Detail from Ripon Cathedral.
I still have the wooden ruler I was given as a child that lists all the rulers from 1066 onwards. I shall be buying a modern version to give to my middle grand-daughter as she is currently undertaking a project on the kings and queens. I’m sure it will come in useful.
What else might she need if she is to know all that needs to be known about our assorted monarchs? Well in addition to the royal family tree – I have two (one that’s been lurking in a cupboard since I left university and a second that came free with a newspaper), I’ll also be sending along a copy of the Kings and Queens of England & Scotland by Plantagenet Somerset Fry. There’s also a Ladybird book (come to think of it I think I may have had that once upon a time).
However, the reason for this post is the rather fun mnemonic rhyme to help remember the monarchs in order….
Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee,
Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three,
One-To-Three Neds, Richard Two,
Harrys Four-Five-Six… then who?
Edwards Four-Five, Dick the Bad,
Henrys seven and eight, Ned Six (the lad),
Mary, Bessie, James you ken,
Then Charlie, Charlie, James again…
Will & Mary, Anne of gloria,
Georges ( 4 ), Will Four, Victoria,
Edward Seven next, and then
Came George the Fifth in 1910…
Ned the Eighth soon abdicated,
So George Six was coronated,
Then Number Two Elizabeth…
And that’s all, folks (until her death…)!!
I’m a bit sad that the Empress Matilda doesn’t get a look in or the Young King – Henry was crowned king of England by his father Henry II while he was still very much alive. I suppose that would be rather complicating matters as indeed would Lady Jane Grey. To find out more about some of the monarchs click the tab marked “Rulers” at the top of the page.
I have also discovered that there’s a sentence to help remember the Royal Houses:
No Plan Like Yours To Study History Wisely!
Norman, Plantagenet, Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart, Hanover, Windsor
How brilliant is that? I’d love to find out if there are any more helpful historical memory devices.