Edward I. Known as Longshanks, or the Hammer of the Scots, Edward was king for almost 35 years, beating his son Edward II’s 20 year reign. Edward IV reigned from 1461 to 1470 before being deposed, but made a comeback the following year and ruled until 1483. Thanks to his mother’s longevity Edward VII only ruled from 1901 to 1910.

Louis VIII. Known as ‘the lion’, Prince Louis was a capable soldier who arrived in England at the request of barons opposing John, and quickly secured control of much of the kingdom. However, John’s death led many supporters to desert him in favour of John’s nine-year-old son Henry. Louis’ troops were defeated, forcing him to withdraw his claim. He succeeded his father Philip II as king of France in 1223 but died of dysentery just three years later.

William. William Ætheling (or William Adelin) drowned in November 1120 when making the crossing from Barfleur to England in a vessel known as the ‘White Ship’. His death and Henry’s lack of other legitimate male heirs triggered the wars of succession fought between Stephen and Matilda. Learn more about the White Ship disaster

William I. Robert was the eldest son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. He fell out with his father (and brothers) spectacularly and a sequence of rebellions followed, interrupted only by Robert’s departure on crusade. On his return, he tried to oust his brother Henry but eventually ended up being captured, and dying as a prisoner at Cardiff castle.

David II. King of the Scots from 1329 until his death in 1371, he had spent some of his younger years in exile in France and in 1346, because of Scotland’s alliance with France, he invaded England. After capture he was kept a (reportedly comfortable) prisoner before finally being ransomed. Despite all these setbacks the rest of his reign saw a consolidation of his power and of royal finances. He was succeeded by 

32. On 22 August 1485, Richard’s forces faced Henry Tudor’s men during the battle of Bosworth. Richard’s army was twice the size of Henry’s but, as fighting began, it became clear he did not have the full loyalty of his army. Betrayed by Sir William Stanley, Richard made a brave final charge at Henry but was hacked to death. His body was stripped and taken to Leicester, where it was later buried in the Grey Friars priory.Learn more about his life and reign

James I of Scotland was assassinated. While an effective ruler, his behaviour alienated a lot of the nobility and he was murdered at Perth by conspirators led by his uncle, Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl. The murder was (infamously) made possible by the fact that the tunnel he hid from the killers in had recently been blocked off to prevent tennis balls getting lost.

Philip VI. Learn more about the Hundred Years’ War with these seven surprising facts, or test your knowledge of the Black Death with our history quiz.

1307. Here are 10 more medieval dates you need to know.

Henry II. Eleanor’s father was Henry’s fourth son. After her younger brother died she became heiress to huge amounts of land in France as well as having a strong claim to the throne. For this reason, Eleanor’s uncle John imprisoned her, as did his successor Henry III. Her captivity was comfortable, if not luxurious, and there is evidence to suggest that Henry III felt some guilt about it.