Regnal years of English and British monarchs

Regnal Years of English and British Monarchs

Regnal years are used to count the years of a monarch's reign beginning from their accession date. The regnal calendar marks the anniversary of the monarch's accession each year.

Example Regnal Calendar Dates

Year 1 started on 27 May 1199
Year 2 started on 18 May 1200
Year 3 started on 3 May 1201
Year 4 started on 23 May 1202
Year 5 started on 15 May 1203
Year 6 started on 3 June 1204

These dates indicate that the regnal year does not always begin on the exact same calendar day each year but follows the anniversary of the accession.

The regnal year system helps in dating official documents, laws, and historical events by referencing the exact year of a monarch’s rule.

Summary

Regnal years provide a structured method to track and date monarchs' reigns from the day they take the throne, marking each new year on the accession anniversary.

This system ensures historical and legal continuity when referencing events or documents in relation to a monarch’s rule. Would you like a detailed explanation of how regnal years affected historical record-keeping?

Wikipedia — 2025-11-30