Chapter King's Own to King-Maker of K by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Kings of England. Since the Conquest, not more than three successive sovereigns have reigned without a crisis—

William I., William II., Henry I.

Stephen usurper.

Henry II., Richard I., John.

The pope gives the crown to the dauphin.

Henry III., Edward I., Edward II.

Edward II. murdered.

Edward III., Richard II.

Richard II. deposed.

Henry IV., V., VI.

Lancaster changed to York.

Edward IV., V., Richard III.

Dynasty changed.

Henry VII., VIII., Edward VI.

Lady Jane Grey.

Mary, Elizabeth.

Dynasty changed.

James I., Charles I.

Charles I. beheaded.

Charles II., James II.

James II. dethroned.

William III., Anne.

Dynasty changed.

George I., II., III.

Regency.

George IV., William IV., Victoria (indirect successions).

Kings of England. Except in one instance (that of John), we have never had a great-grandchild sovereign in direct descent. The exception is not creditable, for in John’s reign the kingdom was given away twice; his son Henry III. was imprisoned by Leicester; and his great-grandson Edward II., was murdered. In two other instances a grandchild has succeeded, viz. Henry VI., whose reign was a continued civil war; and Edward VI., the sickly son of Jane Seymour. Stephen was a grandchild of William I., but a usurper; Richard