Product Description

This account of the British monarchy spans from the Dark Ages through to third millennium. It is a portrait not only of kings and queens but also of the monarchy as a political and social force.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1191829 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 744 pages

Review
"What a feast....A sumptuously illustrated volume that like all good works of reference lends itself to browsing ....There are long thoughtful chapters on individual reigns; sprightly biographical vignettes; State papers and gossip; excursions into patronage of the arts and royal residences."--Sunday Telegraph (London)
"Big and beautiful, this lushly illustrated volume traces the history of the millennium-old British monarchy from the immediate post-Roman period....to the present day....Lovely to look at, wonderfully helpful as a source of specific information, a delight to read straight through."--ALA Booklist

About the Author
John Cannon is Professor of History at the University of Newcastle.

Customer Reviews

A Royal Collection
The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy is a uniquely complete book. This is a book very worthy of Oxford, consisting primarily of chapters on royal and political history generally, interspersed throughout with boxed essays on each monarch, special topics, maps, photographs and paintings.

This book begins with the murky beginnings of royalty in Britain, arising out of the chaos of the post-Roman world. Here we encounter names such as Aethelberht, Raewald, and Hywel Dda -- this book doesn't just concentrate as so many do on the English monarchies, but also on Welsh and Scottish clans, lines, and kingdoms. Here we find that King Eric Bloodaxe, the Viking King of York was followed not too many years later by Edgar the Peacable, king of Mercia and the Danelaw.

With the inclusion of this extensive pre-Norman section, the book is a must for any British history library. Apart from that, the history is fairly basic -- well written, interesting, but no grand and new insights, more of an encyclopedia writ as an essay rather than articles on particular subjects (for which I am grateful--nothing so disjointed and unsatisfying in many ways as reading an encyclopedia). This however can make looking up topics a bit more difficult, but I've found as I've sought out one piece of information (using the very good index) I find much more (which is always to be desired).

The final sections include chapters on Royal Residences and Tombs, Genealogies, and Lists of Monarchs, including Scottish as well as English monarchs.

This book is filled with little bits of interest--for instance, an example of 17th century propaganda: 'In the absence of newspapers, radio, and television, other means of representing events and influencing opinion assumed greater importance. A pack of cards took as its unconvivial theme Monmouth's rebellion in 1685. The six of clubs shows Monmouth's entry into Lyme Regis; the seven of spades shows the duke's fate; and the five of diamonds that of his followers.' This caption accompanies pictures of playing cards with scenes of hanged or beheaded men, etc. An interesting means of information dissemination.

A very worthy book, perhaps the only royal book a non-historian would ever need; a definite need for any historian or royal watcher.

A MUST for every shelf
Have the least little question about the British/Scottish/Welsh Monarchy? Need to know about the early days of royalty? Want to know the whys and wherefores of various events? Have absolutely ANY questions at all?? This is the reference material for you. Not a book of dry lists printed on black and white paper, but a hefty tome full of knowledge, pictures, information, and history. It is an intense read, chock-a-block with multiple facts on the monarchy and the way history was shaped by each king, queen, and their various political advisors or favorites. It is not a quick read. Concentration is advised so that all the information provided can be understood and appreciated. Not for the faint-of-heart but for a person truly interested in the way 'monarchy' has played its role throughout the years.