12 Kings and Queens Who Vanished From History Books

History often highlights the most famous rulers, but many others were forgotten. Some lost power quickly, while others were deliberately left out of official records. Learning about them shows how memory, politics, and circumstance shape who is remembered.

1. 1. Queen Jane of England

Jane, often called Lady Jane Grey, ruled England for only nine days in 1553. She was declared queen after the death of Edward VI but was quickly overthrown by Mary Tudor. Jane was executed at age 16. Her brief reign made her almost disappear from the official royal line.

2. 2. King Louis XIX of France

Louis XIX ruled for only about 20 minutes in 1830. He became king after his father, Charles X, abdicated, but he also gave up the throne almost immediately. The crown passed to his nephew, Henry V, who never actually ruled. His reign is one of the shortest in history.

3. 3. Queen Maria of Portugal

Maria II of Portugal briefly lost her throne in 1828 when her uncle seized power. She was forced into exile as a teenager. After several years, she regained the crown in 1834. Her interrupted reign makes her early years less recorded.

4. 4. King Michael I of Romania

Michael I first became king at age six in 1927 after his grandfather’s death. His father later returned and replaced him, leaving him out of power for years. He regained the throne in 1940 but was forced to abdicate by the Communists in 1947. His unusual path left him less known in world history.

5. 5. Queen Urraca of León and Castile

Urraca ruled in the early 12th century, one of the few women to govern a large medieval kingdom. Her reign was marked by conflicts with nobles and her husband. Chroniclers often downplayed her role because of her gender. As a result, she is rarely remembered outside Spanish history.

6. 6. King Baldwin V of Jerusalem

Baldwin V became king of Jerusalem in 1185 as a child. His reign lasted less than two years before his death at the age of eight. Afterward, his mother and uncle fought over succession. He is often forgotten because of his short life.

7. 7. Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii

Liliʻuokalani was the last monarch of Hawaii, ruling from 1891 to 1893. She was overthrown by a group supported by American interests. The Hawaiian monarchy was abolished, and the islands were annexed by the United States. Her story was often minimized in history books outside Hawaii.

8. 8. King Richard II of England

Richard II was deposed in 1399 by Henry Bolingbroke, who became Henry IV. He was imprisoned and later died under mysterious circumstances. His reign was overshadowed by the Wars of the Roses that followed. For centuries, his image was shaped mainly by hostile accounts.

9. 9. Queen Christina of Sweden

Christina ruled Sweden in the 17th century but shocked Europe when she abdicated in 1654. She converted to Catholicism and moved to Rome. Swedish historians often downplayed her role because she left the throne voluntarily. Her unusual story left her less celebrated than other rulers.

10. 10. King Edward V of England

Edward V became king in 1483 at age 12. He and his younger brother were placed in the Tower of London and never seen again. Historians call them the “Princes in the Tower.” His reign is officially recognized, but he is largely remembered as a mystery rather than a monarch.

11. 11. Queen Ranavalona III of Madagascar

Ranavalona III ruled Madagascar until the French colonized the island in 1897. She was forced into exile and lived in Algeria and later France. Her kingdom was absorbed into the French empire. Her rule is often overlooked in global history.

12. 12. King Ladislaus the Posthumous

Ladislaus was born in 1440 after his father had already died, which gave him the nickname “the Posthumous.” He inherited multiple crowns as a child but faced political struggles. He ruled briefly before dying at age 17. His early death meant he left little mark on history.

• Tags:
• forgotten rulers
• lost monarchs
• hidden history
• royal exile
• short reigns