The Revenge-class battleships (often referred to incorrectly as the Royal Sovereign-class) were designed as a smaller and cheaper version of the preceding Queen Elizabeth-class which at the time, were the most powerful ships afloat. They were to retain the same armament of the QEs, in the form of eight BL 15-in Mk. I guns in four double turrets. Secondary armament consisted in 6-in guns in order to counter the threat of larger destroyers but these proved unreliable in rough weather. Armor protection differed from that of the QEs, and was designed primarily to defend against short-range engagements. As a result, side armor was given a boost at the expense of the deck, but torpedo bulges were installed from the outset, thereby offering improved underwater protection. The main difference with respect to the QEs was with regards to machinery: the Revenge-class ships switched back to both coal and oil due to potential of oil supplies to the UK being disrupted. Turbine power was also lower and this resulted in a slower top speed of just 21 knots. Two of the five ships were in service during the Battle of Jutland but unlike the QEs, they did not receive significant modernizations during the interwar period. This made them less ideal for front-line service during World War II although they served with distinction as convoy escorts and for shore bombardment (including on D-Day). Only one was sunk, the HMS Royal Oak just weeks after World War II began, and all four surviving ships were scrapped after the war. Two of the eight planned ships were eventually redesigned as the Renown-class battlecruisers.

The HMS Revenge was in action during the Battle of Jutland, scoring some hits against German ships. It served in World War II in the English Channel, and later the Far East. It was later put in reserve due to being in poor condition and its main armament removed to provide spares. HMS Resolution did not see combat in World War I and during World War II was in service with the Home Fleet, seeing action in Norway. Later it was part of Force H in the attack on Mers-el-Kebir and with Fore M in Dakar. After brief service in the Far East, it returned to the UK to serve as a training ship. The HMS Royal Oak was the only other ship of the class to participate in Jutland. During World War II, it was sunk in harbor at Scapa Flow (supposedly impregnably by submarines) by U-47 in October 1939. The HMS Royal Sovereign was commissioned too late to see action at Jutland and later was in service in numerous theaters during World War II, including with the Home Fleet, the Mediterranean, the Far East, and East Africa. It was later transferred to the USSR were it was renamed Arkangelsk and served as a convoy escort. It was returned in 1949 and was scrapped. HMS Ramillies did not see much combat in World War I and served in the following war with the Home Fleet, in the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean, where it was severely damaged by Japanese midget submarines. After repairs it was used for fire support during D-Day.