Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable 70-year reign marked a historic milestone, solidifying her place as the longest-reigning British monarch. But who are the other monarchs that have shaped the UK’s history through their extended time on the throne? Let’s delve into the reigns of some of the longest serving monarchs in UK history, exploring their impact and the legacies they left behind.
Queen Victoria – Reigning for Approximately 63 Years and 7 Months
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Osborne House: A portrait capturing the royal couple at their beloved seaside residence on the Isle of Wight.
Queen Victoria, born on May 24, 1819, to Edward, Duke of Kent, and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, ascended to the throne on June 20, 1837. Her reign, concluding with her death on January 22, 1901, at Osborne House, spanned over six decades and witnessed Britain’s zenith as a global power.
The Victorian era is synonymous with British imperial expansion. Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1877, symbolizing the vast reach of the British Empire across the globe. Her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg was a cornerstone of her personal life, producing nine children and influencing the image of the royal family. Prince Albert’s untimely death in 1861 deeply affected Victoria, leading to a prolonged period of mourning.
Osborne House, a cherished project of Victoria and Albert, served as their coastal retreat. It remains a poignant reminder of her life, preserved with its original furnishings, offering visitors a glimpse into the personal world of this iconic monarch.
George III – Ruling for Approximately 59 Years and 3 Months
King George III Coronation Portrait: A stately depiction of King George III in his coronation attire, reflecting the grandeur of his reign.
Born on June 4, 1738, at Norfolk House, George III was the first Hanoverian monarch born in England. He succeeded his grandfather, George II, on October 25, 1760, beginning a reign that would last until his death on January 29, 1820, at Windsor.
George III’s reign was marked by significant global and domestic transformations. The loss of the American colonies in the American War of Independence occurred within the first quarter of his rule. However, this was followed by Britain’s triumph in the Napoleonic Wars, a 22-year conflict that solidified Britain’s international standing, highlighted by victories at Trafalgar (1805) and Waterloo (1815).
Domestically, the era witnessed profound social change driven by the Agricultural and early Industrial Revolutions. These transformations reshaped British society, sometimes causing considerable upheaval. From 1811 onwards, King George III experienced periods of mental illness, leading to his son, George IV, being appointed as Regent.
Sites across the UK offer tangible links to George III’s reign. The Iron Bridge at Ironbridge stands as a symbol of the Industrial Revolution’s dawn. Coastal fortifications in Kent, such as Dover Western Heights, Dover Castle, and the Dymchurch Martello Tower, were constructed to defend against Napoleonic invasion threats. Georgian architecture, exemplified by Kenwood House, connects to the era’s societal shifts, with Kenwood being home to Lord Mansfield, a key figure in the early abolition movement.
Henry III – A Reign of Approximately 56 Years
Henry III Coronation Chronicle: An illustration from a historical chronicle depicting the coronation of King Henry III, preserved in the British Library.
Henry III, born on October 1, 1207, in Winchester, was the son of King John and Isabella of Angouleme. He ascended to the throne on October 19, 1216, and reigned until his death on November 16, 1272, at Westminster.
Henry III’s reign is characterized more by his devotion to piety and architectural pursuits than military or leadership prowess. His attempts to reclaim ancestral lands in France were largely unsuccessful. The Barons’ Wars (c. 1255–65), a series of rebellions against his rule, punctuated his reign. The prolonged siege of Kenilworth Castle, held by Simon de Montfort’s supporters, marked a key episode in these conflicts. Despite the rebels’ defeat, these struggles contributed to the evolution of Parliament.
Henry III’s patronage of the arts is most notably exemplified by his ambitious rebuilding of Westminster Abbey (c. 1245–68) at his own expense, a landmark act of royal patronage in English history. Westminster Chapter House, despite later restorations, remains a significant testament to the artistic achievements of his era.
Other examples of his patronage include Clifford’s Tower in York, rebuilt as the heart of the royal castle, featuring a chapel by Henry of Reyns. The Agricola Tower at Chester Castle contains fragments of wall paintings from his reign, rare survivals of the mural art commissioned by this culturally inclined king.
Edward III – Reigning for Roughly 50 Years and 4 Months
Edward III and Black Prince Illustration: A 14th-century artwork depicting Edward III granting Aquitaine to his son, Edward the Black Prince, highlighting royal power and succession.
Edward III was born on November 13, 1312, at Windsor, son of Edward II and Isabella of France. Declared ruler on January 24, 1327, at the young age of 14, his early reign was influenced by his mother, Isabella, and Roger Mortimer. By October 1330, Edward III seized power directly, marking a turning point in his rule. Isabella subsequently resided on her estates, notably at Castle Rising.
Edward III is credited with reversing England’s decline and restoring royal authority, which had diminished under his predecessor. His reign propelled England to new heights of power, marked by significant victories in the Hundred Years’ War against France. Although territorial gains were temporary, his establishment of the Order of the Garter, the oldest chivalric order still in existence, endures as a lasting legacy. During his lifetime, Edward III was celebrated as an exemplary king.
A significant builder, Edward III remodelled the Palace of Westminster, adding private chambers and completing St Stephen’s Chapel. While most of these chambers are now lost, the Jewel Tower at Westminster, built to house his Privy Wardrobe, remains a key surviving site from his reign.
Elizabeth I – A 44-Year and 4-Month Reign
Queen Elizabeth I Portrait: A lifelike painting of Queen Elizabeth I, capturing the essence of the Virgin Queen and her influential reign.
Born on September 7, 1533, at Greenwich Palace, Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She ascended to the throne on November 17, 1558, and reigned until her death on March 24, 1603, at Richmond Palace.
Elizabeth I is considered one of England’s most intelligent and well-educated monarchs, benefiting from the tutelage of scholar Roger Ascham. Her intellect was evident in her strategic decision to remain unmarried, embracing the persona of the ‘Virgin Queen,’ which became central to her identity and enduring legend.
Elizabeth’s reign is often hailed as a Golden Age for England, characterized by religious tolerance, a rejection of extremism, respect for subjects’ liberties, prudent financial management, and cautious foreign policy. This era contrasted sharply with preceding and succeeding periods. Despite her cautious approach, she confronted the imperial ambitions of Spain, supporting Dutch Protestant rebels and famously overcoming the Spanish Armada.
Her reign also fostered a remarkable flourishing of English culture, particularly in literature and architecture, following earlier turmoil. Tilbury Fort, near the site where Elizabeth rallied troops during the Armada crisis, and the ramparts of Berwick-upon-Tweed, constructed to defend against the Scots, are physical reminders of her era. Kenilworth Castle, famed for the lavish visit in 1575 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, offers another significant location connected to Elizabeth I’s reign.
These monarchs, through their long reigns, indelibly shaped the course of British history, each leaving behind a unique legacy that continues to resonate today.
