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    [OC] The popularity of kings and queens (and Cromwells) of England and Britain since 1066
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    [OC] The popularity of kings and queens (and Cromwells) of England and Britain since 1066

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    1. mattsmithetc on

      Source: [https://yougov.co.uk/society/articles/51496-who-are-the-most-and-least-popular-kings-and-queens-of-england-and-britain](https://yougov.co.uk/society/articles/51496-who-are-the-most-and-least-popular-kings-and-queens-of-england-and-britain)

      I’ve polled 43 rulers of England and Britain since the Norman invasion (with apologies to fans of Lady Jane Grey or the Empress Matilda)

      Unsurprisingly, the late Queen Elizabeth II comes out on top, with 84% of the British public having a favourable view of her

      The current king, Charles III, comes either third if you go by favourable views alone (58%), or seventh if you include the unfavourable views (31%, giving a net score of +27)

      20th century monarchs feature heavily in the top ten – in addition to Elizabeth II, there is also Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI – while other favourites include Elizabeth I, Richard the Lionheart and William the Conqueror

      Coming dead least, to no-one’s surprise, is Henry VIII – the only king that most Britons have a negative view of (59%)

      He beats kingslayer Oliver Cromwell, who comes second from bottom, with 41% having a negative view of the Lord Protector

      England’s most obscure monarch over the past century is Stephen of Blois, who ruled from 1135-1154, with only 9% of Britons claiming to have a view on him one way or the other

      Tools: Datawrapper and Adobe Illustrator

    3. Mellowtablelamp on

      Op using Time Machine to travel to medevial England and hand out Google form links .

    4. sxjthefirst on

      61% don’t know James I ?! Just happens to be the guy who united the crowns of England and Scotland and oh the James associated with the KJV Bible. And I am not even a Brit

    7. Only_One_Kenobi on

      Ask the same question to people outside of Britain.

      The whitewashing of history has had a huge effect, as evidenced by the massive popularity of one of the greatest villains of history. Queen Victoria.

    10. lordnacho666 on

      There’s the ones everyone has heard about at the top and bottom, and a bunch of anons that nobody really has an opinion on.

    11. PhantomLamb on

      I find it amazing how much QE2 turned things around in the final 25 years of her life. Was a lot of dislike in the 90’s.

    12. mantolwen on

      I’m impressed that Edward VIII didn’t come in last. Maybe it’s because of the postboxes.

    13. goteamnick on

      It’s annoying Richard the Lionhart is ranked so highly. He was a negligent king boosted by a badass nickname.