Henry VI of England

About Henry VI of England

Henry VI of England (1421–1471) holds a significant place in political history, ranked #255 globally by MIT’s Pantheon project due to his central, albeit turbulent, role in the Wars of the Roses. As the only English monarch to be both crowned King of France (by treaty) and later deposed twice, his reign marks the decline of the Lancastrian cause and the rise of Yorkist power. His perceived weakness and mental instability are often cited as key catalysts for the protracted dynastic conflict that reshaped the English crown.

In the modern digital landscape of 2025, Henry VI commands 1.4 million Wikipedia views annually, resulting in an "overattention" score of +3x relative to his historical importance. This suggests that while he is not forgotten, his modern online visibility is disproportionately high compared to many figures ranked much higher in global influence, such as Charles, Prince of Wales (#63 HPI, 324K views). The current level of interest is relatively stable, showing only a +1.2% year-over-year increase, though quarterly momentum suggests a slight cooling of interest (-11% from Q1 to Q3).