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Rulers Timeline

Every English monarch from 1066 to the Restoration, and how each one left the throne.

Full, unbroken list of English monarchs (and Interregnum rulers) from 1066 onward. Amber rows have a direct, documented connection to Wallingford Castle; the rest are included for continuity only.

Date in PowerRulerReason for Leaving PostWallingford Link
1066–1087William I (the Conqueror)Died of illness following injuries from a fall from his horse.Direct link
1087–1100William IIKilled by an arrow in a hunting accident in the New Forest, in unclear circumstances.No link
1100–1135Henry IDied naturally of illness.No link
1135–1154King StephenDied naturally; had already agreed under the Treaty of Wallingford (1153) that Henry would succeed him.Direct link
1141 (claimant)Empress MatildaNever crowned; ceded her claim to her son Henry under the Treaty of Wallingford and withdrew to Normandy.Direct link
1154–1189Henry IIDied naturally, after a long and largely stable reign.Direct link
1189–1199Richard I (the Lionheart)Died of an infected crossbow wound sustained at the siege of Châlus-Chabrol in France.No link
1199–1216King JohnDied of illness (dysentery) in 1216, during the First Barons' War.Direct link
1216–1272Henry IIIDied naturally in old age.Direct link
1272–1307Edward IDied naturally while on campaign against Scotland.Direct link (imprisoned at Wallingford as Prince Edward, 1264)
1307–1327Edward IIDeposed by Parliament following the 1326 invasion; imprisoned, and died (likely murdered) in custody in 1327.Direct link
1327–1330 (de facto)Roger Mortimer, Earl of MarchOverthrown in Edward III's coup at Nottingham Castle (1330); arrested and executed at Tyburn.Direct link
1327–1377Edward IIIDied naturally in old age, having reclaimed personal power from Mortimer in 1330.Direct link
1377–1399Richard IIDeposed by Henry of Bolingbroke (Henry IV); died in captivity shortly after, likely starved or murdered.No link
1399–1413Henry IVDied naturally of illness.No link
1413–1422Henry VDied of dysentery while on campaign in France.No link
1422–1461 & 1470–1471Henry VIDeposed twice during the Wars of the Roses; murdered in the Tower of London in 1471.Direct link (tutored at Wallingford under Owen Tudor)
1461–1470 & 1471–1483Edward IVDied naturally of illness in 1483, having regained the throne during the Wars of the Roses.No link
1483Edward VDeposed within months by his uncle Richard III; disappeared, presumed murdered (one of the "Princes in the Tower").No link
1483–1485Richard IIIKilled in battle at Bosworth Field, ending Plantagenet rule.No link
1485–1509Henry VIIDied naturally, having founded the Tudor dynasty.No link
1509–1547Henry VIIIDied naturally, having inherited Wallingford Castle as a young prince in 1502 but shown little interest in it.Direct link
1547–1553Edward VIDied of illness (likely tuberculosis) as a teenager.No link
1553 (9 days)Lady Jane GreyDeposed almost immediately by Mary I; later executed.No link
1553–1558Mary IDied naturally, after ordering lead stripped from Wallingford Castle for use at Windsor.Direct link
1558–1603Elizabeth IDied naturally, ending the Tudor dynasty.No link
1603–1625James IDied naturally of illness.No link
1625–1649Charles IDeposed and executed by Parliament following the English Civil War.Direct link
1649–1653Commonwealth (no monarch)Interregnum governed by the Rump Parliament and Council of State; ended when Cromwell dissolved Parliament.No link
1653–1658Oliver Cromwell (Lord Protector)Died in office of natural causes; his Council of State had earlier ordered Wallingford Castle's demolition in 1652.Direct link
1658–1659Richard Cromwell (Lord Protector)Resigned amid political collapse, unable to hold the Protectorate together after his father's death.No link
1660–Charles IIRestored to the throne, ending the Interregnum (reign continued beyond this table's scope).No link