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Stuart Kings and Queens
Meet the royal dynasty that ruled Britain for over a century! From King James I uniting England and Scotland to Queen Anne, discover how the Stuart monarchs shaped the nation through times of great change.
1603 – 1714
The Stuarts
for Kids
Journey into the dramatic age of the Stuart monarchs! Discover gunpowder plots, daring voyages across the ocean, a civil war that changed Britain forever, and the Great Fire that transformed London.
1603 – 1714
The Stuart Dynasty
111 Years
How Long the Era Lasted
5 Topics
Explore Below
Explore Topics
Stuart Topics
Dive into five fascinating aspects of the Stuart era with our age-appropriate educational resources
The Gunpowder Plot
The most famous failed plot in British history! Learn how Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators tried to blow up Parliament in 1605, and why we still remember it with bonfires and fireworks every November.
The Mayflower
Set sail on one of history's most famous voyages! In 1620, a group of brave Pilgrims crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower to build a new life in America, changing the course of history forever.
The English Civil War
Discover the war that divided a nation! Learn how King Charles I and Parliament fought for control of Britain, leading to battles, sieges, and ultimately the only time England has ever had no king or queen.
The Great Fire of London
Explore the catastrophic blaze that destroyed most of medieval London in 1666! Learn how a small fire in a bakery on Pudding Lane spread across the city for four days and how London was rebuilt from the ashes.
Key Dates
Journey Through the Stuart Era
Follow the key events that shaped this dramatic period of British history
1
1603
James I Becomes King
When Queen Elizabeth I died without children, her cousin James VI of Scotland became James I of England. For the first time ever, England and Scotland shared the same monarch, uniting the two crowns under one ruler.
2
1605
The Gunpowder Plot
Guy Fawkes and a group of conspirators planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder. The plot was discovered just in time on 5th November, and we still celebrate Bonfire Night every year!
3
1620
The Mayflower Sets Sail
A group of 102 passengers called the Pilgrims left Plymouth, England on the Mayflower ship. After a gruelling 66-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, they arrived in America and founded the Plymouth Colony.
4
1642
The English Civil War Begins
King Charles I and Parliament could not agree on who should rule the country. War broke out between the Royalists (Cavaliers) who supported the King and the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) led by Oliver Cromwell.
5
1666
The Great Fire of London
A fire started in Thomas Farriner's bakery on Pudding Lane and burned for four terrifying days. It destroyed over 13,000 houses, 87 churches, and most of the City of London. Amazingly, only a few people are recorded as dying.
Amazing Stuart Facts
Incredible Stuart Facts for Kids
Get ready for some jaw-dropping facts about the era of kings, plots, and fire!
Fact #1
Two Thrones, One King
James I was the first monarch to rule both England and Scotland at the same time! He was already King James VI of Scotland for 36 years before he also became King of England in 1603. He even called himself "King of Great Britain."
Fact #2
36 Barrels of Gunpowder
Guy Fawkes was caught guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder hidden beneath the Houses of Parliament. That's enough explosives to completely flatten the building! The plot was revealed thanks to an anonymous letter sent to Lord Monteagle.
Fact #3
The Tiny Mayflower
The Mayflower was only about 30 metres long — roughly the length of three double-decker buses! Yet 102 passengers and around 30 crew members squeezed aboard for the 66-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to America.
Fact #4
Cavaliers vs Roundheads
During the English Civil War, the two sides had brilliant nicknames! The Royalists were called "Cavaliers" (meaning horsemen), while Parliamentarians were called "Roundheads" because of their short-cropped hairstyles.
Fact #5
Samuel Pepys Buried His Cheese
When the Great Fire of London was spreading, the famous diarist Samuel Pepys was so worried about his belongings that he buried his favourite Parmesan cheese and wine in his garden to save them from the flames!
Fact #6
No Christmas Allowed!
After the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans actually banned Christmas celebrations in England! From 1647 to 1660, mince pies, Christmas decorations, and even singing carols were forbidden. Soldiers patrolled the streets to enforce the ban.
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