Summary of Scottish and English Monarchs And Key Events that Shaped the United Kingdom

Monarchs of the British Isles

This is an overview of the monarchs of the British Isles summarising the Scottish and English royal lineages, their reigns, significant events during their rule and the relationship between Scotland and England. ​

• House of Appin and Denmark Monarchs 

  • Kenneth III ruled from 997 to 1005 for 8 years.

  • Malcolm II reigned from 1005 to 1034 for 29 years.

  • Sweyn Forkbeard had a brief reign of 41 days in 1013-1014. ​

  • Aethelred the Unready ruled from 1014 to 1016 for 2 years and 81 days.

  • Edmund Ironside ruled for 222 days in 1016.

Scottish Monarchs and Their Challenges

The Scottish monarchs faced numerous challenges, including invasions and internal conflicts, shaping the history of Scotland.

• House of Dunkeld and Denmark Monarchs 

  • Duncan I ruled from 1034 to 1040 for 6 years and was killed by Macbeth. ​

  • Macbeth ruled from 1040 to 1057 for 17 years, later killed by Malcolm III. ​

  • Malcolm III (Canmore) ruled from 1058 to 1093 for 35 years.

  • Donald III ruled briefly in 1094 and again in 1097.

  • Edgar ruled from 1097 to 1107 for 10 years.

  • Alexander I ruled from 1107 to 1124 for 17 years.

Malcolm III wife was Margaret of Wessex and their daughter, Matilda became wife to Henry I of England, making Malcolm the great grandfather of King Henry II of England. Edgar and Alexander were Brothers-in-Law to Henry I of England. Alexander married the illegitimate daughter of Henry I. Alexander II who ruled from 1214-1249 married the daughter of King John (brother of Richard the Lionheart). This made Henry III of England his Brother in Law and via the Treaty of York in 1237 agreed the Scottish English border which is virtually unchanged today. Alexander III married Henry III daughter making him Brother in Law to Edward I known as Edward Longshanks, Hammer of the Scots!

English Monarchs and Their Dynasties

The English monarchs, particularly from the House of Normandy and Plantagenet, played crucial roles in shaping the political landscape of England and its relationship with Scotland.

• House of Normandy and Plantagenet Monarchs 

  • William I (the Conqueror) ruled from 1066 to 1087 for 20 years and 259 days. ​

  • William II (Rufus) ruled from 1087 to 1100 for 12 years and 311 days.

  • Henry I ruled from 1100 to 1135 for 35 years and 119 days.

  • Stephen ruled from 1135 to 1154 during a period of civil war known as the Anarchy. ​

  • Henry II ruled from 1154 to 1189 for 34 years and 200 days.

The Rise of the House of Stuart

The House of Stuart emerged as a significant dynasty in Scotland, leading to the eventual union of the crowns.

• House of Stuart Monarchs 

  • Robert II ruled from 1371 to 1390 for 19 years. ​

  • Robert III ruled from 1390 to 1406 for 16 years. ​

  • James I ruled from 1406 to 1437 for 31 years. ​

  • James II ruled from 1437 to 1460 for 23 years. ​

  • James III ruled from 1460 to 1488 for 28 years.

  • James IV ruled from 1488 to 1513 for 25 years. ​

Key Events and Treaties Impacting Scotland

Several key events and treaties significantly impacted Scotland's sovereignty and its relationship with England.

• Important Treaties and Events 

  • The Treaty of Falaise in 1174 established English dominion over Scotland. ​

  • The Quitclaim of Canterbury in 1189 restored Scottish sovereignty. ​

  • The Treaty of Edinburgh in 1560 established a Protestant church in Scotland. ​

  • The Treaty of Perpetual Peace in 1502 improved relations between Scotland and England. ​

The Impact of the Wars of Independence

The Wars of Independence were pivotal in establishing Scotland's sovereignty and shaping its national identity.

• Wars of Independence 

  • Robert the Bruce led the Scottish forces to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. ​

  • The Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 asserted Scotland's independence. ​

  • Edward I's invasions in the late 13th century sparked significant resistance from Scottish nobles.

  • William Wallace became a national hero for his role in the early resistance against English rule.

The Tudor Dynasty and Its Influence

The Tudor dynasty had a profound impact on both England and Scotland, particularly through marriage alliances and political maneuvers.

• Tudor Monarchs 

  • Henry VII ruled from 1485 to 1509, uniting the Lancastrian and Yorkist claims. ​

  • Henry VIII ruled from 1509 to 1547, known for his six marriages and the English Reformation. ​

  • Edward VI ruled briefly from 1547 to 1553, the first English monarch raised as a Protestant. ​

  • Mary I ruled from 1553 to 1558, known for her attempts to restore Catholicism.

  • Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to 1603, known for her long reign and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

The Union of the Crowns and the Stuart Dynasty

The Union of the Crowns marked the beginning of the Stuart dynasty's rule over England and Scotland, leading to significant political and cultural changes. ​

• James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603, uniting the crowns. ​

• The two parliaments remained separate until the Acts of Union in 1707.

• James I's reign saw the establishment of Jamestown in 1607 and Cuper’s Cove in 1610. ​

• He maintained peace with Spain and had a complex relationship with witchcraft.

• The Statutes of Iona in 1609 aimed to control clan chiefs and suppress Gaelic culture. ​

Charles I and His Conflicts with Parliament

Charles I's reign was characterized by his belief in the divine right of kings and conflicts with Parliament, leading to civil unrest.

• He ruled from 1625 to 1649 and married Henrietta Maria of France.

• Charles levied taxes without parliamentary consent, perceived as tyrannical. ​

• His religious policies led to the Bishops' Wars and strengthened parliamentary power. ​

• After his execution in 1649, England was ruled by Parliament for four years. ​

The Restoration of Charles II

Charles II's reign restored monarchy and was marked by political intrigue and significant events like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. ​

• He ruled from 1660 to 1685 and promised cooperation with Parliament. ​

• The Treaty of Dover in 1670 involved secret agreements with France regarding Catholicism.

• The Great Plague in 1665 caused up to 7,000 deaths per week.

• The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed 13,200 houses and St. Paul’s Cathedral. ​

The Reign of James II and the Glorious Revolution

James II's reign ended with the Glorious Revolution, establishing parliamentary sovereignty over the monarchy. ​

• He ruled from 1685 to 1688 and was the last Catholic monarch. ​

• His policies led to widespread unrest and anti-Catholic riots.

• James was ousted by William and Mary, marking a shift in power dynamics. ​

• The Glorious Revolution established the principle that sovereignty derived from Parliament. ​

The Acts of Union and the Formation of Great Britain

The Acts of Union in 1707 united England and Scotland into a single sovereign state, Great Britain. ​

• The Acts took effect on May 1, 1707, forming the Parliament of Great Britain. ​

• Scotland retained its own laws and the Presbyterian Church was guaranteed. ​

• The Act of Settlement 1701 ensured a Protestant succession. ​

• The union was supported for economic benefits and military security.

Jacobite Risings and Their Impact

The Jacobite Risings aimed to restore the Stuart dynasty, reflecting ongoing tensions between monarchy and parliamentary power. ​

• The 1715 rising was led by James Edward Stuart but ultimately failed. ​

• The 1745 rising, led by Charles Edward Stuart, captured Edinburgh but ended in defeat at Culloden in 1746. ​

• The Jacobite movements highlighted the conflict between divine right and parliamentary authority. ​

• Following the risings, measures were taken to integrate the Scottish Highlands into Great Britain.

The House of Hanover and Succession

The House of Hanover succeeded the Stuarts, continuing the monarchy with a focus on parliamentary governance.

• George I began his reign in 1714, followed by George II and George III.

• The Hanoverian succession was established to prevent Catholic claims to the throne. ​

• The monarchy faced challenges, including the American Revolution during George III's reign.

• The House of Hanover maintained a constitutional monarchy, emphasizing parliamentary sovereignty.

• House of Hanover ended with Queen Victoria whose reign ran from 20th June 1837 till 22nd January 1901 (63yrs 217days)

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (later to become Windsor)

This commenced with Edward VII through to the current sovereign King Charles III. He was preceded by the longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II who was on the throne from 6th February 1952 till 8th September 2022 (70yrs 215 days). The House changed its name to Windsor on 17th July 1917 due to anti German sentiment after the First World War. The name was inspired by the similarly named castle.