History of the English line of succession

In its 600-year history since William I claimed the English throne, succession has been determined by
bequest, battle, primogeniture, and parliament.

Contents
William I
William II
Henry I
Stephen
Henry II
Richard I
John
Henry III
Edward I
Edward II
Edward III
Richard II
Henry IV
Henry V
Henry VI (first instance)
Edward IV (first instance)
Henry VI (second instance)
Edward IV (second instance)
Edward V
Richard III
Henry VII
Henry VIII
Edward VI
Mary I
Elizabeth I
James I
Charles I
Charles II
James II
William III & Mary II
 William III
References
Further reading

William I
On his deathbed, William the Conqueror accorded the Duchy of Normandy to his eldest son Robert
Curthose, the Kingdom of England to his son William Rufus, and money for his youngest son Henry
Beauclerc for him to buy land. Thus, with William I's death on 9 September 1087, the heir to the throne
was:

1. William Rufus (b. 1056), son of William I

William II
William II had no children. He and his elder brother Robert previously agreed to be each others' heir.
However, on his death, on 2 August 1100, Robert was away on crusade. Their younger brother, Henry
Beauclerc, had the nobility elect him as king. Henry later warred with Robert and by treaty was
recognized as king.

Henry I
The succession to Henry I was altered by the death of his son, William Adelin. Left without male heirs,
Henry took the unprecedented step of making his barons swear to accept his daughter Empress Matilda,
widow of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, as his heir. However, the throne was usurped by Henry's
nephew Stephen of Blois (the third son of Adela of Normandy) who claimed that Henry changed his
mind on his deathbed. With the support of the barons he became King Stephen.

Stephen
The succession to Stephen was altered by the death of his son
Eustace, whom he wished to have crowned king during his own
lifetime (in imitation of the Capetian monarchy). Though Stephen
still had a son, William, the boy was still young and unprepared
to challenge Henry of Anjou, the son of his cousin Matilda, for
the throne.

By the Treaty of Wallingford, Stephen agreed to make Henry his

successor. Thus, on the day of Stephen's death, 25 October 1154,
Henry became King Henry II.
An artist's impression of the
negotiation for the throne of England
Henry II between Stephen of Blois and Henry
of Anjou during the Anarchy which
The succession to Henry II was altered by the death of his son, was resolved by the Treaty of
Henry the Young King, who was crowned king while his father Wallingford in 1153.
still lived. Henry II had wished to divide his lands among his
children upon his death, but was forced to sign the unfavorable treaty of Azay-le-Rideau on 4 July 1189
(two days before his death) with the king of France and his rebellious sons, by which he recognized his
eldest son Richard as sole heir.

On the day of Henry II's death, 6 July 1189, the throne passed smoothly to his eldest living son: Richard
I.

Richard I
Richard had no legitimate children. On the day of his death, 6 April 1199, if the line of succession to the
English throne had followed primogeniture, he would have been succeeded by his nephew Arthur I, Duke
of Brittany (b. 1187), son of Richard I's brother Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany. However, since Arthur had
sided with Philip II of France, Richard's enemy, Richard named his younger brother John as his heir, and
he became king.

John
John died, on 19 October 1216, in the midst of conflict against his barons; most of them had already
recognized Prince Louis of France as king. However, with John's death, his barons saw his young son as
a safer option. John's eldest son became Henry III, and the French were driven away from the country.

Henry III
On Henry III's death, on 16 November 1272, the throne passed to his eldest son, Edward I.

Edward I
On Edward I's death, on 7 July 1307, the throne passed to his eldest surviving son, Edward II.

Edward II
On the day of Edward II's abdication, 25 January 1327, the throne passed to his eldest son, Edward III.

Edward III
The succession to Edward III was governed according to his entail to the crown in 1376.[1] On his death,
on 21 June 1377, the line of succession to the English throne was:

1. Richard of Bordeaux (b. 1367), son of Edward III's son Edward, the Black Prince (b. 1330)
2. John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (b. 1340), son of Edward III
3. Henry Bolingbroke (b. 1367), son of John, Duke of Lancaster
4. Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York (b. 1341), son of Edward III
5. Edward of Norwich (b. 1373), son of Edmund, Duke of York
6. Richard of Conisburgh (b. 1375), son of Edmund, Duke of York
7. Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester (b. 1355), son of Edward III
The throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Richard II.

Richard II
On the day of Richard II's abdication, 29 September 1399, the line of succession to the English throne
was as follows (following primogeniture, according to Richard II's entail in 1399):

1. Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March (b. 1391), son of Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March
and great-great-grandson of Edward III through Philippa, 5th Countess of Ulster
2. Roger Mortimer (b. 1393), son of Roger
Anne de Mortimer (b. 1390), daughter of Roger
Eleanor de Mortimer (b. 1395), daughter of Roger
3. Edmund Mortimer (b. 1376), brother of Roger and great-grandson of Edward III
Elizabeth Mortimer (b. 1371), sister of Roger and great-granddaughter of Edward III
4. Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland (b. 1393/1394), son of Elizabeth
Elizabeth Percy (b. circa 1395), daughter of Elizabeth
Philippa Mortimer (b. 1375), sister of Roger and great-granddaughter of Edward III
5. Henry Bolingbroke (b. 1367), son of John, 1st Duke of Lancaster
However, upon Richard's abdication the throne was taken by Henry Bolingbroke as Henry IV.

Henry IV
Henry had justified his usurpation by emphasizing his descent in the male line. Thus, the Lancastrian line
of succession is agnatic, similar to the French succession.

On the day of Henry IV's death, 20 March 1413, the line of succession to the English throne following
agnatic primogeniture was:

1. Henry of Monmouth, Prince of Wales (b. 1387), son of Henry IV

2. Thomas, Duke of Clarence (b. 1388), son of Henry IV
3. John, Duke of Bedford (b. 1389), son of Henry IV
4. Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1390), son of Henry IV
5. Edward, Duke of York (b. 1373), son of Edmund, 1st Duke of York
6. Richard, Earl of Cambridge (b. 1375), son of Edmund, 1st Duke of York
7. Richard Plantagenet (b. 1411), son of Richard, Earl of Cambridge
Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry V.

Henry V
On the day of Henry V's death, 31 August 1422, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture
was:

1. Henry, Duke of Cornwall (b. 1421), son of Henry V

2. John, Duke of Bedford (b. 1389), brother of Henry V
3. Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1390), brother of Henry V
4. Richard, Duke of York (b. 1411), son of Richard, Earl of Cambridge
Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry VI.

Henry VI (first instance)

On the day of Henry VI's first deposition, 4 March 1461, the line of succession following agnatic
primogeniture was;

1. Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales (b. 1453), son of Henry VI

2. Edward, Duke of York (b. 1442), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
3. George Plantagenet (b. 1449), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
4. Richard Plantagenet (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
However, during the Wars of the Roses, Henry VI was forcibly deposed by his third cousin twice
removed, Edward, Duke of York, who became Edward IV.

Edward IV (first instance)

On the day of Edward IV's deposition, 3 October 1470, the line of succession following male-preference
primogeniture was;

1. George, Duke of Clarence (b. 1449), brother of Edward IV

2. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452), brother of Edward IV
3. Anne of York (b. 1439), sister of Edward IV
4. Elizabeth of York, Duchess of Suffolk (b. 1444), sister of Edward IV
5. John de la Pole, 1st Earl of Lincoln (b. 1462), son of Elizabeth, Duchess of Suffolk
6. Edward de la Pole (b. 1466), son of Elizabeth, Duchess of Suffolk
7. Elizabeth de la Pole (born c. 1468), daughter of Elizabeth, Duchess of Suffolk
8. Margaret of York (b. 1446), sister of Edward IV
However, Edward IV was deposed, and the throne was restored to Henry VI, the previous monarch,
during the period known as the Readeption of Henry VI.

Henry VI (second instance)

On the day of Henry VI's second deposition, 11 April 1471, the line of succession following agnatic
primogeniture was:

1. Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales (b. 1453), son of Henry VI

Edward IV and his descendants were removed from the Lancastrian succession due to an
attainder
Edward Plantagenet (b. 1442), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
Edward Plantagenet (b. 1470), son of Edward Plantagenet
2. George, Duke of Clarence (b. 1449), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
Prince Richard of Gloucester was also removed from the succession as he had fled with his
brother Edward
Richard Plantagenet (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
However, the English nobility again became frustrated with Henry's inability to rule competently, and
reinstalled Edward IV as king after less than a year.

Edward IV (second instance)

On the day of Edward IV's death, 9 April 1483, the line of succession following male-preference
primogeniture was:

1. Edward, Prince of Wales (b. 1470), son of Edward IV

2. Richard, Duke of York (b. 1473), son of Edward IV
Prince George of Clarence's son Edward was debarred from the succession due to his
father's attainder
3. Elizabeth of York (b. 1466)
4. Mary of York (b. 1467), daughter of Edward IV
5. Cecily of York (b. 1469), daughter of Edward IV
6. Anne of York (b. 1475), daughter of Edward IV
7. Catherine of York (b. 1479), daughter of Edward IV
8. Bridget of York (b. 1480), daughter of Edward IV
Edward Plantagenet (b. 1475), son of George, Duke of Clarence
9. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
10. Edward of Middleham (b. 1473), son of Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Edward V.

Edward V
On the day of Edward V's deposition, 25 June 1483, the line of succession following male-preference
primogeniture was:

1. Richard, Duke of York (b. 1473), son of Edward IV

Prince George of Clarence's son Edward was debarred from the succession due to his
father's attainder. This was confirmed by Parliament following the King's deposition
2. Mary of York (b. 1467), daughter of Edward IV
3. Cecily of York (b. 1469), daughter of Edward IV
4. Anne of York (b. 1475), daughter of Edward IV
5. Catherine of York (b. 1479), daughter of Edward IV
6. Bridget of York (b. 1480), daughter of Edward IV
Edward Plantagenet (b. 1475), son of George, Duke of Clarence
7. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452), son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
8. Edward of Middleham (b. 1473), son of Richard, Duke of Gloucester
The throne was usurped by Edward V's uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who claimed that Edward V
(and all his siblings) were illegitimate and therefore could not ascend the throne. Gloucester, as the
following heir through primogeniture, became Richard III.

Richard III
Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was succeeded by the victor of the battle,
Henry Tudor, 2nd Earl of Richmond, a descendant in a legitimated line of John of Gaunt. He became
Henry VII. He also buffered his claim by marrying Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, his heir by
male-preference primogeniture upon the deaths of her brothers.

Henry VII
On the day of Henry VII's death, 21 April 1509, the throne passed to his oldest living son, Henry VIII.

Henry VIII
On the day of Henry VIII's death, 28 January 1547, the line of succession was governed by the Third
Succession Act:

1. Prince Edward (b. 1537), only legitimate son of Henry VIII

2. Lady Mary (b. 1516), elder daughter of Henry VIII
3. Lady Elizabeth (b. 1533), younger daughter of Henry VIII

Descendants of Henry's elder sister Margaret, Queen of Scots who would have been
next in line were excluded by Henry's will:

Mary, Queen of Scots (b. 1542), Margaret's granddaughter through James V of Scotland
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox (b. 1515), Margaret's daughter by Lord Angus
Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (b. 1545), Lady Lennox's son.

Frances Grey, daughter of Henry's younger sister Mary Tudor, was excluded by
Henry's will, but her heirs of the body were included.

4. Lady Jane Grey (b. 1536/7), Frances Grey's eldest daughter (later briefly queen regnant)
5. Lady Catherine Grey (b. 1540), Frances Grey's second daughter
6. Lady Mary Grey (b. 1545), Frances Grey's third daughter

Eleanor Clifford, Countess of Cumberland (b. 1519), Frances Grey's sister was also
excluded by Henry's will, but not her heirs of the body:

7. Lady Margaret Clifford (b. 1540), Eleanor Clifford's daughter

Upon Henry's death, the throne passed to Henry's son, who became Edward VI.

Edward VI
On the day of Edward VI's death, 6 July 1553, the line of succession to the English throne was as follows
according to the will of Henry VIII, which excluded the descendants of his elder sister, Margaret, Queen
of Scotland (note: Henry VIII's will was signed with a dry stamp rather than his hand, a technicality that
eventually allowed the Stuarts to succeed):

1. Lady Mary (b. 1516), first daughter of Henry VIII

2. Lady Elizabeth (b. 1533), second daughter of Henry VIII
3. Lady Jane Dudley (b. 1536/7), Frances Brandon's eldest daughter
4. Lady Catherine Grey (b. 1540), Frances Brandon's second daughter
5. Lady Mary Grey (b. 1545), Frances Brandon's third daughter
6. Lady Margaret Clifford (b. 1540), daughter of Frances Brandon's sister, Eleanor, Countess
of Cumberland
Edward VI left a Device for the Succession, in an attempt to remove the peculiarity of his sisters'
illegitimacy and rights of succession. The validity of the device was challenged after his death. In
Edward's Device,

Henry VIII's two illegitimate (by the Third Succession Act) daughters were excluded:
 Lady Mary (b. 1516), first daughter of Henry VIII
Lady Elizabeth (b. 1533), second daughter of Henry VIII
Descendants of Henry's elder sister Margaret, Queen of Scots were excluded by Henry's
will:
Mary, Queen of Scots (b. 1542), her granddaughter through James V of Scotland
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox (b. 1515), Margaret's daughter by Lord Angus
Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (b. 1545), Lady Lennox's son
Following his father's will, Edward left out his cousins, Frances Grey and Eleanor Clifford
Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk (b. 1517), daughter of Henry's sister Mary

1. Lady Jane Dudley (b. 1536/7), Frances Brandon's eldest daughter

2. Lady Catherine Grey (b. 1540), Frances Brandon's second daughter
3. Lady Mary Grey (b. 1545), Frances Brandon's third daughter
4. Lady Margaret Clifford (b. 1540), daughter of Frances Brandon's sister, Eleanor Clifford,
Countess of Cumberland
Upon his death, the first person in line per Edward's Device was proclaimed Queen Jane. Within days,
Lady Mary claimed the throne as Mary I.

Mary I
On the day of Mary I's death, 17 November 1558, the throne passed to her half-sister, who became
Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth I
On the day of Elizabeth I's death, 24 March 1603, Elizabeth's potential heirs were from the lines of her
father's two sisters:

Descendants of Henry VIII's elder sister, Margaret, Queen of Scots, were excluded by
Henry's Will:
James VI of Scotland (b. 1566), her great-grandson through Mary, Queen of Scots
Prince Henry Frederick, Duke of Rothesay (b. 1594), his first son
Prince Charles, Duke of Albany (b. 1600), his second son
Princess Elizabeth (b. 1596), his daughter
Lady Arbella Stuart (b. 1575), great-granddaughter of Margaret Tudor, through
Margaret Douglas and Charles Stuart, Earl of Lennox

Descendants of Henry VIII's younger sister, Mary, Duchess of Suffolk, were junior in terms
of primogeniture, but were placed as heirs after Henry VIII's own descendants.
Descendants through Lady Catherine Grey, Mary's granddaughter, and were not
considered legitimate at the time:
Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp (b. 1561), great-grandson of Mary Tudor
The Hon Edward Seymour (b. 1586), Lord Beauchamp's first son
The Hon William Seymour (b. 1588), Lord Beauchamp's second son
The Hon Francis Seymour (b. c. 1590), Lord Beauchamp's third son
The Hon Honora Seymour (b. b. 1594), Lord Beauchamp's first daughter
The Hon Anne Seymour, Lord Beauchamp's second daughter
 The Hon Mary Seymour, Lord Beauchamp's third daughter
The Hon Thomas Seymour (b. 1563), Lord Beauchamp's younger brother

1. Lady Anne Stanley (b. 1580), great-great-granddaughter of Mary Tudor

2. Lady Frances Egerton (b. 1583), Lady Anne's sister
3. Lady Elizabeth Hastings (b. 1587), Lady Anne's sister
4. William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby (b. 1561), Lady Anne's uncle
Upon her death, the throne passed to King James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England.

James I
On the day of James I's death, 27 March 1625, the line of succession to the English throne was:

1. Charles, Prince of Wales (b. 1600) James I's son

2. Elizabeth of Bohemia (b. 1596) James I's daughter
3. Prince Frederick Henry von der Pfalz (b. 1614) Elizabeth's first son
4. Prince Charles Louis von der Pfalz (b. 1617) Elizabeth's second son
5. Prince Rupert von der Pfalz (b. 1619) Elizabeth's third son
6. Prince Maurice von der Pfalz (b. 1620) Elizabeth's fourth son
7. Princess Elisabeth von der Pfalz (b. 1618) Elizabeth's first daughter
8. Princess Louise von der Pfalz (b. 1622) Elizabeth's second daughter
9. William Seymour, Lord Beauchamp (b. 1588) James I's third cousin, twice removed via
James' great-great-grandfather Henry VII
10. William Seymour (b. 1621) William's eldest son
Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Charles I.

Charles I
When Charles I was beheaded on 30 January 1649 the line of succession to the English and Scottish
thrones was:

1. Charles, Prince of Wales (b. 1630) Charles I's 1st son

2. Prince James, Duke of York (b. 1633) Charles I's 2nd son
3. Prince Henry (b. 1639) Charles I's 3rd son
4. Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (b. 1631) Charles I's 1st daughter
5. Princess Elizabeth of England (b. 1635) Charles I's 2nd daughter
6. Princess Henrietta Anne of England (b. 1644) Charles I's 3rd daughter
7. Elizabeth of Bohemia (b. 1596) Charles I's sister
8. Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine (b. 1617) Elizabeth of Bohemia's 2nd son
9. Prince Rupert of the Rhine (b. 1619) Elizabeth of Bohemia's 3rd son
10. Prince Maurice von Simmern (b. 1620) Elizabeth of Bohemia's 4th son
However, the monarchy in England was abolished and Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector. After
Cromwell's death, the monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles I's eldest son, Charles II.

Charles II
On the day of Charles II death, 6 February 1685, the line of succession to the English and Scottish
thrones was:

1. Prince James, Duke of York, (b. 1633) Charles II's brother

2. Princess Mary of Orange, (b. 1662) Prince James's 1st daughter
3. Princess Anne of Denmark and Norway, (b. 1665) Prince James's 2nd daughter
4. Prince William of Orange, (b. 1650) Charles II's nephew via Mary, Princess Royal and
Princess of Orange
5. Maria Luisa of Orléans, Queen of Spain (b. 1662) Charles II's niece via Henrietta Anne
Stuart
6. Anne Marie of Orléans, Duchess of Savoy (b. 1669) Maria Luisa's sister
7. Charles II, Elector Palatine (b. 1651) Charles II's cousin once removed via aunt Elizabeth of
Bohemia
8. Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orleans (b. 1652) sister of Charles II Elector Palatine
9. Philippe, Duke of Chartres (b. 1674) Elisabeth Charlotte's son
10. Princess Elisabeth Charlotte of Orleans (b. 1676) Elisabeth Charlotte's daughter
On his death, the throne passed to the first in line, who became James II.

James II
On the day that James II fled the country, 11 December 1688, the line of succession to the English and
Scottish thrones was:

1. James, Prince of Wales (b. 1688) James II's son

2. Mary, Princess of Orange (b. 1662) James II's 1st daughter
3. Princess Anne of Denmark and Norway (b. 1665) James II's 2nd daughter
4. William III, Prince of Orange (b. 1650) James II's nephew via sister Mary, Princess Royal
and Princess of Orange
5. Maria Luisa, Queen of Spain (b. 1662) James II's niece via sister Henrietta Anne Stuart
6. Anne Marie, Duchess of Savoy (b. 1669) Maria Luisa's sister
7. Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy (b. 1685) Anne Marie's 1st daughter
8. Princess Marie Anne of Orléans (b. 1687) Anne Marie's 2nd daughter
9. Maria Luisa of Savoy (b. 1688) Anne Marie's 3rd daughter
10. Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orleans (b. 1652), James II's 1st cousin once removed via
aunt Elizabeth of Bohemia
Parliament offered the throne jointly to James II's elder daughter, who became Mary II, and her husband
and first cousin, William III.

William III & Mary II

The Bill of Rights 1689 established that, whichever of the joint monarchs, William III and Mary II, died
first, the other would reign alone. As Mary II died first, on 28 December 1694, William III became sole
remaining monarch. On the day of Mary's death, the line of succession to the English and Scottish
thrones was:

1. Princess Anne of Denmark (b. 1665) Mary II's sister

2. Prince William of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1689) Anne's only surviving
child
William III
On the day of William III's death, 8 March 1702, the line of succession to the English throne was
determined by the Act of Settlement 1701:

1. Princess Anne of Denmark (b. 1665), sister of the king's late wife and daughter of James II
2. Sophia, Electress of Hanover (b. 1630), Anne's first cousin once removed
3. George Louis, Elector of Hanover (b. 1660), first son of Electress Sophia
4. George Augustus, Electoral Prince of Hanover (b. 1683), son of the Elector of Hanover
5. Princess Sophia Dorothea of Hanover (b. 1687), daughter of the Elector
6. Prince Maximilian Wilhelm of Hanover (b. 1666), second son of Electress Sophia
7. Prince Christian Henry of Hanover (b. 1671), third surviving son of Electress Sophia
8. Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover (b. 1674), fourth surviving son of Electress Sophia
9. Sophia, Queen in Prussia (b. 1668), daughter of Electress Sophia
10. Frederick William, Crown Prince of Prussia (b. 1688), son of Queen Sophia Charlotte
The line of succession to the Scottish throne was governed by the Claim of Right Act 1689:

1. Princess Anne of Denmark (b. 1665), sister of the king's late wife
Upon his death, the throne passed to the first person in line, who became Queen Anne.

The succession continued with the monarchs of Great Britain.

References
1. Given-Wilson, Chris (2004). Alfonso Antón, Isabel (ed.). Building Legitimacy: Political
Discourses and Forms of Legitimacy in Medieval Societies. Boston, MA: Brill. p. 90.
ISBN 90-04-13305-4.

Further reading
Iola Price Ahl (1970), Opposing Theories of Succession to the English Throne, 1681-1714
Howard Nenner (1995), The Right to be King: the succession to the Crown of England,
1603-1714, University of North Carolina Press, ISBN 9780807822470
Jason L. Craig (1998), A Historiographical Look at the Succession to the English Throne
George Garnett (2007), Conquered England: Kingship, Succession, and Tenure 1066-1166,
Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0198207931

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