The history of the English monarchy is long and complex, spanning over a millennium and evolving through a variety of phases, each marked by key figures, events, and shifts in power. Here's an overview of the major periods and dynasties in English monarchical history:

1. Early Medieval Period (Pre-1066)

Anglo-Saxon Period (871–1066):
Before 1066, England was divided into various kingdoms, with the Kingdom of Wessex emerging as the dominant power under King Alfred the Great (871–899), who is often credited with laying the foundation for a united England. His successors, including Æthelstan (924–939), who is regarded as the first King of a united England, consolidated control over much of the country.

2. The Norman Conquest and the Plantagenets (1066–1485)

Norman Dynasty (1066–1154):
In 1066, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England, defeating King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. William became King William I of England, bringing Norman culture and feudalism to England. The Normans established a strong centralized monarchy.

Angevin-Plantagenet Dynasty (1154–1399):
This period began with Henry II (1154–1189), who ruled vast territories in both England and France. Henry's descendants, including Richard I (the Lionheart) and King John (who signed the Magna Carta in 1215), faced internal strife and rebellion. The Plantagenet dynasty also saw the beginning of the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) between England and France under Edward III.

Lancastrians and Yorkists (1399–1485):
The later part of the Plantagenet era saw the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars between the rival houses of Lancaster and York. The conflict led to the deposition of King Richard II in 1399 and the establishment of the Lancastrian dynasty with Henry IV. After the war, the Yorkist Edward IV took the throne, only to be replaced again by Henry VII, the first Tudor king, in 1485.

3. The Tudor Dynasty (1485–1603)

Henry VII (1485–1509):
Henry VII ended the Wars of the Roses by defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He established the Tudor dynasty and strengthened the monarchy's financial and political foundations.

Henry VIII (1509–1547):
Henry VIII is perhaps best known for his six marriages and his role in the English Reformation. By breaking from the Roman Catholic Church and establishing the Church of England, Henry VIII transformed both the religious and political landscape of England.

Elizabeth I (1558–1603):
Henry VIII's daughter, Elizabeth I, ruled during a golden age of English history. The Elizabethan Era saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the flourishing of English literature, most notably the works of William Shakespeare.

4. The Stuart Dynasty (1603–1714)

James I (1603–1625):
Elizabeth I died without an heir, and the throne passed to her cousin, James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England. His reign saw the continued consolidation of royal power, but also tensions between the monarchy and Parliament that would later explode into civil war.

Charles I (1625–1649) and the English Civil War:
Charles I's attempts to govern without Parliament and impose unpopular religious policies led to the English Civil War (1642–1651). The war ended with Charles's defeat and execution, and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

The Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649–1660):
After the execution of Charles I, England became a republic, but Cromwell's rule as Lord Protector was effectively a dictatorship. The monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles II.

The Glorious Revolution (1688):
James II, a Catholic, was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. William of Orange and his wife Mary (James II's Protestant daughter) were invited to rule as joint monarchs, establishing the principle of a constitutional monarchy.

5. The Hanoverians (1714–1901)

George I (1714–1727) and the Early Hanoverians:
After Queen Anne's death in 1714 without an heir, the throne passed to George I of the German House of Hanover. This period saw the gradual development of the constitutional monarchy, with Parliament gaining increasing power over the monarchy.

George III (1760–1820):
George III's long reign witnessed significant events, including the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. His later years were marked by bouts of mental illness, leading to his son ruling as Prince Regent.

Victorian Era (1837–1901):
Queen Victoria's reign was one of the longest in British history and marked a period of industrial, cultural, and political expansion. The British Empire reached its zenith during her reign.

6. The Modern Era (1901–Present)

Edwardian Period (1901–1910):
After Victoria's death, her son Edward VII became king. The Edwardian period was marked by the continued rise of liberalism and the beginning of tensions that would lead to World War I.

World War I and the Windsors (1917–present):
In 1917, during World War I, the royal family changed its name from the German-sounding House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor. George V reigned during this period, followed by Edward VIII, who famously abdicated in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson. His brother, George VI, took the throne and led Britain through World War II.

Elizabeth II (1952–2022):
Elizabeth II became queen in 1952 and was Britain's longest-serving monarch, overseeing vast changes in British society, the decolonization of much of the British Empire, and the transformation of the UK into a modern state. Her reign was marked by stability, though the monarchy faced challenges, particularly with the media and public scrutiny.

Charles III (2022–present):
Upon Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, her son Charles III became king. His reign continues in a modern constitutional framework, where the monarchy acts as a ceremonial and unifying institution.

Summary

The English monarchy has evolved from a feudal institution to a constitutional one. While it began with the absolute power of kings and queens, over time, political power has shifted to Parliament, and the monarchy has become largely symbolic. However, it remains a central and revered part of British heritage and culture.