With lands to conquer, rebellions to quash and finances to raise, ruling over medieval England was no mean feat. Some monarchs flourished, while others floundered. Here, we look back on seven kings whose leadership – whether good or bad – changed the course of English history…
Richard I
Despite being one of England's most iconic medieval kings, Richard I (r1189–99) spent only six months of his decade-long reign on English soil and may not have even spoken English. His energies were undoubtedly focused towards international war-mongering rather than affairs within England itself. Writing for History Extra, Andrew Gimson argues that Richard's “only use for England” was to raise money through taxes in order to wage war abroad.
