Even though the royalty in a monument nowadays doesn’t have too much actual power, I’m still fascinated by them. We covered all the rulers who’ve made up England’s rich history. Below is a list of the ones that stood out and some facts:
1. King John (1199-1216): Initiated Magna Carta
2. Henry III (1216-1272): The Beginnings of Parliament
3. Henry VIII (1509-1547): Separated Church of England from Catholic Church. Had six wives who included Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.
4. Edward VI: very protestant and distanced England farther away from Catholic Church
5. Queen Mary: Very catholic and killed those who wouldn’t convert to Catholicism. Had no children because of cancer.
6. Elizabeth I: Had a long reign and conquered Spain; she also never married.
7. Charles I: dismissed Parliament and started English civil war
8. Victoria: reigned during explosive period and was loved
a. Rights were declared of the monarchy that they have the right to be consulted, right to encourage, and right to warn.
9. George VI: introduced a more family oriented royal family, more down to earth then brother who was a Nazi sympathizer
10. Elizabeth II: Current Queen. Successors: Prince Charles of Wales, Prince William, Prince Harry
I think that the most influential rulers have been Henry the V and Elizabeth I. I think that Henry V was important, not only because of all of his wives (two of which he beheaded), but because he had created the Church of England so that he could divorce his first wife. Another fact that he is still influential is because the Simpsons humorously reenacted his reign. I think that Elizabeth I was important because she was able to show she could rule the country without a man and was able to conquer a powerful world force, Spain, to show that England was more than an island. Since I’m a fashion student, I find that I’m always interested in the royal garments and the outfits that they wore throughout the years. Now the monarchy doesn’t have as much say to what happens but they are an important part to the identity of England.
Great post Gabby! It is interesting how controversial Henry V and Elizabeth I were. Being a woman and knowing our long history of fighting for equality, I think it is so great to have a Queen running a country and showing that it is not just a man's job or world.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you Gabby. The two most memorable rulers for me are also Henry V and queen Elizabeth I probably because they where heavily mention in many of my history books. But I'd also add queen Victoria to the list of most influential rulers! I mean she has her own era (period know for industrial, political, scientific and military progress) plus an amazing musuem (V & A)- lets take that into consideration!!
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