Which Monarchs Did Shakespeare Write The History Plays About?

Shakespeare wrote plays about many historical leaders. These plays are known as “histories”, and most of them were written about British monarchs.

British History

• King John
• Edward III (thought to be written by Shakespeare, but not included in the First Folio, which is the most concise printed collection of Shakespeare's work)
• Richard II
• Henry IV, Part 1
• Henry IV, Part 2
• Henry V
• Henry VI, Part 1
• Henry VI, Part 2
• Henry VI, Part 3
• Richard III
• Henry VIII

The plays Macbeth and King Lear were also about kings, but are largely fictional, so are classed as tragedies rather than histories.

Roman Histories
Shakespeare also wrote several plays about Roman leaders, but these are generally considered to be tragedies rather than histories. The plays that Shakespeare wrote about Roman leaders are:

• Coriolanus
• Julius Caesar
• Antony and Cleopatra

Hope that helps.