Does anyone know who the first....?

Question

British monarch was and how they were appointed? i.e who decided one person should 'rule the land'??

Answer 1

The First Monarch to actually call himself King of the Britons in this country was recorded as Alfred, however I know that there was previously Chieftans of the Britons before that which can be labelled as Kings, these where rulers of the tribal lands of the West Country Cornwall to Dorset / Somerset area and sometimes also responsible from the Bretons of Brittany as well, however could not tell you their names.
The answers about James the 1st being King of the British is correct, however, Edward the 1st was the first ruler of the whole of the British Mainland by conquest and marrage.

Answer 2

The question asked British monarch so James of Scotland was the first
We must try not to be arrogant it is British history not English

Answer 3

Keith d has it right about the first BRITISH monarch - previously there were separate kings of England and of the Scots.

Egbert, who ruled from 827 - 839 is generally reckoned to be the first King of England, butthere were a number of Kings prior to him who ruled parts of the country.

These early Kings were tribal chiefs who extended their control of a wider area (usually gradually, sometimes over generations, through a combination of conquest, marriage & politics) and claimed the status of King for themselves and thier successors.

Answer 4

If you mean who was the first monarch to carry the title King/Queen of Great Britain, then Keith D is right. It was James VI and I of Scotland and England. When Elizabeth I died without an heir in 1603, James was her closest living relative from the most senior branch of the Tudor royal family, (through his paternal grandmother, Margaret Tudor, the sister of Henry VIII).

If you mean who was the first monarch to carry the title King/Queen of England, it was Alfred the Great. Alfred lived in the second half of the ninth century (roughly 849-899).

He was the youngest son of his father, Æthelwulf, king of Wessex. He eventually became king when all three of his elder brothers died without any heirs. Alfred is credited with driving the Danes (Vikings) from England and re-establishing Anglo-Saxon control over the country. Alfred was the first King to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons". The Danes were the ones to give him the title, "King of England".

To answer your question of who decided one person should rule the land, Kingship developed at a time when many tribes and groups were battling for control of Great Britain. Kings were essentially Warlords, who had enough charisma and political savvy to lead their armies to victory over their enemies. Because this was an era of war, Warlords/Kings also became the political leaders, and their children were used as political tools by using them to forge marriage alliances with other Warlords/Kings. This eventually gave rise to the European system of Royalty, where all political power was in control of the Royal families of Europe, and marriages were an essential tool in politics.

Hope this helps you out some.
Peace.

Answer 5

First British Monarch was James VI (of Scotland) and I(of England). Became King of both countries in 1603.
No one decided one person should rule the land, after Elizabeth I of England died without an heir he became King of England(he had been King of Scotland since childhood).

Answer 6

The English Monarchy goes a litle further back than James I (IV). Rather than give you a history lesson here, I would highly recommend obtaining a book from the library or if not a book, that using the web.

Answer 7

Good question , was it King Harrod ?

Why wasn't i taught this at school ? all i can remember about history lessons was the teacher harping on about Henry the 8th wife's who's actual influence on history was absolutely nothing !

Answer 8

just a matter of strongest and fittest rules