"What Links?"

[oap]

What links the following William 11, Henry 1, Henry 11,Richard 1, John & Edward ?

[mazie]

They all spent time in the Tower of London ???

[kettledrum]

Which Edward are we thinking about?

This isn't really an answer to your question - more thinking out loud, which may jog someone else's memory ....

First thoughts:

William II & Henry I were brothers. One succeeded the other.
Richard I & John were brothers - ditto

Edward IV was succeeded (after v short reign of his son, Ed V) by his brother Richard III
Edward VI was succeeded by his sister Mary I
Edward VIII was succeeded by his brother George VI

I don't see how Henry II fits into this theory.

Second thoughts:

They all had nicknames:
William II - Rufus
Henry I - Beauclerk
Henry II - Curtmantle
Richard I - Coeur de Lion / Lionheart
John - Lackland
Edward I - Longshanks

[oap]

Thanks Kettledrum

Shoud be Edward 1 (Sorry for the omission)

Possibly your suggesion of Nicknames could be the answer.

Thanks anyway.