Rulers of Britain

12" Wooden Ruler made in U.S.A. of American-grown basswood.

This is a complete list of all Kings of England, starting with Egbert (or “Ecgbert”) of Wessex, who was the first monarch to unify the Angles and Saxons and control all of England south of the Humber, and ending with the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

The date listed is the first year of their reign. Note that Henry VI and Edward IV are both listed twice. This is not a mistake. Henry first became king in 1422, but was deposed by Edward in 1461 during the War of the Roses. Henry was restored to the throne in 1470, but only a year later Edward retook power and Henry died the same year in the Tower of London.

England and Wales were ruled from 1625-1649 as a republic, after King Charles I was executed in 1625. This “kingless” period is indicated on the ruler as the Commonwealth.

The future of the English monarchy is not in doubt, with four children, eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and other family members in line to succeed the current Queen Elizabeth.

The “head” image is that of the infamous Henry VIII, who caused the separation of the Church of England from the catholic church in Rome, who dissolved the monasteries, and who famously had six wives. Our illustration is based on a lost portrait of Henry by Hans Holbein, destroyed by fire in 1698 but still well-known through many copies.