List of Rulers: Europe

Doorway from Moutiers-Saint-Jean [French]

Scenes from the Passion of Saint Vincent of Saragossa and the History of His Relic [French]

Girolamo della Robbia: Bust of Frances I

Jean Duvet: Henri II Between France and Fame

Air: Louis XIV as Jupiter, from a set of eight wall hangings depicting the Elements and the Seasons [French]

Honoré-Victorin Daumier: Le Passé–Le Présent–L'Avenir (Past, Present, Future)

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux: Bust of Napoleon III

Plaque with Otto I presenting the Cathedral of Magdeburg [Ottonian]

Relief Allegory of Virtues and Vices at the Court of Emperor Charles V [German]

Portrait Medals: Empress Maria and Emperor Maximillian II [Italian]

Aegidius Sadeler: Portrait of Rudolph II

After Alessandro Algardi: Pope Innocent X, Giovanni Battista Pamphilj

Melchiore Caffa: Pope Alexander VII, Fabio Chigi

Workshop of Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez: Philip IV, King of Spain

Jean-Baptiste Nini: Catherine II, Empress of Russia

A Note on the Abridged List of Rulers

The list that follows is meant as a complement to the Timeline of Art History, not as a comprehensive historical reference. It presents a simplified picture of dynastic succession in a small number of large European principalities. The names of numerous princes who ruled smaller states are not to be found here, nor are the names of many pretenders, regents, and fully legitimate monarchs whose reigns were short or ambitions otherwise stifled. The abridged list includes above all those kings and queens whose rule affected the arts of Europe in important ways and whose names are most commonly raised in art historical discussion.

Central Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Lichtenstein, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Switzerland)
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
France
Holy Roman Empire
Papacy
Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal)
Italian Peninsula
Low Countries (Belgium, The Netherlands)
Russia
Scandinavia (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden)

Central Europe

Holy Roman Empire (see below for a list of emperors)		962–1806


Wettin Electors of Saxony		1423–1806

Wittelsbach Electors of Bavaria		1623–1806

Hohenzollern Electors of Brandenburg		1415–1701


Poland

Elected kings		1572–1795
	Zygmunt III Wasa (Sigismund III Vasa)	1587–1632
	Vladislav IV Wasa (Wladyslaw IV Vasa)	1632–48
	Jan II Kasimierz Wasa (John II Casimir Vasa)	1648–68
	Michael Wisniowiecki	1669–73
	Jan III Sobieski (John III Sobieski)	1674–96
	Augustus II, the Strong, 1697–1704	1697–1704, 1709–33
	Augustus III	1733–63
	Stanislaw II Augustus Poniatowski	1764–95

Partitions of Poland		1772, 1793, 1795

Divided under Habsburg, Prussian, and Russian rule		1795–1867


1701–1867Kingdom of Prussia

Hohenzollerns		1701–1797
	Friedrich I (Frederick I)	1701–13
	Friedrich Wilhelm I (Frederick William I)	1713–40
	Friedrich II, der Grosse (Frederick II, the Great)	1740–86
	Friedrich Wilhelm II (Frederick William II)	1786–97


Romania and Moldova

Ottoman rule
Semi-autonomous Ottoman dependencies		1683–1861


England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales

519–871Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex (centered in southern England)

	Cerdic	519–534
	Cynric	534–560
	Ceawlin	560–592
	Ceol	592–597
	Ceolwulf	597–611
	Cynegils	611–642
	Cenwalh	642–672
	Seaxburh	672–674
	Aescwine	674–676
	Centwine	676–684
	Ceadwalla	685–688
	Ine	688–726
	Aethelheard	726–740
	Cuthred	740–756
	Cynewulf	757–786
	Berhtric	786–802
	Egbert	802–839
	Aethelwulf	839–858
	Aethelbald	858–860
	Aethelberht	860–866
	Aethelred	866–871
	The kings of Wessex, supreme throughout England, become the first royal house of England—see England.


455–827Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Kent (centered in southeastern England)

	Hengest	455–488
	Aesc	488–512
	Octa	512–522
	Eormenric	522–560
	Aethelbert I	560–616
	Eadbald	616–640
	Earconbert	640–644
	Egbert I	664–673
	Hlothere	673–685
	Oswine	688–690
	Wihtred	690–725
	Aethelbert II	725–762
	Sigered	762–764
	Egbert II	765–784
	Eadberht II	796–798
	Cuthred	798–807
	Baldred	823–825
	The kings of Wessex, who have controlled Kent periodically during the eighth and ninth centuries, secure it for good as of 827.


592–841Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria (centered in northern England, bordering Scotland)

	Aethelfrith	592–616
	Edwin	616–633
	St. Oswald	634–642
	Oswiu	642–670
	Ecgfrith	670–685
	Aldfrith	686–705
	Osred I	706–716
	Cenred	716–718
	Osric	718–729
	Ceolwulf	729–737
	Eadberht	737–758
	Aethelwald	759–765
	Alhred	765–774
	Aethelred I	774–779,790–796
	Aelfwald I	779–788
	Eardwulf	796–808
	Eanred	809–841
	The kings of Wessex control Northumbria after 827, following a period of disorder and decline after Eadberht's demise.


626–919Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia (centered in central and western England, bordering Wales)

	Penda	626–655
	Wulfhere	658–675
	AethelredI	675–704
	Cenred	704–709
	Ceolred	709–716
	Aethelbald	716–757
	Offa	757–796
	Cenwulf	796–821
	Ceolwulf	821–823
	Beornwulf	823–825
	Ludeca	825–827
	Wiglaf	827–840
	Berhtwulf	840–852
	Burgred	852–874
	Ceolwulf I	874–879
	Aethelred II	879–911
	Aethelflaed	911–918
	Aelfwyn	918–919
	Mercia is annexed by the kings of Wessex.


England

Anglo—Saxons		802–1016
	Alfred, the Great	871–899
	Edward, the Elder	899–924
	Aethelstan	924–939
	Edgar	959–975
	Aethelred II, the Unready	978–1016

Danes		1016–1042
	Canute (Knut), the Great	1016–35
	Harold I, called Harold Harefoot	1035–40
	Hardecanute	1040–42

Anglo–Saxons		1042–1066
	Edward, the Confessor	1042–66
	Harold II	1066

Normans		1066–1154
	William I, the Conqueror	1066–87
	William II, called William Rufus	1087–1100
	Henry I	1100–35
	Stephen	1135–54

Plantagenets		1154-1399
	Henry II	1154–89
	Richard I, the Lion-Hearted	1189–99
	John I	1199–1216
	Henry III	1216–72
	Edward I	1272–1307
	Edward II	1307–27
	Edward III	1327–77
	Richard II	1377–99

Lancastrians		1399-1471
	Henry IV	1399–1413
	Henry V	1413–22
	Henry VI	1422–61, 1470–71

Yorkists		1461–1485
	Edward IV	1461–83
	Edward V	1483
	Richard III	1483–85

Tudors		1485–1603
	Henry VII	1485–1509
	Henry VIII	1509–47
	Edward VI	1547–53
	Mary I, called Mary Tudor or Bloody Mary	1553–58
	Elizabeth I	1558–1603

Stuarts		1603–1714
	James I	1603–25
	Charles I	1625–49
	Charles II	1660–85
	James II	1685–88
	William III and Mary II	1689–94
	William III	1694–1702
	Anne	1702–14

Hanoverians		1714–1901
	George I	1714–27
	George II	1727–60
	George III	1760–1820
	George IV	1820–30
	William IV, the Sailor-King or Silly Billy	1830–37
	Victoria	1837–1901

Saxe—Coburgs		1901–1910
	Edward VII	1901–10

Windsors		1910–present
	George V	1910–36
	Edward VIII	1936
	George VI	1936–52
	Elizabeth II	1952–present

France

460–814Kingdom of the Franks

	Childeric I	460–482
	Chlodovech (Clovis) I	482–511
	Chlothar I	511–561
	Charibert I	561–584
	Chlothar II	584–629
	Dagobert I	629–639
	St. Sigebert	639–656
	Childebert	656–661
	Childeric II	662–675
	Theuderic III	676–690
	Chlodovech (Clovis) III	690–694
	Childebert III	694–711
	Theuderic IV	721–737
	Childeric III	743–751
	Pippin	754–768
	Charles (Charlemagne)	768–814
	The Kingdom of the Franks ends when Charlemagne raises it to imperial stature in 800—thereafter, see the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire.


898–1204Duchy of Aquitaine (centered in western France)

	William I, the Pious	898–918
	William II, the Younger	918–926
	Ebalus the Bastard	927–934
	William III, the Towhead	934–963
	William IV, Fierabras (the Strong-Armed)	963–993
	William V, the Great	993–1030
	William VI, the Fat	1030–38
	Eudes (Odo)	1038–39
	William VII, the Brave	1039–58
	William VIII	1058–86
	William IX, the Troubadour	1086–1126
	William X, the Toulousan	1126–37
	Eleanor	1137–1204
	The duchy is united with England upon Eleanor's marriage to Henry II of England.


937–1514Duchy of Brittany (centered in western France)

House of Nantes		937–990
	Alan I, Wrybeard	937–952
	Drogo	952–958
	Hoël	960–981
	Guérech	981–988
	Alan II	988–990

House of Rennes		990–1066
	Conan I, the Crooked	990–992
	Geoffrey I	992–1008
	Alan III	1008–40
	Conan II	1040–66

House of Cornouaille		1066–1166
	Hoël	1066–84
	Alan IV, Fergant (the Iron-Gloved)	1084–1112
	Conan III, the Fat	1112–48
	Eudo of Porho�t	1148–56
	Conan IV, the Younger	1156–66

House of Plantagenet	Geoffrey II	1166–86

House of Dreux		1187–1364
	Arthur I (husband of Alix, daughter of Geoffrey II)	1187–1221
	John I, the Red	1221–86
	John II	1286–1305
	Arthur II	1305–12
	John III, the Good	1312–41
	Charles of Blois	1341–64

House of Montfort		1364–1514
	John IV, the Conqueror	1364–99
	John V	1399–1442
	Francis I	1442–50
	Peter II	1450–57
	Francis II	1458–88
	Anne	1488–1514
	The duchy is united with France upon Anne's marriage to Louis XII of France.



1162–1477Duchy of Burgundy (centered in eastern France)

	Hugh III	1162–93
	Odo (Eudes) III	1193–1218
	Hugh IV	1218–72
	Robert II	1272–1309
	Odo (Eudes) IV	1315–50
	Philip de Rouvres	1350–61
	Philip the Bold	1363–1404
	John the Fearless	1404–19
	Philip the Good	1419–67
	Charles the Bold	1467–77
	The dynasty ends with a female heir, and the duchy reverts to the French crown.



1112–1481County of Provence (centered in southeastern France)

House of Barcelona		1112–1245
	Raymond Berengar I	1112–31
	Berengar Raymond I	1131–44
	Raymond Berengar II	1144–66
	Alfonso I	1166–73
	Raymond Berengar IV	1173–81
	Sancho	1181–85
	Alfonso II	1185–1209
	Raymond Berengar V	1209–45

Capetian House of Anjou		1246–1382
	Charles I	1246–85
	Charles II, the Lame	1285–1309
	Robert the Wise	1309–43
	Joan	1343–82

Valois House of Anjou		1382–1481
	Louis I	1382–84
	Louis II	1384–1417
	Louis III	1417–34
	René the Good	1434–80
	Charles III, of Maine	1480–81
	Provence becomes French territory according to the terms of Charles III's will.


844–1271County of Toulouse (centered in southwestern France)

	Fredelon	844–852
	Raymond I	852–863
	Bernard I	864–872
	Bernard II, Hairfoot, of Auvergne	872–885
	Eudes (Odo)	885–918
	Raymond II	918–923
	Raymond Pons	923–942
	Raymond III, of Rouergue	942–961
	Raymond IV	961–978
	William III, Taillefer	978–1037
	Pons	1037–60
	William IV	1060–93
	Raymond V, of St. Gilles	1093–1105
	Bertram	1105–12
	Alfonso Jordan	1112–48
	Raymond VI	1148–94
	Raymond VII	1194–1222
	Raymond VIII	1222–49
	Alfonso of Poitiers	1249–71
	The county is united with France upon the death of Joan, daughter of Raymond VIII and wife of Alfonso of Poitiers, son of Louis VIII of France.


France

Capetians		987–1328
	Hugues Capet (Hugh Capet)	987–96
	Robert II, le Pieux (the Pious)	996–1031
	Henri I (Henry I)	1031–60
	Philippe I (Philip I)	1059–1108
	Louis VI, le Gros (the Fat)	1108–37
	Louis VII, le Jeune (the Young)	1137–80
	Philippe Auguste (Philippe II)	1179–1223
	Louis VIII, le Lion	1223–26
	Louis IX (St. Louis)	1226–70
	Philippe III, le Hardi (Philip III, the Bold)	1270–85
	Philippe IV, le Bel (Philip IV, the Fair)	1285–1314
	Louis X, le Hutin (the Stubborn)	1314–16
	Philippe V, le Long (Philip V, the Tall)	1316–22
	Charles IV, le Bel (the Fair)	1322–28

Valois		1328–1589
	Philippe VI (Philip VI),	1328–50
	Jean II, le Bon (John II, the Good),	1350–64
	Charles V, le Sage (the Wise)	1364–80
	Charles VI, le Bien-Aimé (the Well-Beloved)	1380–1422
	Charles VII	1422–61
	Louis XI	1461–83
	Charles VIII	1483–98
	Louis XII	1498–1515
	François I (Francis I)	1515–47
	Henri II (Henry II)	1547–59
	François II (Francis II)	1559–60
	Charles IX	1560–74
	Henri III (Henry III)	1574–89

Bourbons		1589–1792
	Henri IV (Henry IV, called Henry of Navarre),	1589–1610
	Louis XIII	1610–43
	Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil (the Sun King)	1643–1715
	Louis XV, le Bien-Aimé (the Well-Beloved)	1715–74
	Louis XVI	1774–92

First Empire		1804–1814
	Napoleon I	1804–14

Bourbons		1814–1830
	Louis XVIII	1814–24
	Charles X	1824–30

Orléans		1830–1848
	Louis—Philippe, le Roi-Citoyen (the Citizen King)	1830–48

Second Empire		1852–1870
	Napoleon III, called Louis-Napoléon	1852–70


Holy Roman Empire

Carolingians		800–911
	Charlemagne (Charles I, the Great)	800–814
	Louis I, le Pieux (the Pious)	814–40
	Lothair I (in the Western part of the empire)	840–55
	Ludwig II, der Deutsche (Louis II, the German) (in the Eastern part of the empire)	843–76
	Ludwig II (Louis II)	855–75
	Charles II, le Chauve (the Bald)	875–77
	Charles III, le Gros (the Fat)	881–87
	Arnulf	887–99
	Ludwig III, das Kind (Louis III, the Child)	899–911

Saxons		911–1024
	Konrad I (Conrad I)	911–18
	Heinrich I, der Vogelfänger (Henry I, the Fowler)	919–36
	Otto I, the Great	936–73
	Otto II	973–83
	Otto III	983–1002
	Heinrich II, der Heilige (Henry II, the Saint)	1002–24

Salians		1024–1137
	Konrad II (Conrad II)	1024–39
	Heinrich III (Henry III)	1039–56
	Heinrich IV (Henry IV)	1056–1106
	Heinrich V (Henry V)	1106–25
	Lothair II	1125–37

Hohenstaufens		1138–1254
	Konrad III (Conrad III)	1138–52
	Friedrich I (Frederick I), Barbarossa	1152–90
	Heinrich VI (Henry VI)	1190–97
	Otto IV of Brunswick	1198–1215
	Philipp (Philip) of Swabia	1198–1208
	Friedrich II (Frederick II)	1212–50
	Konrad IV (Conrad IV)	1251–54

Habsburgs	Luxemburgs, and others	1273–1437
	Rudolf I (Habsburg)	1273–91
	Adolf of Nassau	1292–98
	Albrecht I (Albert I) (Habsburg)	1298–1308
	Heinrich I (Henry VII) of Luxembourg	1308–13
	Ludwig IV der Bayer (Louis IV of Bavaria	1314–47
	Charles IV of Luxembourg)	1347–78
	Wenceslas of Bohemia	1378–1400
	Ruprecht Klem (Rupert) of the Palatinate	1400–10
	Sigismund of Luxembourg	1410–37
	Albrecht II (Albert II)	1438–39
	Friedrich III (Frederick III)	1440–93
	Maximilian I	1493–19
	Charles V	1519–56
	Ferdinand I	1556–64
	Maximillian II	1564–76
	Rudolph II	1576–1612
	Matthias	1612–19
	Ferdinand II	1619–37
	Ferdinand III	1637–57
	Leopold I	1658–1705
	Joseph I	1705–11
	Charles VI	1711–40
	Maria Theresa	1740–80
	Joseph II	1765–90
	Leopold II	1790–92
	Franz II (Francis II)	1792–1806

Papacy (from John VIII, first pope to use the title officially)

	John VIII	872–882
	Marinus I	882–884
	St. Hadrian III	884–885
	Stephen VI	885–891
	Formosus	891–896
	Boniface VI	896
	Stephen VII	896–897
	John IX	898–900
	Benedict IV	900–903
	Sergius III	904–911
	Anastasius III	911–913
	John X	914–928
	Stephen VIII	929–931
	John XI	931–935
	Leo VII	936–939
	Stephen IX	939–942
	Marinus II	942–946
	Agapitus II	946–955
	John XII	955–964
	Leo VIII	963–965
	John XIII	965–972
	Benedict VI	973–974
	Benedict VII	974–983
	John XIV	983–984
	Boniface VII	984–985
	John XV	985–996
	Gregory V	996–999
	Sylvester II	999–1003
	John XVII	1003
	John XVIII	1004–09
	Sergius IV	1009–12
	Benedict VIII	1012–24
	John XIX	1024–32