Elizabeth I was born Princess Elizabeth in September 1533, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife. A portrait of Elizabeth I, painted when she was around 13 years old ...

Famously, Elizabeth refused to name her successor. With no children of her own it was her job to make sure the country knew who would take over. Not doing so put the country in a right mess.

Just before his death, Edward named his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, his successor (bumping Elizabeth down yet another spot). However, Jane’s stint on the throne was a brief 13 days—Mary succeeded ...