The Monarchy

The reining Royal Family, as far as the press and social media is concerned, is the Royal British Family who have recently seen a royal wedding and baby.

Queen Elizabeth II's high profile means we often forget that there are six other countries in Europe (or nine if you include the royal minnows, Monaco, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein) that are presided over by hereditary rulers who play an equally central role in their respective nation''s lives.

“A list of all ruling families of Europe encompassing Central Europe, England (Anglo-Saxons, Danes, Normans, Plantagenets, Lancastrians, Yorkists, Tudors, Hanoverians, Saxe-Coburgs, Windsors), France, the Holy Roman Empire, the papacy, Spain, Italy, the Low Countries, Russia, and Scandinavia.”

Most of the monarchies in Europe are constitutional monarchies, which means that the monarch does not influence the politics of the state: either the monarch is legally prohibited from doing so, or the monarch does not utilize the political powers vested in the office by convention.

This list of kings and queens of the Kingdom of England begins with Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, one of the petty kingdoms to rule a portion of modern England.

Explore the history of the British Monarchy.

The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The monarch's title is "King" (male) or "Queen" (female). The current monarch and head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended the throne on the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February 1952.

Historically, the crown sat upon your head mostly because you had the biggest army. When you died usually your eldest son kept control over that army and so the crown relocated to his head, though, of course, someone with a bigger army could change the political landscape quite abruptly.

International recognition of French creativity in the arts, literature, and science formed an integral part of Louis XIV's strategy to dominate European culture. Recognizing that political power lay in cultural superiority, and assisted by his minister, Colbert (Controller General of the Finances, 1662-1683), Louis XIV (1643-1715) initiated an all-encompassing cultural program designed to glorify the monarchy in his person.

The Royal Family from 1066 until today.

Tabloid fodder for the ages, mad monarchs have been the focal point of fascination, and controversy for as long as there have been human rulers.

The Association is open to worthy non nobles individuals who support the ideals of Chivalry and Nobility.

William Doyle discusses traditional and revisionist interpretations of the downfall of the Kings of France, arguing that notions of a 'desacralised monarchy' are inadequate to explain what happened.

If Henry VII's reign was to usher in 'smooth-faced peace, with smiling plenty, and fair prosperous days', few could have predicted it in 1485.

Find out about six young rulers whose actions and decisions had very grown-up consequences.

On the 221st anniversary of King Louis XVI's execution, we take a more intimate look at him and his wife Marie Antoinette - the good, the bad, and the naughty.