History of the English line of succession who became James I of England. On the day of James I's death, 27 March 1625, the line of succession to the English throne was: Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Charles I. When Charles I was beheaded on 30 January 1649 the line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones was: However, the monarchy in England was abolished and Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector. After Cromwell's death, the monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles I's eldest son, Charles II. On the day of Charles II death, 6 February
Monarch Monarch A monarch is a sovereign head of state in a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority and power in the state, or others may wield that power on behalf of the monarch. Typically a monarch either personally inherits the lawful right to exercise the state's sovereign rights (often referred to as "the throne" or "the crown") or is selected by an established process from a family or cohort eligible to provide the nation's monarch. Alternatively, an individual may become monarch by conquest, acclamation or a combination of means. A monarch usually reigns for life or until abdication.