The Long and Curious History of the Name Edward in British Monarchies
Throughout British history, the name Edward has been borne by a total of eight monarchs since the Norman invasion of 1066. However, the list gets more selective when considering only kings who ruled as part of the United Kingdom in the 1800s and beyond. This article explores the fascinating journey of the name Edward through the annals of British monarchy.
Charting the Eight Edward Monarchs
From Edward the Elder to Edward Duke of Windsor (also known as King Edward VIII), the name has been closely associated with British royalty. Each ruler had a unique story and impact on the realm, making them stand out among the annals of history.
Edward I to Edward VIII: A Timeline
The list of Edward monarchs comprises various reigns spread over several centuries. Let us delve into each of these historic figures:
Edward I
Born: 17/18 June 1239
Died: 7 July 1307
Reign: 20 November 1272 - 7 July 1307
Parents: Henry III of England Eleanor of Provence
Spouse: Eleanor of Castile (m. 1254), Margaret of France (m. 1299)
Predecessor: Henry III
Successor: Edward II
Edward II
Born: 25 April 1284
Died: 21 September 1327
Reign: 7 July 1307 - 13/25 January 1327
Parents: Edward I of England Eleanor of Castile
Spouse: Isabella of France
Predecessor: Edward I
Successor: Edward III
Edward III
Born: 13 November 1312
Died: 21 June 1377
Reign: 25 January 1327 - 21 June 1377
Parents: Edward II of England Isabella of France
Spouse: Philippa of Hainault
Predecessor: Edward II
Successor: Richard II
Edward IV
Born: 28 April 1442
Died: 9 April 1483
Reign: 1st: 4 March 1461 - 3 October 1470, 2nd: 2 April 1471 - 9 April 1483
Parents: Edward I of England Eleanor of Castile
Spouse: Elizabeth Woodville (m. 1464)
Predecessor: Henry VI
Successor: Edward V
Edward V
Born: 2 November 1470
Died: Mid 1483
Reign: 9 April - 28 June 1483
Parents: Edward IV of England Elizabeth Woodville
Predecessor: Edward IV
Successor: Richard III
Edward VI
Born: 12 October 1537
Died: 6 July 1553
Reign: 28 January - 6 July 1553
Parents: Henry VIII of England Jane Seymour
Predecessor: Henry VIII
Successor: Mary I
Edward VII
Born: 9 November 1841
Died: 6 May 1910
Reign: 22 January 1901 - 6 May 1910
Parents: Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Victoria of the United Kingdom
Spouse: Alexandra of Denmark (m. 1863)
Predecessor: Victoria
Successor: George V
Edward VIII
Born: 23 June 1894
Died: 28 May 1972
Reign: 20 January - 11 December 1936
Parents: George V Mary of Teck
Spouse: Wallis Simpson (m. 1937)
Predecessor: George V
Successor: George VI
Edward Monarchs in the UK Since 1800
When considering only those who ruled the United Kingdom from 1800 onwards, the list is considerably shorter. Arguably, the most significant rulers with the name Edward are:
Edward VII and Edward VIII
Edward VII reigned 1901-1910, and although he did not have the longest reign, his reign marked a significant period of British history. In stark contrast, Edward VIII only reigned for a little over a year, making his regnal year of 1936 particularly notable for the transition from King George V to King George VI.
Conclusion
From ancient times to the modern era, the name Edward has been deeply entwined with the history and legacy of British royalty. Each iteration of a king with this name brought unique challenges and opportunities, shaping the course of British history in different ways.