Questions
Why did the crown change hands?
22 successions, each with the family relationship, the mechanism that actually moved the crown, and the sources behind it. Each crown is listed in order.
Monarch of England
- 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 - 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 Edward VI of England?
Inheritance under the Third Succession Act, after a contested nine days - Why did Mary I succeed Lady Jane Grey?
Deposition of Jane; Mary's statutory right upheld with popular and noble support - 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 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 Anne of Great Britain succeed William III of England?
Inheritance under the Bill of Rights order of succession
Monarch of Scotland
- 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 - 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
Monarch of Great Britain
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