Who does everything think was the best monarch to rule England since the Norman Conquest?
Henry II? Richard the Lionheart? King Henry VIII? Queen Elizabeth I? King George III?
or someone else altogether?

Well, I'll go for Edward V, because the poor little fellow's reign was very short and he never got a chance to do anything at all!

For a more serious answer I'll vote for William IV. He seems to have been a quiet, amiable old soul. He may have left no "great" achievements, but perhaps he should be appreciated simply because he wasn't responsible for any death and destruction (unlike so many of the more obvious candidates).

Hey! You're thinking why is an American jumping in here?? To my defense, my family came over from England in 1745, and I have Scottish ancestors, too, which is why I love reading about the history of Great Britain. I always thought the time when King Charles II was Monarch-the Reformation- to be fascinating. So much was happening in arts, sciences, etc. and it seems like he was a very popular ruler.

Actually Linda, that is exactly what I was thinking, but seeing as you have only been in the USA since a quarter to six, then ok!
Seriously, my choice has to be Elizabeth I. Ruled for a considerable period of time as a monarch on her own. Ok, she had plenty of advisors etc, but for a lady to rule at that period of history 'on her own' was an impressive achievement and she didn't have a particularly trouble free childhood either.

Actually, I think I like the present Queen.

Elizabeth I. Look at the country she inherited: A bunch of people scared because the religion of 'choice' changed from reign to reign. A bankrupt (just about from what I remember) treasury. Not a lot of respect from the other countries (well, until that whole Spanish Armada thing

Elizabeth was the one who really stopped the going back and forth between religions. She also was actually quite tolerant - as long as you went to church, she didn't much care what you believed.

She was VERY shrewd, politically. By courting all of Europe for her entire reign, she kept a lot of countries as friends. By not naming a successor she kept people from trying to kick her off the throne (but after Mary's rule, I don't think anyone would have). She even kept Mary, Queen of Scots around as long as possible, until she actually became a huge liability...