Questions
Why did the crown change hands?
23 successions, each with the family relationship, the mechanism that actually moved the crown, and the sources behind it.
monarch of England
- Why did Henry VII of England succeed Richard III of England?
Conquest, then confirmation by Parliament and marriage - Why did Henry VIII of England succeed Henry VII of England?
Inheritance - Why did Edward VI of England succeed Henry VIII of England?
Inheritance under the Third Succession Act and Henry VIII's will, with a regency - Why did Lady Jane Grey succeed Edward VI of England?
Designation by the dying king's 'Devise for the Succession' — contested from the first day - Why did Mary I succeed Lady Jane Grey?
Deposition of Jane; Mary's statutory right upheld with popular and noble support - Why did Mary I succeed Edward VI of England?
Inheritance under the Third Succession Act, after a contested nine days - Why did Elizabeth I of England succeed Mary I?
Inheritance under the Third Succession Act and Henry VIII's will - Why did James VI and I succeed Elizabeth I of England?
Inheritance by blood, secured by political preparation - Why did Charles I of England succeed James VI and I?
Inheritance - Why did Charles II of England succeed Charles I of England?
Execution of the king, abolition of the monarchy, then restoration by Parliament in 1660 - Why did James II of England succeed Charles II of England?
Inheritance, after failed attempts to exclude him - Why did William III of England succeed James II of England?
Deposition by invasion and parliamentary settlement; joint monarchy with Mary II - Why did Mary II of England succeed James II of England?
Deposition of her father; crown offered jointly to her and her husband - Why did Anne of Great Britain succeed William III of England?
Inheritance under the Bill of Rights order of succession - Why did William III of England succeed Mary II of England?
Continuation of the joint monarchy after Mary II's death, as the 1689 settlement provided - Why did Edward V of England succeed Edward IV of England?
Inheritance by a minor; a protectorate under his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester - Why did Richard III of England succeed Edward V of England?
Deposition: the young king's legitimacy was declared void and Parliament's petition (Titulus Regius) offered the crown to Richard
Monarch of Great Britain
monarch of Scotland
- Why did James V of Scotland succeed James IV of Scotland?
Inheritance, with a long regency after the king's death in battle - Why did Mary, Queen of Scots succeed James V of Scotland?
Inheritance as an infant, with regents governing - Why did James VI and I succeed Mary, Queen of Scots?
Forced abdication of the queen; infant king under successive regents - Why did Charles I of England succeed James VI and I?
Inheritance - Why did James IV of Scotland succeed James III of Scotland?
Rebellion: nobles rose against the king in the prince's name; James III was killed after the battle of Sauchieburn
How were they related?
- How were Elizabeth I of England and James VI and I related?
First cousins twice removed — through Margaret Tudor - How were Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England related?
First cousins once removed — through Henry VII - How were Henry VIII of England and Mary, Queen of Scots related?
Great-uncle and great-niece — through Margaret Tudor - How were Elizabeth I of England and Lady Jane Grey related?
First cousins once removed — through Henry VII - How were William III of England and Mary II of England related?
First cousins — and husband and wife — through Charles I - How were Anne of Great Britain and George I of Great Britain related?
Second cousins — through James VI and I - How were Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley related?
Half first cousins — through Margaret Tudor