Timeline of British History

55BC First Roman contact. Britain later becomes part of the huge Roman Empire
Emperor Claudius founds Londinium 43AD

400AD Anglo Saxons - Native Briton’s retreated to Wales, Cornwall and Cumbria. Picts and Jutes arrive. Four dialects emerge e.g. Northumbrian, Mercian, West Saxon & Kentish.

797 Vikings - Raiders from the North, inconsistent rule.

878 Alfred “the Great” - forced the Vikings back over the “Danelaw”-Chester to London

1016-42 Canute - Danish King brought an end to centuries of conflict

1042-66 Edward “the Confessor” - Died childless, allegedly promised throne to William I

1066 Harold II - Last Anglo Saxon king. Defeated Harald Hardraade, killed at Hastings

NORMAN INVASION
1066-87 William I “the Conqueror”- Battle of Hastings, Domesday Book 1086.

1087-1100 William II - Brutal leader, defeated King Malcolm III of Scotland, murdered for his brother, Henry I

1100-35 Henry I - Daughter Matilda married Geoffrey Plantagenet, development of bureaucracy.

1135-54 Stephen I - Nephew of Henry I, he usurped the throne. Fought rightful heir Matilda throughout.

1154-89 Henry II - Son of Matilda Executed Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket.

1189-99 Richard I - The Lionheart, fought in the Crusades. Spent only 6 months at home.

1199-1216 John I - Brother of Richard, signed the Magna Carta in 1215. Created fledgling English Navy.

PLANTAGENET, LANCASTER AND YORK
1216-72 - Henry III Son of John I. Presided over first “parlements”–between kings, barons and knights

1272-1307 - Edward I Son of Henry III. Built chain of massive castles across Wales, suppressed rebellions.

1307-27 Edward II - Defeated by Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, at Bannockburn, 1314. Forced to abdicate.

1327-77 Edward III - Rebuilt Windsor Castle, started the 100 years war, Black Death 1348.

1377-99 Richard II - Peasants Revolt 1381. Invented the handkerchief. Imprisoned by his cousin, Henry IV

1399-1413 Henry IV - Defeated Owain Glyndwr and other rebellions. Burnt religious heretics.

1413-22 Henry V - Won the Battle of Agincourt 1415 during 100 years war. Dominant European power.

1422-61 Henry VI - Regular bouts of insanity. Joan D’arc forced his armies out of France

1461-70 Edward IV - Fought War of the Roses (1455) between Lancaster and York

1470-71 Henry VI - Briefly snatched power back during the War of the Roses

1471-83 Edward IV - Spent much of his reign fighting Henry VI and his followers.

1483 Edward V - Aged 13 was declared illegitimate and held in the Tower of London. Never seen again.

1483-85 Richard III - Uncle of Edward V. Killed by exiled Henry of Lancaster, ending the War of the Roses.

TUDOR (THE RENAISSANCE)
1485-1509 Henry VII - Established Tudor dynasty. Defeated Richard III at Bosworth 1485. Columbus 1492.

1509-47 Henry VIII - Married six times, split from Catholic Church.

1547-53 Edward VI - Son of Jane Seymour died aged 15. His heir, Lady Jane Grey, beheaded 9 days later.

1553-58 Mary I - Daughter of Catherine of Aragon chose Latin mass.

1558-1603 Elizabeth I - Daughter of Anne Boleyn, defeated Spanish Armada. Shakespeare.

STUART (COLONISATION)
1603-25 James I - First authorised book of the “King James” Bible. Landing at Plymouth Rock 1820

1625-49 Charles I - Son of James I. Chose to rule without Parliament, executed in 1649 after Civil War.

1649-60 Cromwell - Ruled as Lord Protector until his death in 1658

1660-85 Charles II - Son of Charles I. Affair with actress, Nell Gwynne. Great Fire of London 1666.

1685-88 James II - Younger brother of Charles II. Fled the country as William of Orange grew in support.

1688-1702 William III - Hero of Irish Protestantism winning the Battle of the Boyne – rise of the Orange Order.

1702-14 Anne - Jacobite revolt 1708. Newcomen Steam Engine 1712.

THE HOUSE OF HANOVER
1714-27 George I - Robert Walpole, first “Prime Minister”

1727-60 George II - Defeated Scots at Culloden, 1746. Gregorian Calendar & National Anthem introduced.

1760-1820 George III - First British Monarch since 1702. Bought Buckingham House, American Revolution.

1820-30 George IV - Proclaimed Prince Regent in 1811, due to madness of George III.

1830-37 William IV - Ruler when slavery was ended throughout Britain, Reform bill passed.

1837-1901 Victoria - Longest reign in British history. Industrial revolution.

1901-10 Edward VII - Related to nearly every European monarch, known as the “Uncle of Europe”.

WINDSOR
1910-1936 George V - Changed name from Saxe-Coburg to Windsor. Began the Royal Christmas address.

1936 Edward VIII - Abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson

1936-52 George VI - Married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother

1953- Elizabeth II