In this gallery, we look at the history of the last five royal houses of Britain through their family trees. From the Wars of the Roses to the current House of Windsor, we see an evolution from absolute rule to a constitutional monarchy. The branches of these trees bore great fruits of achievement, but with murders, persecutions, and raging civil wars, they have also cast many sinister and lasting shadows upon the pages of British history.
Wars of the Roses (1455–1487): The Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, had a profound impact on the English monarchy. The conflict concluded with the ascension of Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, and marked the end of the medieval era.
Tudor Dynasty (1485–1603): The Tudor dynasty, established by Henry VII after his victory at the Battle of Bosworth, brought stability to England. Henry VIII's reign saw the English Reformation and significant changes in religious and political landscapes.
Stuart Dynasty (1603–1714): The Stuart period, beginning with James I, witnessed events like the Gunpowder Plot, the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. The monarchy was later restored with Charles II.
Hanoverian Dynasty (1714–1901): The Hanoverians, starting with George I, played a pivotal role in the development of constitutional monarchy. The Victorian era, under Queen Victoria, saw the British Empire reach its zenith.
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1901–1917): Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert, a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, led to a change in the royal house's name. Edward VII continued this line.
House of Windsor (1917–Present): In 1917, amid anti-German sentiments during World War I, King George V adopted the name Windsor, which persists to the present day. The House of Windsor has seen significant events, such as the abdication crisis of Edward VIII and the efforts to modernize the monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II.
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