410 History
FIND OUT MORE. English Civil War 406 • Samurai 392 • Tudor Age 404
1 HABSBURG 1273–1918
The Habsburgs ruled Austria and
at times the Holy Roman Empire,
the Netherlands, and Spain.
Charles V reigned 1516–1556.1 STUART 1371–1714
The Stuarts ruled Scotland and,
after 1603, England, Wales, and
Ireland. Charles II reigned
1660–1685.1 BOURBON 1589–1830
The Bourbons ruled in France,
Navarre, Naples, and Spain. Louis
XIV (above, costumed as the Sun)
was King of France 1643–1715.1 QING 1644–1912
The last dynasty of the Chinese
Empire was founded by
Manchurian invaders. Emperor
Qianlong ruled 1735–1799.1 ROMANOV 1613–1917
The Romanovs were the last
Russian dynasty. Catherine the
Great married into the family and
was empress 1762–1796.Monarchy
Monarchy means rule by a single person, such as a king
or a queen. Normally, rule passes from one generation to
the next within the same family, or. DYNASTY. In the
17th century monarchs held great power, but this power
was increasingly being challenged, often with violence.
WHAT WAS THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS?
This was the belief that monarchs were appointed by
God to rule, and therefore had a right to impose their
will on their subjects. This made it almost impossible
to criticise or oppose the monarch.DYNASTIES
Dynasties, or royal families, often held power for hundreds of
years. Many became hugely wealthy. Their rule came to an end if
there were no children or relatives to inherit the throne, or if a
monarch was overthrown by rivals or revolutions.WHICH IS THE WORLD’S OLDEST DYNASTY?
The same dynasty has ruled Japan for 2,000 years or
more. Legend states that it is even older, having been
founded by Jimmu Tenno in 660 BCE. But the emperors
have not always held great power. Sometimes, real
power was held by military governors called shoguns.COURTYARD AT VERSAILLES 3
In 1682, the most luxurious
palace in the world was
Versailles, the glittering royal
court of Louis XIV of France.4 HALL OF MIRRORS
This dazzling hall at Versailles was
designed to reflect royal power
and glory, impressing all visitors.WERE KINGS EVER ELECTED?
From 1573, kings of Poland were elected by an
assembly of lords, called the Republic of Nobles. The
great Polish soldier Jan Sobiewski was elected king in
1674, after defeating invading Turks. Many of those
chosen as king were foreigners.OURTYARD AT VERSAILLESmonarchy