Britain has been ruled by monarchs who have left a considerable mark on British history such as Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VIII and Queen Victoria. History however skips mentioning quite a few British monarchs who also contributed to the history and development of Britain. By the way, if you’re a fan of English history head over to genome10k.org and find the best games with historical themes.
These rulers completely contributed to the development of the country but their name and work managed to slip through the avice. British monarchs are bound by history and truth, some influenced British history and have been forgotten in the mix of time. Here are some lost British monarchs that contributed to Britain’s history.
Æthelred the Unready: The Struggle against Denmark Invasion
During the years of 978 to 995 Britain was once again ruled by Denmark and over the course of the next two years Denmark lost control over England. This is when Æthelred II took rule over the state, making him the last King of the Anglo–Saxon period and the first monarch of England. The epithet given to him was ‘unready’ this was due to his poor decision making capabilities and his lack of advice available at the time. Several shifts and struggles did take place during his reign and an ample amount of British history has been etched in time.
In an attempt to dissuade the Viking from invading even further, Æthelred decided to use the strategy of paying Danegeld, in other words, a tax to appease the hostile invaders. This strategy comes under scrutiny often, but it serves to point out the level of struggle he was faced with when trying to safeguard the kingdom from further invasion. With regards to dealing with external threats that were faced by England, owing to the Maritime developments of Æthelred, future monarchs were able to achieve them quite effectively.
Matilda of England: The First Woman to Lay Bid on the English Claims
Matilda, alternatively known as Empress Maud was the offspring of Henry I, and served a vital function in the succession crisis after her father died in the year 1135. Claiming the English throne first fell to Matilda, and during her engagement for power with Stephen of Blois her Female Cousin began a civil war, The Anarchy.
While she never held the official title of a queen, it would not be an understatement to claim that her will power is the sole reason as to how her son Henry II was crowned as the king of England in the year 1154, which then proceeded to get the name of the Plantagenet period. Matilda wanted the throne badly and her struggle to achieve it transformed how females leaders were viewed even centuries later.
Richard II: then a boy of 10, orders a slew of nobles to act against authority corruption
To provide you context, Richard II came into power at the age of 10, after the tragic death of Edoward III in 1377. He was surrounded by nobles and advisors who were looking to control him throughout his early rule as well. Even in the face of such adversity, Richard II played a pivotal role in putting down the Peasants’ Uprisings of 1381, wherein thousands demanded an abolishment to taxation.
A single action of Richard II, a child nonetheless, helped seal the matter, as he decided to negotiate with the rebels to end the uprising. But, there’s always be a time when he’ll have to emerge from the shadows, and when he did that, he entered into multiple conflicts with the powerful barons, who were used to its exertion. This led to his eventual dethronement in 1399 by his cousin Henry IV. The complexity between the monarchs and the English nobility are evident from the struggles Richard II faced.
King Henry VI: The Monarch Who Saw The Beginning Of The Wars Of The Roses
The kingdom under Henry VI was soaked in civil wars due to his undemanding disposition and mental illness, which left the Lancastrians and Yorkists at each other’s throats. Following the death of his father, King Henry V, Henry assumed the throne at the age of infant. But even after succumbing to insanity, he was unable to showcase effective leadership as he took over the reign in a powerless state.
Education in England expanded during this era, a feat accomplished by Henry VI who was responsible for establishing notable colleges in England alongside Eton College and King’s either. This allowed him to leave a mark and positively influence history before being brutally murdered in 1471, alongside shifting the tides with the start of the Wars of Roses and leaving the country in turmoil.
James II: The Final Catholic Monarch in England
James II became king of England, Ireland and Scotland from 1685 to 1688. He was the last Catholic monarch across all three nations. He tried to convince his Catholic subjects to respect the pre-dominantly Protestant rule in place which did not end well for him, especially with the Protestant nobility. His further actions of holding high office Americans Christians led to apprehensions that, he desired to convert England back to Catholicism.
The upward tensions between James II and his subjects resulted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 during the process of which James was dethroned to favor his Protestant daughter Mary II alongside her husband William of Orange. James II’s attempts to modify the religious conditions within England fit promptly in the larger picture which saw major changes to the country’s pathway headed toward constitutional Monarchy and greater religious tolerance.
Mary II: Co-Ruler of England During the Glorious Revolution
Mary II was crowned with her husband William as soon as the Glorious Revolution came to pass. She, on the other hand, was often hidden in William’s shadow during this period. People knew her only as Mary II, an important co-ruler in the couple’s reign.
Mary II is the daughter of James II and the granddaughter of Edward Hyde, and for her to stand and rule against her father, she had to balance her devotion to her husband and love for her family. Mary’s efforts revolved around mending England after the dissidence of the Glorious Revolution. It was with her efforts that the Protestant faith was once again predominant in England, and together with the Bill of Rights (1689) that helped her establish a constitutional government by limiting the Royal power. Mary came to be known during this time as she played an instrumental role in altering the landscape of the British monarchy.
Anne: The Queen Who United Great Britain
In the War of Spanish Succession, Anne achieved multiple political and military successes. She supported the Church of England and dedicated herself to her people, but was heavily mourned due to the deaths of all her children. The royal services and aid she provided for England and Scotland helped create the modern Great Britain we know today.
Conclusion: Remembering the Monarchy Heroes That Were Forgotten
The performances of these English crown monarchs that were forgotten explain a different side to British history which is rich and diverse in nature. These historical figures, although less popular than Elizabeth II, still had a profound impact on the political, social and cultural growth of the United Kingdom. The blend from Anne to Æthelred fighting with viking gives us a strong sense of British history and its rulers.
Their legacy and work tells us that the history of a nation is not established by famous people only, instead it is constructed by those individuals who worked selflessly but don’t get recognition. While telling the tales of British wild tycoons and country’s history, they bring us valuable insights for the better understanding of the states and how it progressed.