Kingdom of England

:This article is about the historical state called the Kingdom of England (927-1707). For the main article about the modern country, see England.

History

:Main article: History of England

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The Kingdom of England has no specific founding date. The Kingdom can trace its origins to the Heptarchy, the rule of what would later become England by seven minor Kingdoms: East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Mercia, Northumbria, Sussex, and Wessex.

Related Topics:
Heptarchy - East Anglia - Essex - Kent - Mercia - Northumbria - Sussex - Wessex

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The Kings of Wessex became increasingly dominant over the other kingdoms of England during the 8th century, a process that would continue during the 9th century. Alfred the Great (reigned 871–899) was the first King of Wessex to style himself "King of England". His son Edward the Elder (reigned 899–924) exceeded the military achievements of his father by establishing his rule over the Danelaw. The death of his sister Ethelfleda in 918, resulted in him usurping the rule of Mercia from his niece Aelfwynn in 919. In 927 the last kingdom of early mediaeval England, Northumbria, fell to the King of Wessex Athelstan, a son of Edward the Elder. Athelstan was the first to reign over a united England. He was not the first de jure King of England, but certainly the first de facto one.

Related Topics:
Kings of Wessex - 8th century - 9th century - Alfred the Great - 871 - 899 - Edward the Elder - 924 - Danelaw - Ethelfleda - 918 - Aelfwynn - 919 - 927 - Athelstan - De jure - De facto

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England has remained in political unity ever since. However the Kingdom was subject to invasions by the Vikings of Denmark during the late 10th century. In response Ethelred II of England ordered the slaughter of all Danish people present in England during 1002. This only managed to attract the attention and hostility of Sweyn I of Denmark and Norway. Sweyn staged four full scale invasions of England for the remainder of his life. Sweyn was proclaimed King of England in opposition to Ethelred II in 1013. He died on February 2, 1014. His son Canute the Great continued the war. Ethelred II died on April 23, 1016. His son Edmund II of England was soon defeated by Canute. Canute agreed to co-rule with Edmund II but then later died on November 30 1016, leaving England united under Danish rule. Danish rule continued until the death of Harthacanute on June 8, 1042. He was a son of Canute and Emma of Normandy, widow of Ethelred II. Harthacanute had no heirs of his own and was succeeded by his half-brother Edward the Confessor. The Kingdom of England was independent again.

Related Topics:
Vikings - Denmark - 10th century - Ethelred II of England - Danish people - 1002 - Sweyn I of Denmark - Norway - 1013 - February 2 - 1014 - Canute the Great - April 23 - 1016 - Edmund II of England - November 30 - Harthacanute - June 8 - 1042 - Emma of Normandy - Widow - Edward the Confessor

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Peace only lasted until the death of childless Edward on January 4/January 5, 1066 . His brother-in-law was crowned Harold II of England. His cousin William the Bastard , Duke of Normandy immediately claimed the throne for himself. William launched an invasion of England and landed in Sussex on September 28, 1066. Harold II and his army were in York following their victory in the Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 25, 1066). They had to march across England to reach their new opponents. The armies of Harold II and William finally faced each other in the Battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066). Harold fell and William remained the victor. William was then able to conquer England with little further opposition. He was not however planning to absorb the Kingdom to the Duchy of Normandy. As a Duke, William still owed allegiance to Philip I of France. The independent Kingdom of England would allow him to rule without interference. He was crowned King of England on December 25, 1066.

Related Topics:
January 4 - January 5 - 1066 - Harold II of England - William the Bastard - Duke of Normandy - Sussex - September 28 - York - Battle of Stamford Bridge - September 25 - Battle of Hastings - October 14 - Duchy of Normandy - Philip I of France - December 25

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The Kingdom of England and the Duchy of Normandy would remain in personal union until 1204. King John of England, a fourth-generation descendant of William I, lost the continental area of the Duchy to Philip II of France during that year. The remnants of the Duchy remained in the rule of John and his descendants. They are known as the Channel Islands.

Related Topics:
1204 - John of England - Philip II of France - Channel Islands

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John still held both the titles and land of the Duke of Aquitaine. His grandson Edward I of England defeated Llywelyn the Last and effectively conquered Wales in 1282. He created the title Prince of Wales for his eldest son Edward II in 1301.

Related Topics:
Duke of Aquitaine - Edward I of England - Llywelyn the Last - Wales - 1282 - Prince of Wales - Edward II - 1301

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Edward II was father to Edward III of England, whose claim to the throne of France resulted in the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453). The end of the war found England defeated and retaining only a single city of France: Calais.

Related Topics:
Edward III of England - Claim to the throne of France - Hundred Years' War - 1337 - 1453 - Calais

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The Kingdom had little time to recover before entering the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487). The "Wars" was actually a civil war over possession of the throne between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. They were actually descendants of Edward III and closely related. The end of the wars found the throne held by a female line descendant of the House of Lancaster married to the eldest daughter of the House of York. Henry VII of England and his Queen consort Elizabeth of York were the founders of the Tudor dynasty which ruled the Kingdom from 1485 to 1603.

Related Topics:
Wars of the Roses - 1455 - 1487 - Civil war - House of Lancaster - House of York - Henry VII of England - Queen consort - Elizabeth of York - Tudor dynasty - 1485 - 1603

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Meanwhile Wales retained the same administrative system active in it since before the 13th century. The second Tudor monarch, Henry VIII of England, would change it with the Acts of Union 1536-1543. Wales was no longer a personal fiefdom of the King of England but annexed to England. The new area of the Kingdom was representated in the English Parliament.

Related Topics:
13th century - Henry VIII of England - Acts of Union 1536-1543 - Fiefdom - English Parliament

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During the reign of Mary I of England, eldest daughter of Henry VIII, Calais was captured by Francis, Duke of Guise on January 7, 1558. The House of Tudor ended with the death of its last monarch, Elizabeth I of England, on March 24, 1603. Her heir was James VI of Scotland who ascended the throne of England as James I. The two British Kingdoms remained independent states under under a personal union until 1707.

Related Topics:
Mary I of England - Henry VIII - Francis, Duke of Guise - January 7 - 1558 - Elizabeth I of England - March 24 - 1603 - James VI of Scotland - Personal union - 1707

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In 1707, the Act of Union merged both Kingdoms and created the Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1801). Queen Anne was the last Queen of England, and the first monarch of the new united kingdom. Both the English and Scottish Parliaments were merged into the Parliament of Great Britain located in Westminster, London. At this point, England no longer existed as a separate political entity and has since had no national government.

Related Topics:
1707 - Act of Union - Kingdom of Great Britain - 1801 - Queen Anne - Parliament - Parliament of Great Britain - Westminster - London - Government

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