Product Description

Who invented the "House of Windsor" as a royal name? Who founded Westminster Abbey? Which king had 21 illegitimate children? David Hilliam answers these questions and others in this continuous history of the English monarchy, showing how the nine dynasties rose and fell. The book describes the most memorable features of the life and times of each king or queen from Egbert, crowned in 802 and considered the first King of England, to Queen Elizabeth II - as well as recording the lives of their consorts, mistresses and illegitimate children. It also tells the story of the Saxons, describes what has happened to the monarchs' mortal remains, and relates many events of royal history which rarely appear in textbooks. The figures include the saintly Edward the Confessor, who is believed to have refused to consummate his marriage; rumbustious Henry VIII, given to beheading those who displeased him; "the little man in black velvet", who caused the death of William III; Queen Victoria's servant, the "Munshi"; Queen Emma, who endured trial by ordeal; and Anne Boleyn, widely suspected of being a witch. A complete list of the monarchs' reigns and a genealogical table showing the royal descent down 37 generations from Egbert to Elizabeth increases the volume's reference value.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #558448 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 253 pages

Customer Reviews

Informative, witty, thoroughly enjoyable
I can't believe this book hasn't received numerous glowing reviews; it is the best put together, funniest, history reference books I've read in years. This is the book for everyone who wants a dinner-party, 'gobbet' knowledge of the monarchy and their significant others. But it is more than that: not only does it give the reader a succint overview of the different royal dynasties from Egbert onwards, but it inspires you to find out more. I found myself cross-referencing entries with other reference books, reading historical dramas and ordering books featuring my favourites. I especially loved Hilliam's description of Charles II as the monarch you would most want to be on a desert island with. That's the kind of history you remember.

Serious historians beware!
This a fun, lightweight book and is an ideal introduction to the English monarchy. Serious historians should steer clear, however, as it relies heavily on anecdotes and urban myths. Richard I is just one of the kings to be labelled 'gay' without so much as a second thought. The author strikes an irreverent tone until he reaches the House of Windsor. At this point objectivity flies out of the window, to be replaced by a rather nauseating sycophancy. That said, this is an entertaining read and is probably not intended for a serious, scholarly audience.

What a wonderful read.. more where this came from please
I am a casual student of history with a particular interest in monarchs and their amusing idiosycnrasys, what a breath of fresh air this book was to read. It is so nice to get to the interesting facts without getting bogged down in a load of political or economic tedium.
What a shame a few pedants have chosen to gripe about a couple of minor errors that pale into insignificance when you look at the vast amount of research that has gone into this book.
A wonderful read, I can whole heartedly recommend it.