List of shortest-reigning monarchs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A monarch is the leader of a monarchy, a position usually intended to last for life or until abdication or deposition. The reign of some monarchs have been notably short. Many of these monarchs acceded to the throne as a result of being first in an order of succession, while other monarchs claimed the throne as a result of conflict. The authenticity of some monarchs has been disputed, especially those who reigned during conflict. One factor in such debates is whether the monarch held the throne in a symbolic or nominal capacity.

Monarchs who reigned for less than a day[edit]

Portrait Monarch Reign Length Notes Ref.
Louis XIX
King of France
2 August 1830 Approximately 20 minutes
(disputed)
Heir-apparent of Charles X, who was forced to abdicate during the July Revolution. His abdication and his father's were announced through the same document, which refers to him as dauphin only. Louis Antoine is said to have been king between his father's signature and his own, but this does not appear to be historically accurate. [1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Luís II
King of Portugal
1 February 1908 ~20 minutes
(disputed)
Carlos I was murdered in the Lisbon Regicide; his heir-apparent Prince Luís Filipe was also fatally wounded in the attack. Because Luís Filipe survived his father by about 20 minutes, the Guinness Book of Records identifies him as the second-shortest reigning monarch. However, according to the Portuguese tradition, the new monarch must be proclaimed by the Cortes Gerais; thus, the reign of Luís Filipe is disputed and not officially recognised. His younger brother, Manuel, who survived the attack, became the new king following his acclamation in the Cortes. [1]
[5]
Daughter of Xiaoming
Emperor of Northern Wei
1 April 528 Less than a day Proclaimed "Emperor" as an infant by her grandmother, Empress Dowager Hu, who passed her off as male. Later that same day, Hu admitted she was actually female and proclaimed Yuan Zhao as emperor. Official historical records never listed her as a legitimate sovereign. [6]
[7]
[8]
Philip
Antipope
31 July 768 Less than a day Elected after the death of Pope Paul I. His election was declared invalid, and he was declared guilty of simony; having been stripped of the pontifical garments, he was then personally forced to return to his monastery. [9]
Wanyan Chenglin
Emperor of Jin
9 February 1234 Less than a day Emperor Aizong abdicated in his favor while they were still besieged by the Mongols at Caizhou, then committed suicide by hanging. Killed while leading a charge in the streets of Caizhou [10]
Celestine II
Antipope
13/14 December 1124 Less than a day Elected after the death of Pope Callixtus II. Abdicated a couple of hours into his papacy due to factional violence breaking out during the investment ceremony [11]
Michael II
Emperor of Russia
15 March 1917 Less than a day
(disputed)
Succeeded after the abdication of Nicholas II. Made his accession conditional on the decision of the Provisional Government, contrary to the wishes of Nicholas, who abdicated without informing either. Numerous questions surround the existence of any "reign", starting with the legality, or lack thereof, of Nicholas's abdication to his brother while bypassing his son Alexei. [12]
Min Shin Saw
King of Burma
1167 Less than a day Succeeded after the death of his father Sithu I, who was smothered by his younger son Narathu. Min Shin Saw was assassinated that same night on his brother's order. [13]
Vira Bahu I
King of Polonnaruwa
1196 Less than a day Succeeded after the death of his father Nissanka Malla and crowned at night. He was assassinated at dawn by the commander-in-chief Tavuru Senevirat. [14]
Michael
Emperor of Trebizond
(first reign)
30 July 1341 Less than a day Acclaimed emperor after arriving with the intention to marry Irene Palaiologina, who had been overthrown by Anna Anachoutlou while the voyage was underway. He was deposed and imprisoned on that same night by Anna. He recovered the throne in 1344 and reigned for five years. [15]
Soththisena
King of Anuradhapura
(Sinhala Kingdom)
434 Less than a day He succeeded his father Mahanama as king and was succeeded by his stepsister, Chattagahaka Jantu. According to the Lesser Chronicle (Cūḷavaṃsa) of Sri Lanka, King Soththisena, the shortest reigning king of Sri Lanka, ascended the throne in the morning and was assassinated that evening in a palace conspiracy. [16]

Other monarchs who reigned for less than a week[edit]

Portrait Monarch Reign Length Notes Ref.
Napoleon II
Emperor of the French
4–6 April 1814
(first reign)
2 days
(disputed)
His father Napoleon Bonaparte was declared deposed by the French senate on 4 April 1814, but his formal abdication wasn't proclaimed until two days later. On 6 April, Napoleon renounced all personal rights to the throne and also those of his descendants. The French Empire was subsequently replaced by the restored Kingdom of France under Louis XVIII. [17]
Louis Philippe II
King of the French
24–26 February 1848 2 days
(disputed)
His grandfather Louis Philippe I abdicated on 24 February 1848, following the French Revolution of 1848. The Second Republic was proclaimed two days later. He was later recognized by monarchist loyalists as "Louis Philippe II" or "Philip VII". [18]
[19]
Khalid bin Barghash
Sultan of Zanzibar
25–27 August 1896 2 days Succeeded after the death of his cousin, Hamad bin Thuwaini, who was likely poisoned by Khalid. He was forced to flee during the Anglo-Zanzibar War, which only lasted less than an hour. [20]
Dục Đức
Emperor of Vietnam
20–23 July 1883 3 days Succeeded after the death of his uncle and adoptive father, Tự Đức. He was deposed and imprisoned by his regents Nguyễn Văn, Tôn Thất and Tran Tien. He died of starvation three months later. [21]
Xiaowen
King of Qin (China)
250 BC 3 days Succeeded after the death of his father, King Zhaoxiang. It is speculated that he was poisoned by chancellor Lü Buwei. [22]
Inayatullah Khan
King of Afghanistan
14–17 January 1929 3 days Succeeded after the abdication and flight of his brother, Amanullah Khan, during the uprising of Habibullāh Kalakāni. Abdicated in favour of Kalakani after he captured Kabul [23]
Dipendra
King of Nepal
1–4 June 2001 3 days Proclaimed king after the murder of his father Birendra and most of his family in the Nepalese royal massacre, where he also shot himself and was left in a coma. Died of his injuries without regaining consciousness [24]
Stephen (II)
Pope
22 (or 23) – 25 (or 26) March 752 3 days
(disputed)
Elected after the death of Pope Zachary. Died of a stroke. His pontificate is ambiguous because he died before his episcopal consecration. Because of this, he was removed from the official List of popes in 1961, and Pope Stephen III was redesignated as Pope Stephen II. [25]
Lê Long Việt
Emperor of Vietnam
1005 3 days Succeeded after the death of his father, Lê Đại Hành. Assassinated on orders of his brother Lê Long Đĩnh, who succeeded him. [26]
Lê Quang Trị
Emperor of Vietnam
1516 3 days Succeeded at the age of 8 after the murder of Lê Tương Dực. Murdered. [27]
John II
King of Portugal
(first reign)
11–15 November 1477 4 days King of Portugal for a brief period following his father's retirement to a monastery. After he returned, John abdicated. He became the monarch again in 1481. [28]
Crateuas
King of Macedon
399 BC 3 / 4 days Succeeded Archelaus I as king; little is known about him. Some historians believe that Crateuas was one of several conspirators in Archelaus' death and that the claim that Crateuas held the throne after him is an embellishment. [29]
[30]
John I
King of France and Navarre
15–20 November 1316 5 days Posthumous child of Louis X; king for the five days he lived. [31]
Mahinda VI
King of Polonnaruwa
1187 5 days Took the throne after killing Vijayabahu II. He was killed by Vijayabahu II's sub-king, Nissanka Malla. [32]
Ioan Joldea
Prince of Moldavia
September 1552 2–8 days Succeeded after the assassination of Stephen VI by his boyars after a failed invasion of Transylvania. His reign length is disputed. [33]
Baeda Maryam III
Emperor of Ethiopia
April 1826 Few days Placed on the throne by Dejazmach Haile Maryam, the governor of Semien, but was deposed by Ras Marye of Yejju a few days later, who restored Gigar to the throne. [34]

Other monarchs who reigned for less than a month[edit]

Portrait Monarch Reign Length Reason for accession Reason for reign's end
Henry V
King of France
2–9 August 1830 7 days
(disputed)
Abdications of Charles X and Louis XIX, his grandfather and uncle, during the July Revolution Proclamation hijacked by regent Louis Philippe of Orleans who chose not to announce it as expected. The National Assembly then proclaimed Louis Philippe the King of the French, and Henry marched into exile.
Indra Bhattaraka
King of Eastern Chalukyas
673 7 days Made himself the monarch following the death of his elder brother Jayasimha I Succeeded by his son Vishnuvardhana II, likely abdicated or was deposed
Sigeric
King of the Visigoths
16–22 August 415 7 days Assassination of Ataulf by a former retainer of Sigeric's slain brother, Sarus Assassinated and replaced by Ataulf's relative Wallia. Some lists of kings exclude him for considering him a usurper.
Thong Lan
King of Ayutthaya
1388–1389 7 days Death of his father, Borommarachathirat I Deposed and executed by Ramesuan
Zein Pun
King of Martaban
April–May 1330 7 days Assassinated King Saw Zein Assassinated by Sanda Min Hla, widow of Saw Zein
Zimri
King of Israel
885 BC or 876 BC 7 days Assassinated King Elah Committed suicide while under siege by Omri, who disputed the crown. His name became a byword for traitor.
Muhammad al-Badr
King of Yemen
19–26 September 1962 8 days Death of his father, Ahmad bin Yahya Monarchy abolished, although he would lead the pro-monarchist forces during the North Yemen Civil War, until 1970
Saad
Emir of Kuwait
15–24 January 2006 9 days Death of Jaber III Deposed by the National Assembly on the grounds of poor health
Irina Godunova
Tsarina of Russia
17–26 January 1598 9 days
(disputed)
Proclaimed after the death of her husband and distant cousin Feodor I. Ruled for 9 days as nominal tsar. Abdicated in favour of her brother Boris Godunov. Her reign is sometimes counted as having ended on February 21, when her brother Boris was formally elected tsar by the Boyars.
Jane
Queen of England and Ireland
10–19 July 1553 9 days
(disputed)
Proclaimed at the Tower of London, per the will of her cousin Edward VI Deposed and executed by Edward's sister, Mary I
Henry II
King of Haiti
8–18 October 1820 10 days
(disputed)
Suicide of his father, Henry I Murdered before being formally proclaimed. The kingdom was subsequently annexed by the Republic of Haiti.
Igor II
Grand Prince of Kiev
2–13 August 1146 11 days Death of his brother Vsevolod II, announced on 1 August and proclaimed on 2 August Forced to abdicate and replaced by Iziaslav II
Xuantong
Emperor of Great Qing
(second reign)
1–12 July 1917 11 days Restored by monarchist general Zhang Xun; he had last been emperor in 1912. Restoration failed due to lack of support. Later became Emperor of Manchukuo
Urban VII
Pope
15–27 September 1590 12 days Elected after the death of Sixtus V Died of malaria. Shortest-reigning Pope recognized by the Holy See
Louis II
King of Holland
1–13 July 1810 13 days Abdication and flight of Louis I after being pressured by Napoleon Kingdom annexed by Napoleon
Eleanor
Queen of Navarre
28 January – 12 February 1479 14 days Proclaimed following the death of her father, John II Died
Boniface VI
Pope
April 896 15 days Elected after the death of Formosus Unclear; he died of gout or was deposed according to different sources. His election was declared null and void in 898.
Ali Ahmad Khan
Emir of Afghanistan
17 January – 1 February 1929 15 days Proclaimed Emir in Jalalabad in protest for Inayatullah Khan's abdication on Habibullah Kalakani Captured and ransomed to Kalakani, who had him executed
Ælfweard
King of Wessex
17 July – 2 August 924 16 days
(disputed)
Death of his father, Edward the Elder Died. May have reigned in dispute with his elder brother Æthelstan, who succeeded him
Celestine IV
Pope
25 October – 10 November 1241 16 days Elected after the death of Gregory IX Died of natural causes
Napoleon II
Emperor of the French
(second reign)
22 June – 7 July 1815 16 days Abdication of his father, Napoleon I Empire abolished, replaced by the Kingdom of France
Shang
Emperor of Tang
8–25 July 710 17 days Assassination of his father, Emperor Zhongzong, by Empress Wei and her daughter Li Guo'er who wanted to use the young Shang as their puppet Deposed; Wei and Li Guo'er were murdered. Most traditional historians did not consider him legitimate and do not include him in the list of emperors of the Tang dynasty, but modern historians usually do.
Anikanga
King of Polonnaruwa
1209 17 days Assassinated his son, King Dharmasoka, who was an infant Assassinated by General Vikkantacamunakka, who then surrendered control to former queen Lilavati
Quintillus
Roman Emperor
270 17–77 days Death of his brother, Claudius Gothicus Assassinated or committed suicide
Robert I
Count of Hiémois [fr]
19 July – 6 August 1027 18 days Was given a small state by his brother Richard III, Duke of Normandy Death of his brother, at which point he became Duke of Normandy and left the title
Sisinnius
Pope
15 January – 4 February 708 20 days Elected after the death of John VII Died, possibly of gout
Theodore II
Pope
December 897 20 days Elected after the deposition of Romanus Died
Muawiya II
Caliph of Islam
683–684 20 days to 4 months Death of his father, Yazid I Died of disease
Gordian II
Roman Emperor
March – April 238 22 days Father and son co-emperors proclaimed in rebellion against Maximinus Thrax in the so-called Year of the Six Emperors Killed at the Battle of Carthage
Gordian I
Roman Emperor
Committed suicide upon learning of his son's death
Marcellus II
Pope
9 April – 1 May 1555 23 days Elected after the death of Julius III Died of a stroke
Cem
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
28 May – 20 June 1481 23 days
(disputed)
Proclaimed himself Sultan in Anatolia after the death of his father, Mehmed II Fled to Mamluk Egypt after being defeated by his brother, Bayezid II
Damasus II
Pope
17 July – 9 August 1048 24 days Installed by Henry III of Germany after deposing Benedict IX Died of malaria or poison
Rǫgnvaldr Óláfsson
King of Mann and the Isles
6–30 May 1249 24 days Death of his brother Haraldr Óláfsson in a shipwreck Assassinated by his cousin and successor, Haraldr Guðrøðarson
Constantine I
Emperor of Russia
1–25 December 1825 24 days
(disputed)
Proclaimed after the death of his brother, Alexander I Refused to assume the throne because he had secretly renounced all rights in 1823 in order to marry Joanna Grudzińska. His younger brother became Nicholas I.
Zhao Fu
Emperor of Song
26 March 1129 – 20 April 1129 25 days (disputed) Ascended the throne after his father, Emperor Gaozong, was forced to abdicated amidst a mutiny Forced to abdicate in favour of his father. He is not considered a legitimate emperor by most historians.
Milan Obrenović II
Prince of Serbia
25 June – 8 July 1839 26 days Abdication of his father, Miloš Obrenović I Died of tuberculosis
Pius III
Pope
22 September – 18 October 1503 27 days Elected after the death of Alexander VI Died of sepsis in a leg wound
Leo XI
Pope
1–27 April 1605 27 days Elected after the death of Clement VIII Died
Liu He
Emperor of Han
74 BC 27 days Installed by regent Huo Guang Deposed by Huo Guang
Taichang
Emperor of Great Ming
28 August – 26 September 1620 29 days Death of his father, the Wanli Emperor. Died of disease
Ptolemy XI
Pharaoh of Egypt
80 BC <1 month Installed as husband and co-ruler of Berenice III Murdered Berenice and was killed by a mob
Praudha Raya
King of Sangama dynasty
1485 <1 month Deposed Deposed by Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya
David Tiberius
Eastern Roman Emperor
September–October 641 <1 month Made co-emperors of their brother Heraclius II by their mother, Empress Martina. Deposed by Constans II

Other monarchs who reigned for less than three months[edit]

Portrait Monarch Reign Length Reason for accession Reason for reign's end
Shallum
King of Israel
752–745 BC 1 month Assassinated King Zechariah Assassinated and replaced by Menahem
Napoleon I
King of Spain
6 May – 6 June 1808 31 days
(1 month)
Forced abdications of Charles IV and Ferdinand VII in Bayonne, and their subsequent imprisonment in France Designated his brother Joseph Bonaparte as King of Spain. Usually not counted as a King of Spain unlike his brother
Antipope Victor IV
Pope
March–May 1138 ≈1 month Proclaimed after the death of Antipope Anacletus II Through the influence of Bernard of Clairvaux, he was induced to make his submission to Pope Innocent II. Innocent II initially restored him as cardinal of SS. Apostoli, but in the Second Lateran Council of April 1139, all former adherents of Anacletus II were condemned and deposed. He then retired to the priorate of S. Eusebio in Fontanella.
Reccared II
King of the Visigoths
February–March 612 ≈1 month Death of his father, Sisebut Died
Charles II
Duke of Parma
(second reign)
April–17 May 1849 ≈1 month Restored by Austrian troops after fleeing during the Revolutions of 1848 Abdicated in favour of his son, Charles III
Benedict V
Pope
22 May – 23 June 964 32 days (1 month, 1 day) Elected after the death of John XII Deposed by Emperor Otto I
John Paul I
Pope
26 August – 28 September 1978 33 days (1 month, 2 days) Elected after the death of Paul VI Died of a heart attack
António
King of Portugal
23 July – 25 August 1580 33 days (1 month, 2 days)
(disputed)
Proclaimed after the death of his uncle Henry due to popular support Forced to abdicate after being defeated by his cousin Philip I. Reigned in the Azores until 1583
Zhongzong
Emperor of Tang
(first reign)
23 January – 26 February 684 34 days
(1 month, 3 days)
Death of his father, Emperor Gaozong Deposed by his mother, Empress Dowager Wu
Umberto II
King of Italy
9 May – 12 June 1946 34 days (1 month, 3 days) Abdication of his father, Victor Emmanuel III Monarchy abolished after republican victory in the 1946 Italian institutional referendum
Adrian V
Pope
11 July – 18 August 1276 38 days
(1 month, 7 days)
Elected following the death of Innocent V Died
Salomon III
Emperor of Ethiopia
(Second reign)
16 June – 25 July 1799 39 days Restored by Ras Mare'ed and Ras Guebre while Tekle Giyorgis I was campaigning in Begemder Deposed by Dejazmach Gugsa and Dejazmach Alula, who were part of the army that defeated Salomon's supporters
Li Zicheng
Emperor of Great Shun
25 April – 4 June 1644 40 days
(1 month, 10 days)
Proclaimed himself Emperor after his capture of Beijing and the suicide of the Chongzhen Emperor Abandoned Beijing after his defeat by the Manchus at the Battle of Shanhai Pass. He was killed under unclear circumstances around 1645, likely in battle.
Sweyn Forkbeard
King of England
25 December 1013 – 3 February 1014 40 days (1 month, 9 days) Declared king after conquering London Died
Tirigan
King of Sumer
c. 2050 BC 40 days Succeeded Si'um Sumer annexed by Utu-hengal of Uruk
Umor
Khan of Bulgaria
766 40 days Likely elected after the deposition and flight of Sabin Unknown. Could have died or been deposed by Toktu
Antipater Etesias
King of Macedon
279 BC 45 days Became king after the abdication of Meleager Deposed by Sosthenes
Ala ud-din Sikandar Shah
Tughlaq dynasty
22 January − 8 March 1394 45 days (1 month and 14 days) Succeeded Muhammad Shah III Died of natural causes
Xerxes II
Shah of Persia and Pharaoh of Egypt
424 BC 45 days
(1 month, 15 days)
Death of his father, Artaxerxes I Assassinated by Sogdianus, his illegitimate half-brother and successor
Ying Ziying
King of Qin
October–December 207 BC 46 days Enthroned by Zhao Gao after the assassination of Qin Er Shi Assassinated by Xiang Yu
Abd al-Rahman V
Caliph of Cordoba
2 December 1023 – 17 January 1024 46 days
(1 month, 15 days)
Overthrew Al-Qasim al-Ma'mun Assassinated by Muhammad III
Ferdinand VII
King of Spain
(first reign)
19 March – 6 May 1808 48 days
(1 month, 17 days)
Abdication of his father, Charles IV, as a result of the Mutiny of Aranjuez Forced to abdicate on his father by Napoleon I, who unbeknownst to Ferdinand, had been forced to abdicate his rights on Napoleon himself on the same day. The abdications were declared null by the Council of Castile on 11 August, recognizing Ferdinand VII as king despite being imprisoned by the French at Château de Valençay. Napoleon recognized Ferdinand VII on 11 December 1813, by the Treaty of Valençay, and he remained on the throne until his death in 1833.
Sylvester III
Pope
20 January – 10 March 1045 49 days
(1 month, 19 days)
Elected after a revolt expelled Benedict IX from Rome Deposed by Benedict IX
Saw E
King of Martaban
April–June 1330 49 days Assassination of Zein Pun by former queen consort Sanda Min Hla Assassinated by Sanda Min Hla
Magnus the Strong
King of Denmark
15 April – 4 June 1134 50 days
(1 month, 19 days)
Appointed as co-king of Denmark with his father king Niels as senior king.
Crowned as king of Denmark by Emperor Lothair III 15 April 1134
Killed at the Battle of Fotevik
Benedict IX
Pope
(second reign)
10 March – 1 May 1045 52 days
(1 month, 22 days)
Recaptured Rome and expelled Sylvester III Abdicated on his godfather, Gregory VI, in order to marry his cousin
Ningzong
Khagan and Emperor of Great Yuan
23 October – 14 December 1332 52 days
(1 month, 22 days)
Elected after the death of his uncle Emperor Wenzong Died
Pedro IV
King of Portugal
10 March – 2 May 1826 53 days
(1 month, 23 days)
Death of his father, John VI Abdicated in favour of his daughter, Maria II, and returned to Brazil where he reigned as Pedro I until 1831.
Charles II
King of Hungary and Croatia
31 December 1385 – 24 February 1386 55 days
(1 month, 24 days)
Deposed Mary of Hungary Assassinated by Mary's mother, Elizabeth of Bosnia
Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor
King of Malaysia
31 January 2024 – present 56 days Elected for the period 2024–2029 Currently reigning
Gregory VIII
Pope
21 October – 17 December 1187 57 days
(1 month, 25 days)
Elected following the death of Urban III Died
Feodor II
Tsar of Russia
23 April – 20 June 1605 58 days
(1 month, 28 days)
Death of his father, Boris I Assassinated by boyars supporting False Dmitry I
Khusrau Khan
Sultan of Delhi
10 July – 5 September 1320 58 days Assassination of his homosexual partner and emperor Mubarak Shah Assassinated by Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq who founded the Tughlaq dynasty
Al-Mansur Abu Bakr
Sultan of Egypt and Syria
7 June – 5 August 1341 59 days
(1 month, 29 days)
Death of his father, An-Nasir Muhammad Deposed and executed
Joachim Ernest
Duke of Anhalt
13 September – 12 November 1918 60 days
(1 month, 30 days)
Death of his father, Edward Monarchy abolished
Diadumenian
Roman Emperor
May–June 218 1–2 months Made co-emperor by his father, Macrinus Assassinated after the deposition of Macrinus; he was also declared Enemy of Rome and subjected to Damnatio memoriae.
Herennius Etruscus
Roman Emperor
May–June 251 1–2 months Made co-emperor by his father, Decius Killed at the Battle of Abritus
Edgar II
King of the English
After 14 October 1066 – early December 1066 1–2 months Elected by the Witenagemot after Harold II's death Submitted to William the Conqueror
Ragibagh Khan
Khagan and Emperor of Great Yuan
October – 14 November 1328 1–2 months Installed following the death of his father, Yesün Temür Died after a civil war broke out, probably murdered by a rival claimant
Yuan Zhao
Emperor of Wei
2 April – May 528 <2 months Proclaimed by Empress Dowager Hu Deposed and executed along with Hu. Traditional historians treat him ambiguously, and subsequent Northern Wei emperors never explicitly declared whether he was an emperor or not. He was not given an imperial posthumous name or temple name, but neither was his imperial status declared null.
Leo V
Pope
Late July – mid-September 903 <2 months Elected after the death of Benedict IV Deposed and imprisoned by Christopher, dying in February 904 under unclear circumstances. The Catholic Church considers Christopher an antipope and stretches Leo V's pontificate to the accession of Sergius III in January 904.
Amyntas II
King of Macedon
394/393 BC <2 months Death of his relative Aeropus II Assassinated and succeeded by Aeropus II's son Pausanias
John IV
Prince of Moldavia
November–December 1577 <2 months Deposed Peter IV Deposed and executed after an Ottoman-Polish-Wallachian invasion restored Peter IV
Salim II
Sultan of Ndzuwani
February – 2 April 1891[35] <2 months Succeeded his father Abdallah III Unknown
Peter VII
Prince of Moldavia
August – September/October 1592 <2–3 months Deposed Alexander V Deposed and mutilated by Aaron I, who then handed him to the Ottomans to be executed
Ibrahim ibn al-Walid
Caliph of Islam
4 October – 4 December 744 61 days
(2 months)
Death of his brother, Yazid III Abdicated in favour of Marwan II, who murdered him in 750
Ciubăr Vodă
Prince of Moldavia
c. December 1448 – January 1449 2 months
(disputed)
A Croatian-Hungarian aristocrat sent by John Hunyadi to depose Roman II in favor of Peter III, but said to have reigned himself as Prince after Peter III fled Unknown. Alexander II became Prince in February 1449. Some historians believe he merely occupied the country on Hunyadi's behalf and did not actually claim the throne.
Mamia I
King of Imereti
(third reign)
November 1713 – 5 January 1714 2 months Recovered the throne after defeating George VII at the Battle of Kutaisi Died
Meleager
King of Macedon
279 BC 2 months Death of his brother Ptolemy Keraunos Forced to abdicate by his troops
Trịnh Cán
Lord of Tonkin
September–October 1782 ≈2 months Death of his father, Trịnh Sâm Forced to abdicate on Trịnh Khải
Gyanendra
King of Nepal
(first reign)
7 November – 7 January 1951 61 days
(2 months)
Proclaimed when he was 4 years old by Prime Minister Mohan Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, in defiance of Gyanendra's grandfather Tribhuvan, who wanted to end the Rana family's hereditary occupation of the government. Afterward, Tribhuvan and most Nepalese royals, including Gyanendra, departed for India. Tribhuvan returned and resumed rule after the Ranas agreed to his terms. Gyanendra would become the last king of Nepal five decades later, after the Nepalese royal massacre.
Innocent IX
Pope
29 October – 30 December 1591 62 days
(2 months, 1 days)
Elected after the death of Gregory XIV Died
Didius Julianus
Roman Emperor
28 March – 1 June 193 66 days
(2 months, 5 days)
Bought the throne in auction after the assassination of Pertinax Deposed and executed. Also subjected to Damnatio memoriae
Frederick Charles
King of Finland and Karelia
9 October – 14 December 1918 66 days
(2 months, 5 days)
Elected by the Parliament of Finland Renounced the throne without entering the country, which later became a republic
Frederik X
King of Denmark
14 January 2024 – present 73 days Became king upon the abdication of his mother, Margrethe II.
Frederick Christian
Elector of Saxony
5 October – 17 December 1763 74 days
(2 months, 12 days)
Death of his father, Frederick Augustus II Died
Muhammad II
Caliph of Cordoba
(second reign)
10 May – 23 July 1010 74 days
(2 months, 13 days)
Deposed Sulayman ibn al-Hakam Assassinated and replaced by Hisham II
Petronius Maximus
Western Roman Emperor
17 March – 31 May 455 75 days
(2 months, 14 days)
Elected by the Roman Senate after assassinating Valentinian III Murdered by a mob while trying to flee Rome from the impending Vandal attack
Alexios V
Eastern Roman Emperor
27 January – 12 April 1204 75 days
(2 months, 7 days)
Deposed co-emperors Isaac II and Alexios IV Fled Constantinople during the Latin Sack of 1204. Later captured by Crusaders and executed
Edward V
King of England
9 April – 25 June 1483 77 days
(2 months, 16 days)
Death of his father, Edward IV Deposed and imprisoned by his uncle Richard III, who claimed he was illegitimate. He is presumed murdered in captivity.
Chūkyō
Emperor of Japan
13 May – 29 July 1221 78 days (2 months, 17 days) Enthroned following the deposition of his father, Emperor Juntoku, in preparation for the Jōkyū War Due to the Jōkyū War, the imperial court army was defeated by the Kamakura Shogunate army and he was deposed. Not officially recognized as Emperor until 1870 because of doubts raised by his short reign
Tupac Huallpa
Sapa Inca
Began c. 26 July 1533, ended 12–27 October 1533 c. 78–93 days Installed as puppet Inca by the Spanish after the assassination of Atahualpa Died of disease or poison[36]
Stephen II
Despot of Serbia
1 April – 20 June 1459 80 days
(2 months, 19 days)
Married a daughter of the late Despot Lazar Branković Serbia annexed by the Ottoman Empire. Later became King of Bosnia for two years
Cuitláhuac
Great Speaker of the Triple Alliance
c. 29 June – September 1520 80 days
(2 months, 19 days)
Elected soon before or after leading a revolt against the Spanish who were holding his brother Moctezuma II hostage in Tenochtitlan Died of smallpox
Hongxian
Emperor of China
1 January – 22 March 1916 81 days
(2 months, 21 days)
Offered the throne after unanimous vote by the Representative Assembly Empire abolished after the monarchical restoration proved unexpectedly unpopular. Continued as President of the Republic of China until his death on 6 June
Amanullah Khan
King of Afghanistan
(second reign)
March – 23 May 1929 83 days Returned to contest the throne during the Afghan Civil War (1928–1929), in opposition to Habibullah Kalakani Fled to British India
Pertinax
Roman Emperor
1 January – 28 March 193 86 days
(2 months, 27 days)
Proclaimed after the assassination of Commodus Assassinated by his Praetorian Guards, who then auctioned off the throne to the highest bidder.
Berengaria
Queen of Castile
6 June – 31 August 1217 86 days
(2 months, 25 days)
Death of her brother, Henry I Abdicated in favour of her son, Ferdinand III
Christian Frederick
King of Norway
17 May – 14 August 1814 89 days
(2 months, 28 days)
Elected by the Norwegian Constituent Assembly Abdicated by the Convention of Moss and returned to Denmark, where he became king (as Christian VIII) in 1839. The Crown of Norway was assumed by his rival, Charles XIII of Sweden.
Philip I
King of Castile
27 June – 25 September 1506 90 days
(2 months, 29 days)
Recognized as regnant king with equal authority to his wife, Queen Joanna, by the Treaty of Villafáfila Died of typhoid or poison
Gebre Krestos
Emperor of Ethiopia
24 March – 8 June 1832 2–3 months (except for a short time during the first reign of Sahle Dengel) Proclaimed emperor by Ras Ali II of Yejju Died, possibly poisoned[37]
Florianus
Roman Emperor
July–September 276 <3 months Proclaimed after the death of his half-brother, Tacitus Assassinated by his own troops while campaigning against the rebel Probus
Sinmu
King of Silla
839 <3 months[a] Assassinated Minae of Silla Died from disease
Alexander III
Prince of Moldavia
December 1540 – February 1541 <3 months Assassination of Stephen V Deposed and later assassinated by Peter IV
Alexander V
Prince of Moldavia
June–August 1592 <3 months Aaron I deposed by the Ottoman Empire Deposed by Peter VII. In November he became the equally brief Prince of Wallachia, as Alexander III.
Alexander II
Prince of Moldavia
(third reign)
February – March or May 1455 2–4 months Deposed Peter Aaron Deposed by Peter Aaron and forced into exile, where he died on 25 May 1455
Shihabuddin Omar
Emperor of Khalji dynasty
5 January – April 1316 ~3 months Deposed Deposed by his elder brother Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, later died in exile
Tekle Giyorgis I
Emperor of Ethiopia
(Sixth reign)
24 March – June 1800 ~3 months Placed on the throne multiple times during the Zemene Mesafint.

Other monarchs who reigned for less than six months[edit]

Portrait Monarch Reign Length Reason for accession Reason for reign's end
Jehoahaz
King of Judah
609 BC 3 months Josiah killed at the Battle of Megiddo Deposed and imprisoned by Necho II
Vikramabahu II
King of Polonnaruwa
1196 3 months Assassination of his nephew Vira Bahu I Assassinated by his nephew Chodaganga I
Min Hla
King of Ava
August–November 1425 3 months Assassination of his father, Thihathu of Ava Assassinated by his stepmother, Shin Bo-Me
George VIII
King of Imereti
1716 3 months Deposed George VII with Ottoman support Fled back to Guria
Sriranga II
King of Aravidu dynasty
1614 ~4 months Deposed Deposed and killed by Jagga Raya, a noble
Shajar al-Durr
Sultan of Egypt[b]
2 May – 30 July 1250 90 days
(3 months)
Placed on the throne by the Mamluks after the assassination of Turanshah, the last member of the direct male line of the Ayyubid dynasty. Shajar al-Durr was previously the wife of the penultimate sultan As-Salih Ayyub (who died in 1249) and was chosen to provide the Mamluks with a link to the legitimate Ayyubid dynasty. Abdicated in favour of Aybak, her second husband
Otho
Roman Emperor
15 January – 16 April 69 91 days
(3 months, 1 day)
Proclaimed after the assassination of Galba. Committed suicide after the Battle of Bedriacum.
Murad V
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and Ottoman caliph
30 May – 31 August 1876 93 days
(3 months, 1 day)
Deposition of his uncle, Abdulaziz Deposed during the Great Eastern Crisis
Napoleon I
Emperor of the French
(second reign)
20 March – 22 June 1815 94 days
(3 months, 2 days)
Returned to Paris Abdicated in favour of Napoleon II
Sunjong of Goryeo
King of Goryeo
2 September – 5 December 1083
(3 months, 3 days)
95 days
(3 months, 3 days)
Ascended after his father
Mustafa I
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and Ottoman caliph
(first reign)
22 November 1617 – 26 February 1618 96 days
(3 months, 4 days)
Death of his brother, Ahmed I Deposed in favor of his nephew, Osman II. He reigned again for fifteen months after the assassination of Osman II in 1622, before he was deposed again.
Louis VII
Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt
25 April – 31 August 1678 96 days
(3 months, 6 days)
Death of his father, Louis VI Died of an infection
Dulce
Queen of León
23 September – 30 December 1230 97 days
(3 months, 7 days)
Proclaimed as co-monarchs following the death of their father Alfonso IX Renounced their rights to the throne following the Treaty of Benavente, accepting their brother Ferdinand III as sole monarch
Sancha
Queen of León
Jeconiah
King of Judah
9 December 598 BC – 15/16 March 597 BC 97 days
(3 months, 7 days)
Death of his father Jehoiakim at the Siege of Jerusalem Deposed and exiled to Babylon
Pupienus
Roman Emperor
April – July 238 99 days Co-emperors proclaimed by the Roman Senate in rebellion against Maximinus Thrax after the deaths of Gordian I and Gordian II, in the Year of the Six Emperors Assassinated by the Praetorian Guard. They were succeeded by Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I.
Balbinus
Roman Emperor
Frederick III
German Emperor and King of Prussia
9 March – 15 June 1888 98 days
(3 months, 6 days)
Death of his father, Wilhelm I Died of laryngeal cancer
Mishal
Emir of Kuwait
16 December 2023 – present 102 days Became emir after the death of his half-brother Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Currently reigning
Charles II
Duke of Parma
(first reign)
31 December 1847 – 19 April 1848 110 days
(3 months, 19 days)
Proclaimed after the death of Marie Louise of Parma Fled the country and abdicated in favour of his son, Charles III
Ibrahim Pasha
Wali of Egypt
20 July – 10 November 1848 113 days
(3 months, 21 days)
Succeeded his father Muhammad Ali after he was deemed incapable due to senility Died of exhaustion after travelling to Constantinople to be confirmed in office
Mindaugas II
King of Lithuania
11 July – 2 November 1918 114 days
(3 months, 22 days)
Accepted the throne after election by the Council of Lithuania Monarchy "suspended" by the council. Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic declared a month later
Sima Lun
Emperor of Jin
3 February – 31 May 301 117 days (3 months, 28 days)
(disputed)
Deposed his great-nephew Emperor Hui Forced to return the throne to Emperor Hui, and committed suicide shortly afterwards. Many historians do not consider him a legitimate emperor.
Aemilianus
Roman Emperor
June–September 253 3–4 months Proclaimed in rebellion against Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus Assassinated by his own troops
Ansprand
King of the Lombards
March–June 712 3–4 months Deposed Aripert II Died
Solamish
Sultan of Egypt and Syria
August–November 1279 <4 months Placed on the throne after his older brother Barakah was deposed by powerful emirs Deposed by his regent Qalawun, who took over as sultan
Renseneb
Pharaoh of Egypt
1777 BC 4 months Succeeded Khaankhre Sobekhotep Unknown. Could have been deposed by Hor
Philip IV
King of Macedon
May – September 297 BC 4 months Death of his father, Cassander Died of disease
Sivali
Queen of Anuradhapura
35 4 months Death of her brother Chulabhaya Deposed by her cousin Ilanaga
Christopher
Pope
October 903 – January 904 4 months
(disputed)
Deposed and imprisoned Leo V Deposed by Sergius III. Though counted as legitimate for most of history, he was removed from the Annuario Pontificio in the mid-20th century and is considered an antipope by the modern Catholic Church.
Susenyos II
Emperor of Ethiopia
August – 15 December 1770 4 months Elected by a principal council in Gondar after Tekle Haymanot II and Ras Mikael Sehul left for Tigray Fled after Ras Mikael Sehul returned to Gondar and restored Tekle Haymanot II
Stephen VIII
Prince of Moldavia
24 April – August 1595 4–5 months Deposed Aaron I Deposed by Jeremy I, with Polish support. Stephen tried to recover the throne in December, but he was defeated at the Battle of Suceava, captured, and impaled.
Michael I
Prince of Moldavia
May–September 1600 4–5 months Invaded Moldavia and deposed Jeremy I, who fled to Poland Returned to Wallachia after defeat in the Battle of Mirăslău. Jeremy I was restored.
Andreyas
Emperor of Ethiopia
1429–March 1430 4–6 months Succeeded his father Yeshaq I Died at a young age
Wazir Ali Khan
Nawab of Awadh
21 September 1797 – 21 January 1798 122 days
(4 months)
Death of his uncle and adoptive father, Asaf-ud-Daula Deposed by the East India Company
Hiệp Hòa
Emperor of Đại Nam
30 July – 29 November 1883 122 days
(3 months, 30 days)
Deposition of his nephew, Dục Đức Deposed and forced to commit suicide
Nepherites II
Pharaoh of Egypt
mid-late 380 BC 4 months Death of his father, Hakor Deposed and likely killed by Nectanebo I
Khande Rao Holkar II
Maharaja of Indore
13 November 1843 – 17 March 1844 125 days
(4 months, 4 days)
Death of his cousin and adoptive father, Hari Rao Holkar Died suddenly
Abd al-Malik Imad ad-Dawla
King of Zaragoza
24 January – 31 May 1110 127 days
(4 months, 7 days)
Death of his father, Al-Musta'in II, at the Battle of Valtierra Deposed by the Almoravids. Fled to Rueda de Jalón, where he ruled as a vassal of Alfonso I of Aragon until his death in 1130
Faisal I
King of Syria
8 March – 14 July 1920 128 days
(4 months, 6 days)
Crowned by the Syrian Congress Surrendered to a French ultimatum and was expelled to Mandatory Iraq, where he was made King in 1921 and reigned until his death in 1933. The Arab Kingdom of Syria was abolished on July 25, 1920, and replaced with the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon.
Michael V
Eastern Roman Emperor
13 December 1041 – 21 April 1042 129 days
(4 months, 8 days)
Death of his adoptive father, Michael IV Deposed by Zoë and Theodora III
Wenzong
Khagan and Emperor of Great Yuan
(first reign)
16 October 1328 – 26 February 1329 133 days
(4 months, 10 days)
Installed following the death of Yesün Temür Khan Abdicated in favour of his brother Emperor Mingzong
Charles IV
King of Naples
22 February – 7 July 1495 135 days
(4 months, 14 days)
Crowned after conquering the city of Naples Left Italy after defeat in the First Italian War
Liu Bian
Emperor of Han
15 May – 28 September 189 136 days
(4 months, 13 days)
Death of his father, Emperor Ling Deposed and replaced by his younger half-brother, Emperor Xian
Alexander Hangerli
Prince of Moldavia
7 March – 24 July 1807 139 days
(4 months, 17 days)
Appointed by Selim III Deposed and replaced by Scarlat Callimachi
Yonas
Emperor of Ethiopia
18 August 1797 – 4 January 1798 140 days
(4 months, 18 days)
Proclaimed Emperor by Ras Isra'el of Begemder Deposed by Gugsa of Yejju
Hisamuddin of Selangor
King of Malaysia
14 April – 1 September 1960 140 days
(4 months, 18 days)
Elected after the death of Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan Died of illness
Ntare V
King of Burundi
8 July – 28 November 1966 143 days
(4 months, 20 days)
Deposed his father, Mwambutsa IV Deposed by Prime Minister Michel Micombero, who became the dictatorial first president of Burundi
Edward
Duke of Anhalt
21 April – 13 September 1918 145 days
(4 months, 22 days)
Death of his brother, Frederick II Died
Chong
Emperor of Han
20 September 144 – 15 February 145 148 days
(4 months, 26 days)
Death of his father, Emperor Shun Died
John V
Eastern Roman Emperor
(third reign)
17 September 1390 – 16 February 1391 152 days
(4 months, 30 days)
Recovered the throne from his grandson, John VII, who had deposed him months before Died
Hostilian
Roman Emperor
July–November 251 <5 months Made co-emperor by Trebonianus Gallus after the death of Hostilian's father and brother at the Battle of Abritus Died from plague or poison
Peter Aaron
Prince of Moldavia
(first reign)
October 1451 – February 1452 <5 months Assassinated Bogdan II Deposed by Alexander II
İsa
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
January – May 1403 3–5 months
(disputed)
Defeated by his brother Mehmed I at the Battle of Ulubad Strangled in September 1403
Ælfwynn
Lady of Mercia
12 June – December 918 5 months Death of her mother, Æthelflæd Abdicated in favour of her uncle Edward I
Eraric
King of the Ostrogoths
541 5 months Elected after the murder of Ildibad Assassinated by Totila's followers
Valagamba
King of Anuradhapura
(first reign)
103 BC 5 months Ascended the throne following the assassination of his brother Khallata Naga Deposed by Pulahatta. He regained the throne in 88 BC.
Abd al-Rahman IV
Caliph of Cordoba
29 April – September 1018 Around 5 months Proclaimed Caliph after Ali ibn Hammud al-Nasir's assassination Assassinated. Title disputed with Al-Qasim al-Ma'mun
Innocent V
Pope
21 January – 22 June 1276 153 days
(5 months, 1 day)
Elected following the death of Gregory X Died
John VII
Eastern Roman Emperor
14 April – 17 September 1390 156 days
(5 months, 3 days)
Deposed his grandfather, John V Restoration of John V
Sonni Baru
King of Songhai
6 November 1492 – 12 April 1493 158 days Succeeded his father Sonni Ali Fled after being defeated at the Battle of Anfao
Celestine V
Pope
5 July – 13 December 1294 161 days
(5 months, 8 days)
Elected following an interregnum Resigned
Roman II
Prince of Moldavia
15 September 1447 – 23 February 1448 161 days
(5 months, 8 days)
Assassinated his uncle, Stephen II, who had previously deposed and blinded Roman's father, Iliaş. He was co-prince with his other uncle Peter III. Fled to Poland where he died in July 1448. Thereafter Peter III ruled in solitary.
Yohannes II
Emperor of Ethiopia
7 May – 18 October 1769 165 days
(5 months, 12 days)
Summoned by Ras Mikael Sehul after the murder of his great-nephew Iyoas I Poisoned on the orders of Ras Mikael Sehul[39]
Lê Túc Tông
Emperor of Đại Việt
17 July – 30 December 1504 166 days
(5 months, 13 days)
Death of his father, Lê Hiến Tông Died of illness
Al-Mustansir
Caliph of Cairo
13 June – 28 November 1261 168 days
(5 months, 15 days)
Proclaimed Caliph in Egypt after the Mongols sacked Baghdad and killed his nephew, Caliph Al-Musta'sim, in 1258 Killed in an ambush near Hit while trying to reconquer Iraq
Abu Bakr Shah
Tughlaq dynasty
15 March 1389 – 30 August 1390 168 days
(5 months, 15 days)
Succeeded Tughluq Khan Deposed and imprisoned by Muhammad Shah III
Tughluq Khan
Tughlaq dynasty
20 September 1388 – 14 March 1389 168 days
(5 months, 18 days)
Succeeded Firoz Shah Tughlaq Assassinanted shortly after his victory against Muhammad Shah III
Álvaro V
Manikongo
27 February – 14 August 1636 170 days
(5 months, 20 days)
Poisoned Álvaro IV Poisoned
Yazid III
Caliph of Islam
17 April – 3/4 October 744 171–172 days
(5 months, 17–18 days)
Likely assassinated his cousin, Al-Walid II Died of a brain tumor
Charles I
King of Norway
20 November 1449 – 13 May 1450 174 days
(5 months, 22 days)
Elected in Trondheim by a portion of the Norwegian Council, in defiance of Christian I of Denmark who had been elected by the other part Renounced his claim to Norway and recognized Christian I. He continued ruling as King of Sweden until he was also replaced there in 1457 by Christian I, and took exile in Poland.
Charles VIII
King of Sweden
(second reign)
9 August 1464 – 30 January 1465 174 days
(5 months, 21 days)
Returned from exile during a rebellion against Christian I Exiled again after defeat by Christian I's regent in Sweden, Archbishop Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna. He recovered the throne for a third time in 1467 and reigned until his death in 1470.
Gong
Emperor of Sui
18 December 617 – 12 June 618 176 days
(5 months, 25 days)
Installed as a puppet emperor by Li Yuan Deposed by Li Yuan, who established the Tang dynasty and later had Emperor Gong murdered
Al-Muntasir
Caliph of Islam
11 December 861 – 7 June 862 178 days
(5 months, 24 days)
Assassination of his father, Al-Mutawakkil Died of disease
Isaac II
Eastern Roman Emperor
(second reign)
1 August 1203 – 27/28 January 1204 179 days
(5 months, 26–27 days)
Restored to the throne after the flight of his brother Alexios III, who had imprisoned and blinded him in 1195 Deposed by Alexios V. Isaac II died soon afterwards under unclear, but possibly natural circumstances. Alexios IV was strangled on February 8.
Alexios IV
Eastern Roman Emperor
Proclaimed co-emperor with his father because of his deteriorated mental and physical state; he ruled alone in practice.
Heraclius II
Eastern Roman Emperor
May – October/November 641 <6 months Death of his father, Heraclius I Deposed, mutilated, and exiled to Rhodes by Constans II

Other monarchs who reigned for a year or less[edit]

Portrait Monarch Reign Length Reason for accession Reason for reign's end
Sarwe Iyasus
Emperor of Ethiopia
1433 4–8 months Succeeded his father Takla Maryam Died of Bubonic Plague
Zechariah
King of Israel
753–752 or 746–745 BC 6 months Death of his father, Jeroboam II Assassinated by his captain Shallum, who succeeded him.
Mark
King of Makuria
c. 747 6 months Crowned by the former king Zachary I after the deposition and exile of Abraham Assassinated by Abraham's supporters
Kamarnava II
Eastern Ganga dynasty
1015 6 months Succeeded Vajrahasta IV fate unknown, succeeded by Gundama II
Amda Seyon II
Emperor of Ethiopia
1494 6 months Succeeded his father Eskender Died at the age of 7, succeeded by his uncle Na'od
Shivaji IV
Kolhapur State
July 2, 1821-Jan 03, 1822 6 months Succeeded Sambhaji III Succeeded by Shahaji
Vallabharaja
King of Gurjara
c. 1008 6 months Crowned after his father Chamundaraja retired Died of smallpox while on campaign
Stephen VII
Prince of Moldavia
8 August 1563 – January 1564 6 months Deposed and assassinated John II Fled to Poland after the Ottomans refused to recognize him and restored Alexander IV, the prince before John II
Wu Sangui
Emperor of Great Zhou
March–August 1678 6 months Rebelled against the Qing dynasty and proclaimed himself Emperor in Hengyang Died
Hasan ibn Ali
Caliph of Islam
661 6–7 months Elected after the death of his father, Ali Abdicated in favor of Muawiyah I
Amha Selassie
Emperor of Ethiopia
12 September 1974 – 12 March 1975 181 days
(6 months)
Proclaimed by the Derg while he was receiving medical treatment in Switzerland, following the deposition of his father Haile Selassie. He did not accept this proclamation as legitimate and did not return to Ethiopia. Monarchy abolished
Shunzong
Emperor of Tang
28 February – 28 August 805 182 days
(6 months)
Death of his father, Emperor Dezong Abdicated in favour of his son Emperor Xianzong
Mingzong
Khagan and Emperor of Great Yuan
27 February – 30 August 1329 183 days
(6 months, 3 days)
Abdication of his brother Emperor Wenzong Died, possibly poisoned. Emperor Wenzong was restored to the throne.
Peter III
Emperor of All Russia
5 January – 9 July 1762 185 days
(6 months, 4 days)
Death of his aunt, Elizabeth I Deposed and possibly assassinated by his wife, Catherine II
Kale Kye-Taung Nyo
King of Ava
9 November 1425 – 16 May 1426 188 days
(6 months, 7 days)
Deposed his nephew, Min Hla Deposed by Mohnyin Thado
Henry VI
King of England
(second reign)
3 October 1470 – 11 April 1471 191 days
(6 months, 9 days)
Restored after Edward IV's flight during the 1470 Lincolnshire Rebellion Deposed by Edward IV after recapturing London and probably assassinated
Dafydd ap Gruffudd
Prince of Gwynedd and Wales
11 December 1282 – 22 June 1283 193 days
(6 months, 11 days)
Death of his brother, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, at the Battle of Orewin Bridge Captured in battle by Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn, and quartered on 3 October
William I
Prince of Albania
21 February – 3 September 1914 194 days
(6 months, 11 days)
Formally offered the throne by Albanian notables after being chosen for the position by the European Great Powers Fled to Italy amidst unrest related to the outbreak of World War I.
Jamshid bin Abdullah
Sultan of Zanzibar
1 July 1963 – 12 January 1964 195 days
(6 months, 11 days)
Death of his father, Abdullah bin Khalifa Monarchy abolished
Sogdianus
Shah of Persia and Pharaoh of Egypt
424–423 BC 6 months, 15 days Proclaimed himself after the death of his father Artaxerxes I, in defiance of the legitimate heir, his half-brother Xerxes II, whom he later had assassinated Assassinated by his other half-brother, Darius II
Jean Casimir-Perier
Co-Prince of Andorra
27 June 1894 – 16 January 1895 203 days
(6 months, 20 days)
Became Prince of Andorra as President of France Resigned
Constantius III
Western Roman Emperor
8 February – 2 September 421 206 days
(6 months, 23 days)
Made co-emperor by Honorius Died
Al-Qasim al-Ma'mun
Caliph of Cordoba
(second reign)
12 February – 9 September 1023 209 days
(6 months, 26 days)
Flight of Yahya al-Mu'tali from Cordoba Deposed and imprisoned
Duncan II
King of Scots
May – 12 November 1094 <7 months Crowned at Scone as a puppet of William the Conqueror, in rebellion against Donald III who retained control of the Scottish Highlands Killed in battle or assassinated after defeat
Alexander II
Prince of Moldavia
(first reign)
February – 12 October 1449 <7 months Deposed Peter III Deposed by Bogdan II. Recovered the throne in 1452
Peter Aaron
(second reign)
Prince of Moldavia
August 1454 – February 1455 <7 months Deposed Alexander II Deposed by Alexander II
Bardiya
Shah of Persia and Pharaoh of Egypt
early 522 BC – September 522 BC 7 months Rebelled in the Zagros Mountains against Cambyses II, then in Egypt, some time before Cambyses' death Assassinated by nobles led by Darius I, who claimed he was not the real Bardiya (brother of Cambyses) but a royal impostor
Pilaya Mara
King of Anuradhapura
91–90 BC 7 months Assassinated King Panya Mara Murdered by his chief minister, Dathika
Lilavati
Queen of Polonnaruwa
(third reign)
1211–1212 7 months Restored after deposition of Lokissara Deposed by Parakrama Pandyan II
Tarabya
King of Ava
April 1400 – before 25 November 1400 7 months Death of his father Swa Saw Ke Assassinated by his former tutor Thihapate of Tagaung after he became insane
Nedjemibre
Pharaoh of Egypt
c. 1780 BC or 1736 BC >7 months Succeeded Sewadjkare I Possibly deposed by Khaankhre Sobekhotep
Lulach
King of Scots and Mormaer of Moray
15 August 1057 – 17 March 1058 214 days
(7 months, 2 days)
Death of his stepfather Macbeth at the Battle of Lumphanan Assassinated by Malcolm III
Paul Deschanel
Co-Prince of Andorra
18 February 1920 – 21 September 1920 216 days
(7 months, 3 days)
Became Prince of Andorra as President of France Resigned
Galba
Roman Emperor
8 June 68 – 15 January 69 221 days
(7 months, 7 days)
Proclaimed in rebellion against Nero, who committed suicide Assassinated by Otho in vengeance for adopting Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir instead of him
Shang
Emperor of Han
13 February – 21 September 106 220 days
(7 months, 8 days)
Death of his father, Emperor He Died
Edmund II
King of the English
23 April – 30 November 1016 221 days
(7 months, 7 days)
Elected in London by part of the Witenagemot after the death of his father, Æthelred the Unready; another part elected King Cnut of Denmark in Southampton. Died, possibly assassinated, after agreeing to divide the kingdom with Cnut. Thereafter Cnut reigned over the whole of England.
Yahya al-Mu'tali
Caliph of Cordoba
(second reign)
9 November 1025 – 19 June 1026 222 days
(7 months, 10 days)
Reconquered Cordoba from Muhammad III Deposed in absentia by Hisham III. Became king of Malaga where he reigned until 1035
Guttorm
King of Norway
2 January – 11 August 1204 222 days
(7 months, 9 days)
Death of his uncle, Haakon III Died of illness
Kōbun
Emperor of Japan
9 January – 21 August 672 226 days
(7 months, 13 days)
Death of his father, Emperor Tenji Committed suicide after being deposed by his uncle, Emperor Tenmu. Only counted officially and given a posthumous name after 1870
Louis I
King of Spain
15 January – 31 August 1724 229 days
(7 months, 16 days)
Abdication of his father, Philip V Died of smallpox. Philip V regained the throne and reigned until his own death in 1746.
Jovian
Roman Emperor
27 June 363 – 17 February 364 232 days
(7 months, 19 days)
Elected after the death of Julian in the Battle of Samarra Died in his sleep, possibly suffocated by a defective brazier
Sulayman ibn al-Hakam
Caliph of Cordoba
(first reign)
8 November 1009 – 2 June 1010 236 days
(7 months, 24 days)
Declared Caliph after taking Cordoba from Muhammad II and freeing, but declining to reinstall former Caliph Hisham II Deposed by Muhammad II. Recovered the throne in 1013 and reigned for three years
Stephen IX
Pope
3 August 1057 – 29 March 1058 238 days
(7 months, 26 days)
Elected after the death of Victor II Died
Kiến Phúc
Emperor of Đại Nam
1 December 1883 – 31 July 1884 243 days
(7 months, 30 days)
Deposition of his adoptive great uncle, Hiệp Hòa Died of illness or poison
Theodore I
King of Corsica
12 March – 11 November 1736 244 days
(7 months, 30 days)
Elected king by Corsican rebels against the Republic of Genoa Left Corsica in a failed bid to get foreign support
Alfonso III
Duke of Modena and Reggio
11 December 1628 – July 1629 <8 months Death of his father, Cesare Abdicated in favor of his son to become a monk
Phelles
King of Tyre
879 BC 8 months Assassinated his brother Astarymus Assassinated by Ithobaal I
Ulpia Severina
Roman Empress
270 8 months Assassination of her husband, Aurelian. Only woman to have ruled the Roman Empire in her own right Election of Tacitus
Tacitus
Roman Emperor
25 September 275 – June 276 8 months Elected by the Roman Senate after the assassination of Aurelian Died of fever while returning from a military campaign in Gaul
Manava
King of Gauda
625–626 8 months Death of his father, Shashanka Kingdom conquered and divided between Harsha and Bhaskaravarman
Abd al-Wahid I
Caliph of the Almohad Empire
February–September 1224 8 months Elected after the death of his grand-nephew, Yusuf II Assassinated
George I
Prince of Moldavia
November 1399 – June 1400 8 months Succeeded his brother Stephen I while he was ill but still alive Deposed and imprisoned after invasion by Mircea I of Wallachia, who installed George's exiled half-brother, Alexander I
Amda Iyasus
Emperor of Ethiopia
1433–1434 8 months Succeeded his brother Sarwe Iyasus Unknown fate
Baeda Maryam II
Emperor of Ethiopia
15 April – December 1795 8 months Made emperor by Dejazmach Wolde Gabriel while Tekle Giyorgis I was absent from Gondar Deposed by Ras Aligaz and Tekle Giyorgis I restored
Ferdinand IV
Grand Duke of Tuscany
21 July 1859 – 22 March 1860 245 days
(8 months, 1 day)
Abdication of his father, Leopold II, after their flight in the Second Italian War of Independence Tuscany annexed by the Kingdom of Italy
Lê Nghi Dân
Emperor of Đại Việt
3 October 1459 – 6 June 1460 247 days
(8 months, 3 days)
Assassinated his half-brother, Lê Nhân Tông Deposed in favor of his other half-brother Lê Thánh Tông. He was exiled to Lạng Sơn and died shortly after.
Vitellius
Roman Emperor
16 April – 22 December 69 250 days
(8 months, 6 days)
Proclaimed in rebellion against Galba Assassinated
Jianwen
Emperor of Jin
6 January – 12 September 372 250 days
(8 months, 6 days)
Installed by general Huan Wen Died of illness
Injong
King of Joseon
29 November 1544 – 8 August 1545 252 days
(8 months, 9 days)
Death of his father, Jungjong Possibly poisoned by his step-mother Queen Munjeong so his half-brother Myeongjong would become king
Francis (III) Erdmann
Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
20 November 1665 – 30 July 1666 253 days (8 months, 10 days) Death of his father Julius (I) Henry Died
John XXI
Pope
8 September 1276 – 20 May 1277 255 days (8 months, 12 days) Elected following the death of Adrian V Died after apartment collapsed
Tewodros I
Emperor of Ethiopia
12 October 1413 – 23 June 1414 255 days (8 months, 12 days) Succeeded his father Dawit I Died in battle against the Adal Sultanate
Muhammad II
Caliph of Cordoba
(first reign)
15 February – 1 November 1009 259 days
(8 months, 17 days)
Overthrew Hisham II and his prime minister Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo, who tried to make Hisham name him his heir Deposed by Sulayman ibn al-Hakam
Benedict XI
Pope
22 October 1303 – 7 July 1304 259 days
(8 months, 16 days)
Elected after the death of Boniface VIII Died
Hongxi
Emperor of Great Ming
7 September 1424 – 29 May 1425 264 days
(8 months, 22 days)
Death of his father, the Yongle Emperor Died
Sancho II
King of León
12 January – 6 October 1072 268 days
(8 months, 24 days)
Deposed and imprisoned his brother, Alfonso VI Killed at the Siege of Zamora
Albert V
Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
29 December 1468 – 24 September 1469 271 days
(8 months, 26 days)
Was given Anhalt-Bernburg to rule Died of old age
Matilda
Lady of the English
2 February – c. 1 November 1141 c. 272 days
(8 months, 28 days)
(disputed)
Captured her cousin Stephen, King of England, at the Battle of Lincoln Stephen exchanged (behind her back and against her will) for her half-brother Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, who was captured at the Rout of Winchester. She was called Lady of the English and not Queen because she was never crowned despite planning to this end.
William III
King of Sicily
February–October 1194 <9 months Death of his father, Tancred Deposed by his uncle, Henry I
Claudine
Lady of Monaco
July 1457 – 16 March 1458 <9 months Death of her father, Catalan Grimaldi. As she was only six years old, her grandmother Pomellina Fregoso was named regent in her father's will. Pomellina was deposed after trying to murder Lamberto Grimaldi, Claudine's cousin and bethrothed. Lamberto then assumed the position of Lord of Monaco in detriment of his future wife.
Mamia I
King of Imereti
(second reign)
October 1711 – June 1712 <9 months Deposed George VII, who fled to Kartli Fled to Kartli himself after being defeated by George VII at the Battle of Chkhari
Benedict IX
Pope
(third reign)
November 1047 – July 1048 9 months Returned to Rome after the death of Clement II Expelled by the troops of Henry III of Germany, who imposed Damasus II
Uthman ibn Abi-Bakr
King of Valencia
1085–1086 9 months[40] Death of his father, Abu-Bakr ibn Abd-al-Aziz Deposed by Yahya al-Qadir
Gavril Radomir
Emperor of Bulgaria
6 October 1014 – August 1015 9 months Death of his father Samuel Murdered by his cousin Ivan Vladislav
Chodaganga
King of Polonnaruwa
1196–1197 9 months Assassinated Vikramabahu II Deposed and blinded by General Tavuru Senevirat who handed power to Queen Lilavati, widow of Parakramabahu I
Lokissara
King of Polonnaruwa
1210–1211 9 months Invaded Sri Lanka with a Tamil army from the continent, deposing Lilavati Deposed by General Parakrama, who restored Lilavati
Tekle Haymanot II
Emperor of Ethiopia
(First Reign)
18 October 1769 – August 1770 9 months Succeeded his father Yohannes II Deposed when he left Gondar for Tigray
Az-Zahir
Caliph of Islam
5 October 1225 – 10 July 1226 278 days
(9 months, 5 days)
Death of his father, An-Nasir Died of natural causes
Harold II
King of the English
5 January – 14 October 1066 282 days
(9 months, 9 days)
Elected by the Witenagemot at the suggestion of the dying king Edward the Confessor Killed at the Battle of Hastings
Clement II
Pope
25 December 1046 – 9 October 1047 288 days
(9 months, 14 days)
Elected at the request of Henry III of Germany, following the depositions of competing popes Benedict IX, Sylvester III, and Gregory VI Poisoned with lead sugar, either accidentally or intentionally
Christian II
King of Sweden
1 November 1520 – 23 August 1521 295 days
(9 months, 22 days)
Conquered Sweden, which had been in rebellion against the Kalmar Union for seven years Deposed by the rebel "Protector of the Realm" Gustav Vasa, who was elected King Gustav I in 1523
Leo II
Eastern Roman Emperor
18 January – 10 November 474 296 days
(9 months, 23 days)
Made augustus (co-emperor) by his grandfather, Leo I Died
Vetranio
Roman Emperor
1 March – 25 December 350 299 days
(9 months, 24 days)
Made co-emperor of Constantius II after the assassination of Constans Deposed by Constantius II, who became single emperor
Habibullah Kalakani
Emir of Afghanistan
14 December 1928 – 13 October 1929 303 days
(9 months, 29 days)
Abdication of Inayatullah Khan Deposed and executed by Mohammed Nadir Shah
Aaron I
Prince of Moldavia
(first reign)
September 1591 – before 20 June 1592 <10 months Designated by the Ottomans after the abdication of Peter VI Deposed by the Ottomans and replaced with Alexander V
Agustín I
Emperor of Mexico
19 May 1822 – 19 March 1823 304 days
(10 months)
Elected by the Congress of Mexico after Ferdinand VII of Spain refused the position for himself and any of his relatives Abdicated. The monarchy was abolished shortly after.
Muhammad XII
Emir of Granada
(first reign)
June 1482 – 20 April 1483 Around 10 months Rebelled against his father, Muley Hacén, seizing Granada and Almería. His father successfully defended and retained Málaga. Captured at the Battle of Lucena during an incursion in Castilian territory. Liberated by the Christians in order to fuel inter-Muslim conflict, he titled himself Emir again in 1487 and reigned until 1492.
Simon I
Prince of Wallachia
(first reign)
October 1600 – 3 July 1601 Around 10 months Assassination of Michael II Deposed by Radu IX
Ismail II
Emir of Granada
23 August 1359 – 24 June or 13 July 1360 306–325 days
(10 months, 1–19 days)
Deposed and exiled his brother, Muhammad V, to North Africa Deposed and assassinated by his brother-in-law, Muhammad VI
Martin II
King of Sicily
25 July 1409 – 31 May 1410 310 days
(10 months, 6 days)
Death of his son Martin I Died
Zhao Bing
Emperor of Song
10 May 1278 – 19 March 1279 313 days
(10 months, 9 days)
Death of his half-brother Emperor Duanzong Murdered by his chancellor Lu Xiufu during the Battle of Yamen
Romulus Augustus
Western Roman Emperor
31 October 475 – 4 September 476 309 days
(10 months, 4 days)
Installed in Ravenna by his father, General Orestes, after rebelling against Julius Nepos. The latter fled to Dalmatia and continued ruling there as Western Roman emperor until 480. Deposed by Odoacer, who sent the imperial insignia to Constantinople and titled himself King of Italy
Antipope Alexander V
Pope
26 June 1409 – 3 May 1410 311 days
(10 months, 7 days)
Elected in opposition to the Roman pope Gregory XII and the Avignon pope Benedict XIII Died suddenly
Louise Hippolyte
Princess of Monaco
20 February – 29 December 1731 312 days
(10 months, 9 days)
Death of her father, Anthony I Died of smallpox
Narawara
King of Burma
14 April 1672 – 27 February 1673 319 days
(10 months, 13 days)
Death of his father, Pye Min Died
Edward VIII
King of the United Kingdom, the British Dominions, and Emperor of India
20 January – 11 December 1936 326 days
(10 months, 21 days)
Death of his father, George V Abdicated in favour of his brother George VI in order to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite
Fuad II
King of Egypt and the Sudan
26 July 1952 – 18 June 1953 327 days
(10 months, 23 days)
Abdication of his father, Farouk I Monarchy abolished
Paul Doumer
Co-Prince of Andorra
13 June 1931 – 7 May 1932 329 days
(10 months, 24 days)
Became Prince of Andorra as President of France Assassinated
Jovan Nenad
Tsar of Bačka
29 August 1526 – 26 July 1527 331 days
(10 months, 28 days)
Carved a Serbian kingdom in southern Hungary after the death of Louis II in the Battle of Mohacs, refusing to recognize John Zapolya as King of Hungary and collaborating with the Habsburgs Assassinated after failing to link with the Habsburgs
Baldwin I
Latin Emperor of Constantinople
16 May 1204 – 14 April 1205 333 days
(10 months, 29 days)
Elected by the Crusaders after the Sack of Constantinople Captured by Kaloyan of Bulgaria at the Battle of Adrianople. Later died in prison
Al-Muhtadi
Caliph of Islam
21/22 July 869 – 21 June 870 334–335 days
(11 months)
Assassination of his cousin, Al-Mu'tazz Assassinated
Marwan I
Caliph of Islam
June 684 – April/May 685 11–12 months Elected after the death of Muawiya II Died
Alexander III
Prince of Wallachia
Began August–November 1592, ended 2–12 September 1593 11–14 months Succeeded Stephen I Deposed by Michael II and exiled to Constantinople, where he was accused of conspiracy and executed in 1597
Dmitry I
Tsar of Russia
10 June 1605 – 17 May 1606 341 days
(11 months, 7 days)
Deposition of Feodor II Assassinated
Richard III
Duke of Normandy
28 August 1026 – 6 August 1027 343 days
(11 months, 9 days)
Death of his father Richard II Died of illness
Napoleon I
Emperor of Elba
11 April 1814 – 20 March 1815 343 days
(11 months, 9 days)
Title created by the Treaty of Fontainebleau Fled to France
Moshoeshoe II
King of Lesotho (second reign)
25 January 1995 – 15 January 1996 355 days
(11 months, 21 days)
Reinstated as king in the place of his son Letsie III Died in a car accident
Alfonso II
King of Naples
25 January 1494 – 23 January 1495 363 days
(11 months, 29 days)
Death of his father, Ferdinand I Abdicated in favour of his son, Ferdinand II
Christian (I)
Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
16 November 1863 – 15 November 1864 364 days
(11 months, 30 days)
Became King of Denmark as Christian IX and Duke of Schleswig-Holstein and Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg upon the death of Frederick VII Saxe-Lauenburg came under the control of Austria and Prussia in 1864.
Charles III
Duke of Parma
(first reign)
19 April 1848 – April 1849 Around 12 months Abdication of his father, Charles II, after both fled during the Revolutions of 1848 Father restored by Austrian troops
Simon I
Prince of Wallachia
(second reign)
August 1601 – August 1602 Around 12 months Deposed Radu IX Deposed by Radu X
Michael VI
Eastern Roman Emperor
31 August 1056 – 31 August 1057 365 days
(12 months)
Succeeded Theodora III after being chosen by her as successor, shortly before her death Abdicated in favour of Isaac I and became a monk
Elizabeth II
Queen of Tanganyika
9 December 1961 – 9 December 1962 365 days
(12 months)
Gained independence within the Commonwealth of Nations and shared a monarch with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and certain other sovereign states Republic proclaimed
Elizabeth II
Queen of Uganda
9 October 1962 – 9 October 1963 365 days
(12 months)
Elizabeth II
Queen of Kenya
12 December 1963 – 12 December 1964 366 days
(12 months)

Other monarchs who may have reigned for less than a year[edit]

The following monarchs may also have reigned for less than a year, but only an approximate length of reign is known.

Portrait Monarch Reign Reason for accession Reason for reign's end
5–70 unnamed rulers
Pharaohs of Egypt
(Seventh Dynasty)
c. 2181 BC
(70–75 days total)
End of the Sixth Dynasty Beginning of the Eighth Dynasty. The existence of the Seventh Dynasty is questioned due to poor and imprecise records. Some believe it fictional, a metaphor for a chaotic interregnum between the Sixth and Eighth Dynasties; others, that the Seventh Dynasty really existed but its pharaohs were included in the Eighth Dynasty by mistake.
Neferkare Pepiseneb
Pharaoh of Egypt
2181–2170 BC Succeeded Neferkahor Succeeded by Neferkamin Anu after a reign of one year or more. Only attested in the Abydos King List and possibly the Turin King List (as Neferkare Khered Seneb)
Sewadjkare I
Pharaoh of Egypt
c. 1781 BC or 1737 BC Succeeded Sehetepibre Succeeded by Nedjemibre. Only known from the Turin King List, which originally included his reign duration but is illegible due to damage
Pausanias
King of Macedon
394/393 – 393/392 BC Became king after Amyntas II was assassinated Assassinated by a distant cousin, Amyntas III
Cleopatra IV
Pharaoh of Egypt
28 June 116 BC – 115 BC Death of her father, Ptolemy VIII. Reigned alongside her brother and husband, Ptolemy IX Pushed out of joint rule by her mother, Cleopatra III
Zhao Jiande
King of Nanyue
112–111 BC Assassination of Zhao Xing Assassinated, Nanyue annexed by the Han Dynasty
Antiochus XI
King of Syria
94–93 BC Proclaimed himself king after his brother Seleucus VI was killed fighting against their cousin Antiochus X Died in battle against Antiochus X
Arsaces
King of Pontus
37–36 BC Death of his brother Darius Died
Sundara Satakarni
Satavahana Dynasty
76-77 (~1 year) Succeeeded Purindrsena Died in battle Saka-Satavahana Wars
Chakora Svatikarna
Satavahana Dynasty
77-78 (~6 months) Succeeeded Sundara Satakarni Died in battle Saka-Satavahana Wars
Liu Yi
Emperor of Han
125 Elected to succeed the late Emperor An Died of illness
Adur Narseh
Shah of Persia
209 Death of his father, Hormizd II Assassinated and replaced with Shapur II. His reign is questioned by some historians because he is mentioned in Greek sources but not in Persian ones.
Gongsun Yuan
King of Yan
237–238 Rebelled against Cao Wei Deposed and executed by Wei, along with his family
Carus
Roman Emperor
282–283 Either assassinated Probus, or was proclaimed after such assassination Allegedly struck by lightning while campaigning against the Sassanids
Vithimiris/Vinitharius
King of the Goths
c. 376 Suicide of Ermanaric when faced by Alan and Hunnic invasions Killed in battle with the Huns
Ellac
King of the Huns
453–454 Death of his father, Attila Killed at the Battle of Nedao
Olybrius
Western Roman Emperor
Began March–July 472, ended 22 October or 2 November 472 Installed by Ricimer after the assassination of Anthemius Died of dropsy
Ildibad
King of the Ostrogoths
540–541 Elected after Witiges was taken prisoner to Constantinople by the Byzantines Murdered by his bodyguard[c]
John
King of the Moors and Romans
545–546 Elected after the death of Stotzas in the Battle of Thacia Arrested by the Byzantines and crucified in Constantinople
Teia
King of the Ostrogoths
Began July 552, ended October 552 – early 553 Elected after the death of Totila in the Battle of Taginae Killed at the Battle of Mons Lactarius
Seaxburh
Queen of Wessex
672–674 Succeeded her husband, Cenwalh of Wessex, after his death. Only woman included in the list of kings of Wessex Died. The throne was inherited by either Cenfus or his son Æscwine, who were distant relatives of her husband.
Roderic
King of the Visigoths
710/711–711/712 Seized the throne by force, either assassinating Wittiza or in the aftermath of Wittiza's death by other causes Killed at the Battle of Guadalete
Sigeberht
King of Wessex
756–757 Succeeded Cuthred, a distant relative Deposed by Cynewulf and later assassinated
Sabin
Khan of Bulgaria
765–766 Assassination of Telets Deposed, fled to Constantinople
Toktu
Khan of Bulgaria
766–767 Succeeded Umor, possibly after deposing him Assassinated while trying to flee from a revolt
Pagan
Khan of Bulgaria
767–768 Elected after the deposition or assassination of Toktu. Deposed and assassinated.
Dae Won-ui
King of Balhae
c. 793 – November 793 Death of his father Mun Assassinated on the order of his nephew Seong by the ministers
Seong
King of Balhae
November 793 – mid 794 Assassinated his uncle Dae Won-ui Deposed and assassinated by his uncle Gang
Anulo
King of Denmark
812 Death of King Hemming. Anulo and his followers claimed him to be the rightful new king of Denmark. Killed in battle fought against another claimant for the kingship of Denmark (the party of Anulo won the battle, and Anulo's brothers became new joint kings of Denmark)
Sigfred
King of Denmark
812 Death of King Hemming. Sigfred and his followers claimed him to be the rightful new king of Denmark. Killed in battle fought against another claimant for the kingship of Denmark
Gan
King of Balhae
817–818 Death of his father Hui Assassinated by his uncle Seon
Nepotian
King of Asturias
842 Succeeded his childless "kinsman", Alfonso II, whom he had served as count of the palace Deposed by Alfonso's second degree cousin, Ramiro I
Fruela
King of Asturias
866 Seized the throne by force in the aftermath of Ordoño I's death Assassinated after some months and replaced with Ordoño's son, Alfonso III. Called "The Usurper" to distinguish from Fruela I and Fruela II
Jeonggang
King of Silla
886–887 Death of his brother, Heongang Died
Alfonso Fróilaz
King of Leon
July 925 – late 925 Death of his father, Fruela II Deposed by his cousins Sancho Ordóñez, Alfonso IV, and Ramiro II, who then fought among themselves. Fróilaz allied with Alfonso IV and may have been rewarded with a sub-kingdom in the northeast until both were removed by Ramiro II in 932.
Arinjaya Chola
Chola dynasty
957-958 CE Succeeded Gandaraditya Chola Died in a war in Arrur, succeeded by Parantaka Chola II
Bezprym
Duke of Poland
1031 – spring? 1032 Flight of his brother Mieszko II to Bohemia during a period of German and Kievan invasions Assassinated. Duchy divided between his brothers Mieszko and Otto and cousin Dytryk
Abd Allah ibn al-Hakam al-Tujibi
King of Zaragoza
1039 Assassinated his cousin, Al-Mundhir ibn Yahya Deposed by Al-Musta'in I
Eric and Eric
Kings of Sweden
1066–1067 Death of Stenkil. Each claimed the throne for himself and fought the other. Killed in battle in quick succession. The throne went to Stenkil's son, Halsten.
Sunjong
King of Goryeo
1082/1083 – 5 December 1083 Death of his father, Munjong Died
Ragnvald Knaphövde
King of Sweden
late 1120s Elected in Östergötland after the death of Inge Assassinated by the Geats, who had elected Magnus I
David V
King of Georgia
c. 1154–1155 Deposed his father, Demetrius I Unclear, but likely assassinated. His reign is given different lengths in different chronicles: from one to six months, to even two years.
Magnus II
King of Sweden
1160–1161 Assassinated Eric IX Killed in battle with Eric IX's son, Charles VII
Parakrama Pandyan I
Pandya dynasty
1161-1162 Executed by Parakramabahu I Succeeded by Vira Pandya III
Jaya Harivarman II
King of Champa
1166–1167 Succeeded Jaya Harivarman I Succeeded by Jaya Indravarman IV
Vijayabahu II
King of Polonnaruwa
1186–1187 Death of his uncle, Parakramabahu I Assassinated by Mahinda VI
Suryajayavarman
King of Champa
1190–1191 Installed by the Khmer after they invaded and deposed Jaya Indravarman IV Fled to Cambodia during the revolt of Vidyanandana, leaving the capital Vijaya to Jaya Indravarman V
Jaya Indravarman V
King of Champa
1191–1192 Flight of Suryajayavarman Assassinated by Vidyanandana
Dharmasoka
King of Polonnaruwa
1208–1209 Succeeded Kalyanavati Assassinated by Anikanga
Lilavati
Queen of Polonnaruwa
(second reign)
1209–1210 Assassination of Anikanga by General Vikkantacamunakka, who surrendered control to Lilavati Deposed by Lokissara
Peter I
Latin Emperor of Constantinople
1216–1217 Elected after the death of his brother-in-law, Henry I Captured during a failed campaign against the Despotate of Epirus; he died in prison in 1219.
Lý Chiêu Hoàng
Empress of Đại Việt
October 1224 – October/November 1225 Abdication of her father, Lý Huệ Tông, who retired to become a Buddhist monk. Forced to abdicate in favour of her husband, Trần Thái Tông. She was the only empress regnant in the history of Vietnam.
Ermengol IX
Count of Urgell
1243 Death of his father, Ponce I Died, reasons unknown
Haraldr Guðrøðarson
King of Mann and the Isles
1249–1250 Assassinated his cousin Rǫgnvaldr Óláfsson Deposed and exiled to Norway by Haakon IV, who probably also installed Rǫgnvaldr's brother Magnús Óláfsson as king
Tsenfa Arad
Emperor of Ethiopia
1294–1295 Five sons of Yagbe'u Seyon reigned consecutively after him for one year each, possibly as a result of dynastic confusion.[41] Throne seized by their uncle Wedem Arad
Hezba Asagad
Emperor of Ethiopia
1295–1296
Qedma Asagad
Emperor of Ethiopia
1296–1297
Jan Asagad
Emperor of Ethiopia
1297–1298
Saba Asagad
Emperor of Ethiopia
1298–1299
Simon II
Lord of Lippe
10 August 1344 – Late 1344 Death of his father Simon I Died likely of age related causes
Albert III
Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
1359 – c. 1 August 1359 Made co-monarch alongside his uncle Waldemar I Died
Balc
Prince of Moldavia
1359 or 1364 Death of his father, Sas Deposed by Bogdan I
Peter I
Prince of Moldavia
1367 – July 1368 Death of his grandfather, Bogdan I Deposed by his uncle, Lațcu
Dương Nhật Lễ
Emperor of Đại Việt
1369–1370 Death of his uncle, Trần Dụ Tông Deposed by his father-in-law, Trần Nghệ Tông
Al-Musta'sim
Caliph of Cairo
(first reign)
1377 Deposition of Al-Mutawakkil I Deposed by Al-Mutawakkil I. He became Caliph a second time in 1386–1389.
Yusuf II
Emir of Granada
1391–1392 Death of his father, Muhammad V Possibly assassinated by his son, Muhammad VII
Hồ Quý Ly
Emperor of Đại Ngu
28 February 1400 – 1401 Deposed his grandson, Trần Thiếu Đế Abdicated in favour of his son, Hồ Hán Thương
Virupaksha Raya
Emperor of Vijayanagara
1404-1405 Death of Harihara II Killed by his own sons
Ramachandra Raya
Emperor of Vijayanagara
1422 Death of Deva Raya I Succeeded by Veera Vijaya Bukka Raya
Muhammad IX
Emir of Granada
(second reign)
1430–1431 Deposed and assassinated Muhammad VIII, who had deposed him earlier Deposed by Yusuf IV
Yusuf IV
Emir of Granada
1 January 1432 – c. 1432 Deposed Muhammad IX Deposed by Muhammad IX
Peter III
Prince of Moldavia
(first reign)
May 1444 – 1445 Made co-prince by his half-brother Stephen II after he deposed his other brother and previous co-prince, Iliaș, who had been imposed by the Poles Unknown. He became co-prince again in 1447, this time with his nephew Roman II, a son of Iliaș.
Yusuf V
Emir of Granada
1445–1446 Deposed his nephew Muhammad X Deposed by Muhammad X
1462 Deposed his brother Abu Nasr Sa'd Deposed by Abu Nasr Sa'd
Muhammad XI
Emir of Granada
1453–1454 Death of Muhammad IX Deposed by Abu Nasr Sa'd and assassinated by Sa'd's son, Muley Hacén
Praudha Raya
Emperor of Vijayanagara
1485 Succeeded Virupaksha Raya II Deposed by Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya
Thimma Bhupala
Emperor of Vijayanagara
1491 (~2 months) Death of Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya Assassinated by an unknown Sangama dynasty commander
Al-Mustamsik
Caliph of Cairo
(second reign)
1516–1517 Deposed his son Al-Mutawakkil III, who had previously deposed him in 1508 Abdicated in favor of Al-Mutawakkil III
Al-Mutawakkil III
Caliph of Cairo
(second reign)
1517 Abdication of his father Captured by Selim I and deported to Constantinople, where he surrendered the title to Selim (according to later tradition)
Tupac Amaru I
Sapa Inca
1571 – 24 September 1572 Death of his brother Titu Cusi Yupanqui Executed by the Spanish
Mạc Toàn
Emperor of Đại Việt
1592–1593 Capture and assassination of his father Mạc Mậu Hợp by the Abdicated in favour of Mạc Kính Chỉ
Mạc Kính Chỉ
Emperor of Đại Việt
1592–1593 Abdication of Mạc Toàn Assassinated by the Trịnh lords
Karposh
King of Kumanovo
October? – November? 1689 Recognized as King by the Habsburgs while in rebellion against the Ottoman Empire Captured and executed by the Ottomans
Mamia I
King of Imereti
(first reign)
1701 Installed as puppet king by his father-in-law Giorgi Abashidze, following the assassination of Simon I Abdicated in favour of Abashidze, who became King George VI of Imereti, and returned to Guria where he continued ruling as Prince
Abdullah I
King of Iraq
8 March 1920 – c. 1920 Proclaimed by the Congress of Iraq Refused the position. Became Emir of Transjordan in 1921 and King of Jordan in 1946

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Sinmu is recorded as having reigned for three lunar months, slightly shorter than solar ones.
  2. ^ Shajar al-Durr has often been referred to as a "Sultana", but there is in fact no feminine form of Sultan and she herself used the title "Sultan" on her coinage.[38]
  3. ^ Not assassinated, as the murder had no political aim.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Shortest reign of a monarch". Guinness World Records.
  2. ^ Guinness Book of World Records. Sterling Publishing. 1975. p. 377. ISBN 978-0-8069-0012-4. The shortest recorded reign was that of the Dauphin Louis Antoine, who was technically King Louis XIX of France for the 15 minutes between the signature of Charles X (1757–1836) and his own signature to the act of abdication.
  3. ^ Blanc, Louis (1848). France Under Louis Philippe. Translated by Walter Kelly. p. 214.
  4. ^ Pinoteau, Hervé (1982). "Notes de vexillologie royale française". Hidalguía. La revista de genealogía, nobleza y armas (172–173). Madrid: 361–362. LOUIS ANTOINE, montrant ainsi qu'il ne se considérait point roi Louis XIX entre le moment où son père avait signé CHARLES et celui où il avait mis son propre nom. Ceci dit pour corriger les auteurs qui sont nombreux à dire que l'on eut quelques minutes durant un roi Louis XIX en 1830.
  5. ^ Nowell, Charles E. (1973). Portugal. Prentice-Hall. p. 133. ISBN 9780136869153.
  6. ^ Book of Wei, chapter 9.
  7. ^ Sinica calendar converter.
  8. ^ 历史上短命的皇帝有哪些 [Short-lived emperors in history]. Shangdu.com (in Chinese). Henan Culture Web (河南文化网). 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  9. ^ J.N.D Kelly & M.J. Walsh (2010). A Dictionary of Popes. Oxford University Press. p. 92. ISBN 9780199295814.
  10. ^ Tan Koon San (2014). Dynastic China: An Elementary History. The Other Press. p. 261. ISBN 9789839541885.
  11. ^ name=Pham>Pham, John-Peter. Heirs of the Fisherman: Behind the Scenes of Papal Death and Succession, Oxford University Press, 2004 ISBN 9780199334827
  12. ^ "The Abdication of Nicholas II: 100 Years Later". The Russian Legitimist. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  13. ^ Damrong Rajanubhab (1936). Journey Through Burma. p. 170. ISBN 9789748358857
  14. ^ Obeyesekere, Donald (1999). Outlines of Ceylon history. p. 176. ISBN 9788120613638.
  15. ^ Miller, William (1969) [1926]. Trebizond: The last Greek Empire of the Byzantine Era: 1204-1461. Chicago: Argonaut. p. 50.
  16. ^ Dhammakitti; Sumangala, Tibbotuvāve (1998) [4th-18th Century CE]. Cūḷavaṃsa. Translated by Geiger, Wilhelm.[full citation needed]
  17. ^ Prutsch, M. (2012). Making Sense of Constitutional Monarchism in Post-Napoleonic France and Germany. Springer. p. 15. ISBN 9781137291653.
  18. ^ Holoman, D. Kern (2004). The Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire, 1828-1967. University of California Press. p. 184. ISBN 9780520236646.
  19. ^ "Louis Philippe". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  20. ^ Panton, Kenneth J. (2015). Historical Dictionary of the British Empire. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 578–579. ISBN 9780810875241.
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  22. ^ John S. Major, Constance A. Cook (2016). Ancient China: A History. Routledge. p. 182. ISBN 9781317503668.
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  24. ^ Osmańczyk, Edmund (2003). Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: N to S. New York: Routledge. p. 1545. ISBN 9780415939232.
  25. ^ "Stephen (II)". Encyclopaedia Britannica.
  26. ^ Anderson, James (2012). The Rebel Den of Nung Trí Cao. Singapore: University of Washington Press. p. 56. ISBN 9780295800776.
  27. ^ Taylor, K. W. (2013). A History of the Vietnamese. Cambridge University Press. p. 650. ISBN 9781107244351.
  28. ^ "Biografia de Juan II de Portugal". www.biografiasyvidas.com. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  29. ^ N.C.L Hammond, G.T. Griffith (1972). A History of Macedonia: 550-336 B.C. Clarendon Press. p. 167. ISBN 9780198148142.
  30. ^ Carney, E. (2015) King and Court in Ancient Macedonia: Rivalry, Treason and Conspiracy. ISD LLC, 400 pages.
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  33. ^ Dănuț Zuzeac (2016). Cea mai scurtă domnie din Evul Mediu. Cum a ajuns un boier să stea pe tronul Moldovei doar câteva zile. Adevărul
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  35. ^ Stewart, John (2005). African States and Rulers. London: McFarland. pp. 19–20. ISBN 0-7864-2562-8.
  36. ^ Seaman, R.M. (2013) Conflict in the Early Americas: An Encyclopedia of the Spanish Empire's Aztec, Incan, and Mayan Conquests. ABC-CLIO, 485 pages.
  37. ^ Wallis Budge, E. A. (1970) [1928]. A History of Ethiopia: Nubia and Abyssinia. Oosterhout, the Netherlands: Anthropological Publications. p. 481.
  38. ^ Holt, P. M.; Lambton, Ann K. S.; Lewis, Bernard, eds. (1977). The Cambridge History of Islam. Cambridge University Press. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-521-29135-4. OCLC 3549123. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  39. ^ Wallis Budge, E. A. (1970) [1928]. A History of Ethiopia: Nubia and Abyssinia. Oosterhout, the Netherlands: Anthropological Publications. p. 469.
  40. ^ [Valencia, ¿? – ¿?, d. 1086] 'Utmán ben Abū Bakr Muḥammad ben ʿAbd al-‘Azíz.
  41. ^ Taddesse Tamrat, Church and State in Ethiopia (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1972), p. 72.