward came of age, a fierce struggle between the Houses of York and Lancaster was underway, which would embroil England in a bitter civil war. During this period of turmoil, Edward proved […]

Henry VI 1422-1461 Restored to throne 1470-1471 Henry VI was the only son of Henry V and his queen, Katherine of France, and was born at Windsor, in 1421. At the age of nine months be succeeded his father, 1st September, 1422, the government being intrusted to his uncles the Dukes of Gloucester and Bedford, of whom […]

Henry V 1413-1422 Henry V was the son of Henry IV. He was born in 1388, and succeeded his father to the throne of England in 1413. It is usually said that his dissipated habits while a prince gave his father great uneasiness ; but he frequently displayed noble traits of character, and on ascending the throne […]