Charles I: Believed in the “Divine Right of Kings”; his conflict with Parliament led to the English Civil War and his execution in 1649.
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Charles II: Crowned king during the Restoration in 1660.
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Henry VIII: Famous for breaking away from the Church of Rome and having six wives (Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr).
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James II (James VII of Scotland): Catholic king whose policies led to the Glorious Revolution.
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James VI of Scotland (James I of England): Heir to Elizabeth I; authorized a new translation of the Bible.
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Mary Stuart (Mary, Queen of Scots): Catholic cousin of Elizabeth I who was eventually executed.
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Oliver Cromwell: General of the Parliamentary army and Lord Protector of the English republic.
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Queen Elizabeth I: Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn; re-established the Church of England and defeated the Spanish Armada.
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Sir Christopher Wren: Architect who designed the new St Paul’s Cathedral.
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William of Orange (William III): Protestant ruler of the Netherlands who took the throne in 1688 and defeated James II at the Battle of the Boyne.
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William Shakespeare: Famous playwright and actor born in Stratford-upon-Avon.