British Kings and Queens

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England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been united since the early 19th century, but their leaders have struggled for power since the Romans abandoned Britannia in the fifth century A.D. As the Romans departed, Celtic Britain began to see an influx of Angles, Jutes, and Saxons, laying the foundation for English culture. By the ninth century, Anglo-Saxon monarchs like Alfred the Great faced Viking invasions. In the 11th century, Danish King Canute ruled both England and Denmark. Soon after the Anglo-Saxon monarchy was restored, the Normans invaded, with William the Bastard conquering England and his successors, like Edward I, taking Wales and Ireland. For centuries, Britain was intertwined with the continent through land, allegiance, and ambition. English kings claimed the French throne, leading to the Hundred Years' War. By Queen Mary's reign, only Calais remained in English possession, which was lost in 1558. Her successor, Elizabeth, had to defend against Catholic powers, particularly Spain. The 17th and 18th centuries saw Britain build an expansive empire, even after losing the American colonies. Over the past two centuries, the crown transitioned to a constitutional monarchy. This narrative unfolds through the lives of its significant monarchs, chronicling over a thousand years of history.