The Succession of Kings from William I to Henry II

Henry II was succeeded by his sons Richard I (1189-99) and John (1199-1216).
John was succeeded by his son Henry III (1216-72).

The Succession of Kings from Henry III to Henry IV

The following information may be useful as background for Shakespeare’s plays Richard II, Henry IV (parts 1 and 2), Henry V, and Richard III. Henry IV was succeeded by his son Henry V (1413-1422) and grandson Henry VI (1422-61 and 1470-71). The succession was disputed, and the ensuing conflict is known as the War of the Roses. Edward IV, the great-great-great grandson of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, ruled from 1461-70 and 1471-83. Before Edward’s son Edward V (one of the 'Princes in the Tower') could begin his reign in 1483 he was killed by his uncle, who became Richard III (1483-1485). The war finally came to an end when Richard was defeated by Henry Tudor, the great-great grandson of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford (Henry was thus distantly related to Chaucer). We may say that the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509) and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty roughly coincides with the end of the Middle Ages. 

The above genealogies are simplified. For a more complete family tree, see the one on the British monarchy web site.

Last Update: 21 January, 2003