The monarchy has its roots in mystical ideas, leading back to ideals of divine kingship, and the stories and legends such as those of King Arthur.

The diagram at the right shows the monarchs in the period considered by Shakespeare. In the English tradition, kingship passes to the oldest male heir.

Edward III (1327-1377) had several sons, and on his death the kingship would normally have passed to his eldest son, the Black prince. However, the Black prince died before Edward III, and on Edward III's death the kingship passed to the Black Prince's son, Richard. Richard was only 12 years old when he became king. Power in the kingdon was effectively exercised by Richard's uncle, John of Gaunt.

Richard II's (1377-1399) own beliefs about the role of Kingship were close to that of a mystical king. But he was not skilled in politics and unable to handle the secular power of the barons. Through suspicion and fear, he confiscated the property of John of Gaunt, and exiled Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbrokke. When Richard II was on campaign in Ireland, Bollingbrooke took the opportunity to return to England, gathered the support of Barons, and claimed the crown as Henry IV (1399-1413). Richard was imprisoned and effectively murdered.

Bolingbrook's son, Henry V (1413-22), was regarded by Shakespeare as a heroic figure. Henry VI (1422-61) was to face claims about the legitimacy and authority of his rule from the House of York. This was the cause of 30 years of civil war, the War of The Roses.

The succession then becomes complicated. In 1460 Henry VI was pursuaded by Warwick and Richard Duke of York that his Lancastrian line should relinquish the crown on his death, and that the crown would pass to the Yorkist line. Prematurely, at a battle at St Albans in 1461, Edward IV (1461-83) defeated Henry and seized the crown. In 1470 Edward had a disagreement with Warwick, and Warwick restablished Henry VI. In 1471 Edward again deposed Henry. Edward died in 1483, and was succeeded by his young son, Edward V (1483). Edward was only 12 when he became king. He was imprisoned by Richard III (his uncle also a Yorkist), and murdered.

Richard III (1483-85). Richard III is defeated by Richmond, Henry Tudor, at Battle of Bosworth Field, and the throne is claimed back by the Lancastrian line.

Henry VII (1485-1509). Henry VII marries a Yorkist (daughter of Edward IV) healing the rift between the two families.

Henry VIII (1509-47). Henry's 1st wife Catherine of Aragon was Catholic and mother of Mary (Queen of Scots) who was mother of James I; Henry's 2nd wife Anne Bolyn was mother of Elizabeth.

Edward VI (1547-53)

Mary I (1553-58)

Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Elizabeth dies childless, and the throne reverts to the son of Mary, James.

James I (1603-25)