Biography: royalty Books

Book SynopsisExplore 500 years of the British royal family and how their portrayal has developed throughout the ages through beautiful artworks from the National Portrait Gallery's Collection. The Royals: Tudors to Windsors features some of the earliest works in the National Portrait Gallery's Collection alongside their most recent acquisitions. This beautiful publication includes a timeline of key events and is illustrated through photographs and paintings of the British royal family, from King Henry VIII to King Charles III. Discover how the monarchy have positioned themselves within images of strength, domesticity and love; from traditional paintings by Nicholas Hilliard and Joshua Reynolds, to modern-day photographs by Dorothy Wilding and Nadav Kander. An introduction by Rab MacGibbon explains the history of the British royal family and their continued relevance today. The Royals is a chronological, highly-illustrated book. Showcasing the Gallery's collection of royal portraiture, works are a

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Book SynopsisThe book consists of a series of 'Reflections' on the kingsnamed Henry who (with gaps) ruled England from 1100 to1547. It seeks to explore their characters, and how eachresponded to the very different challenges they faced.

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Book SynopsisIn this study of the reign of James II of Scotland, the king is viewed in the context of the Stewart monarchy, from his struggles to overcome his early adversity and the legacy of his father's style of kingship, to the serious political crises of his reign. The relations between the king and his subjects, and the complex balance of power in medieval Scotland are examined, particularly the significant crisis precipitated by James II's attack on the Black Douglases, the greatest of all late medieval magnate families. The changing nature of political involvement among the nobility and the role of Parliament in influencing events are explored, as are the efforts of the king to recover and promote royal authority in the final years of his reign. The role of James II in the wider European context is also studied with a view to shedding light on contemporary perceptions of the Stewart monarchy both at home and abroad. The study is based on contemporary chronicle and official sources, and consideration is also given to later, highly coloured views of James II, which have influenced popular views of the king to the present day.

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Book SynopsisConditioned by a childhood surrounded by the rivalries of the Stewart family, and by eighteen years of enforced exile in England, James I was to prove a king very different from his elderly and conservative forerunners. This major study draws on a wide range of sources, assessing James I’s impact on his kingdom. Michael Brown examines James’s creation of a new, prestigious monarchy based on a series of bloody victories over his rivals and symbolised by lavish spending at court. He concludes that, despite the apparent power and glamour, James I’s ‘golden age’ had shallow roots; after a life of drastically swinging fortunes, James I was to meet his end in a violent coup, a victim of his own methods. But whether as lawgiver, tyrant or martyr, James I has cast a long shadow over the history of Scotland.Trade Review'This is an important book, and not only because it is the first full-length biography of James I for nearly sixty years. It is a clearly written and innovative political study, drawn from a deep knowledge of the contemporary documents and chronicles. It gives a challenging, not to say unattractive, picture of a royal thug' - Books in Scotland

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Book SynopsisBehind the Throne is, above all, a history of family life.They ate, entertained their friends and worried about money. Henry VIII kept tripping over his dogs. George II threw his son out of the house. James I had to cut back on the drink bills.The great difference is that royal families had more help with their lives than most.Charles I maintained a household of 2,000. Victoria's medical establishment alone consisted of thirty doctors, three dentists and a chiropodist. Even today, Elizabeth II keeps a full-time staff of 1,200. A royal household was a community, a vast machine. Everyone, from James I's Master of the Horse down to William IV's Assistant Table Decker, was there to smooth the sovereign's path through life while simultaneously confirming their status.Here, Adrian Tinniswood uncovers the reality of five centuries of life at the English court, taking you on a remarkable journey, exploring life as it was lived by clerks and courtiers and clowns and crowned heads. Behind the Throne is a true domestic history of the royal household, a reconstruction of life behind the throne. 'The most interesting and informative book on British royalty for many years' Literary ReviewTrade ReviewThis is the most interesting and informative book on British royalty for many years. -- Sarah Bradford * Literary Review *Behind the Throne, erudite and amusing, bulges with colourful scenes… glorious… a fun, elegant narrative. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *This book is a cracking read, packed full of stories which Tinniswood relates with verve and wit… Buy this book for Christmas and give it to all your non-republican friends. -- Jane Ridley * Spectator *Entertaining… superb… history needs anecdote to make us relate to it, something Tinniswood [does] brilliantly. * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *Adrian Tinniswood’s handsomely produced Behind the Throne is full of such pleasing details, as it takes us on a fascinating snoop into the studies, kitchens and bedrooms of various monarchs from Elizabeth I to the present queen… Tinniswood gets [the tone] just right, never overly deferential, but humorous and distantly respectful… Behind the Throne is a wonderfully entertaining account of life through five centuries of royal households. -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *Adrian Tinniswood's juicy new domestic history of the royal household… [is] delicious – as piquant as the green salad with which Edward VIII liked to eat his cold grouse. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Devoted watchers of The Crown will especially enjoy the nimble analysis of both the narcissistic Edward VIII’s brief reign and Princess Margaret’s doomed romance… this enlightening narrative allows the royal family mystique to disappear just a little. * Publishers Weekly *An intimate and entertaining look at the private lives of monarchs from Elizabeth I to the current occupants of Buckingham Palace… Deft, zesty social history. * Kirkus *If Downton Abbey showcases a well-oiled machine of domestic efficiency in an English estate, you might think the servants surrounding British monarchs would be held to an even higher standard of discretion and excellence. And, as historian Tinniswood warns, you’d be entirely wrong. The reality, as he explores in this diverting book covering the domestic life at court from Elizabeth to Elizabeth, is both much messier and incredibly interesting… This rare glimpse into royal households reveals the priorities and peculiarities of kings and queens. * Booklist *Tinniswood retells some of the best-known and best-loved episodes in British royal history… with elegance and wit… [and] based on extensive research. -- Linda Porter * BBC History Magazine *

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Book SynopsisMay of Teck, only daughter of a noble family fallen from grace, has been selected to marry the troublesome Prince Eddy, heir to the British throne. Submitting to the wishes of Queen Victoria and under pressure from her family, young May agrees. But just as a spark of love and devotion arises between the young couple, Prince Eddy dies of influenza. To her horror, May discovers she is to be married to the brother, Georgie, instead, a cold and domineering man. But what can she do? From the author of The Prince of Mirrors comes this gripping account of the life of Queen Mary, one of the most formidable queens of Britain.Trade Review'Clark takes an iconic and forbidding figure and transforms her into a passionate, loving and damaged woman' -Simon Russell Beale; 'This is a heart-breaking tale and no mistake. A beautiful and lyrical tale told with deft brilliance' -John Sessions; 'Atmospheric and vividly imagined. 'Valhalla' brings to life a woman who had otherwise seemed frozen in history; its theme of royal duty still all too relevant' -Margaret Drabble; ''Valhalla' is a beautifully crafted novel that succeeds in bringing Queen Mary vividly to life' -Elizabeth Mac Donald, author of 'A Matter of Interpretation'

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Book SynopsisPublished to coincide with Prince William's 40th birthday

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Book SynopsisThe Nawab Nazim was born into one of India's most powerful royal families. Three times the size of Great Britain, his kingdom ranged from the soaring Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. However, in 1880, he was forced to abdicate by the British authorities, who saw him as a threat and permanently abolished his titles. The Nawab's change in fortune marked the end of an era in India and left his secret English family abandoned. The Last Prince of Bengal tells the true story of the Nawab Nazim and his family as they sought by turns to befriend, settle in and eventually escape Britain. From glamourous receptions with Queen Victoria to a scandalous Muslim marriage with an English chambermaid; and from Bengal tiger hunts to sheep farming in the harsh Australian outback, Lyn Innes recounts her ancestors' extraordinary journey from royalty to relative anonymity. This compelling account visits the extremes of British rule in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, exposing complex prejudices regarding race, class and gender. It is the intimate story of one family and their place in defining moments of recent Indian, British and Australian history.Trade Review'I was captivated and surprised by this bitter-sweet history as it twists and turns down three generations, through many astonishing changes of fame and fortune, from a glittering Bengal palace to an Australian sheep farm. Lovingly researched and meticulously told, The Last Prince of Bengal is notable for its candid revelations of British colonial attitudes and hypocrisies across two centuries. A rich, delightful and unexpectedly thought-provoking saga.'--Richard Holmes 'The book is a rich tapestry of family narrative in the course of which various intolerances of nation, ethnicity, class and gender are woven into a story that is deft, alive to irony, and alert to many human foibles - it is a work in which intellectual audacity is matched by sound research and textual scruple. The result is a masterpiece of patient, lucid analysis ... a spellbinding family history.' --Declan Kiberd The Irish Times. 'Lyn Innes explores her ancestors' history in moving detail, capturing the tragic story of the dethroned princes of Bengal who had to make their lives in foreign lands, marked forever by the harsh legacy of Empire.' Shrabani Basu, author of Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant. 'Lyn Innes tells her extraordinary and engrossing personal family history, revealing the ways in which the British Empire brought lives together, and scattered people apart. The Last Prince of Bengal tells us about the multitude histories we carry within, and the humiliations that race, class and faith perpetuate.' --Salil Tripathi, author of The Colonel Who Would Not Repent: The Bangladesh War and its Unquiet Legacy

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Book SynopsisA prominent scholar explores King Arthur’s historical development, proposing that he began as a fictional character developed in the ninth centuryTrade Review"Fascinating, authoritative analysis"—PD Smith, The Guardian “This is a thoughtful and patient, rational and fair-minded book, which critically examines various theories about the starting point for the Arthur myth.” —Dan Jones, The Sunday Times“A leading medievalist takes a clear-eyed look at the evidence for the existence of the legendary Arthur.”—The Sunday Times ‘Best Paperbacks of 2021’“An engaging, interesting and accessible search for the facts behind the legend of King Arthur.” —All About History“It is undoubtedly the case that Professor Higham is extremely well-versed in his subject and that he has a wide-ranging and in-depth familiarity with the literature relevant to his project.” —Mark Jones, Albion Magazine“A well-produced book by a serious scholar” —David Miles, Minerva"King Arthur: The Making of the Legend is the peak of what historical research should be detailed, engaged with the pan-historical scholarly conversation on the mater, and with a level of research that should serve as an example to all other historians."—Meredith Clermont-Ferrand, Journal of British Studies"Likely to be the definitive text on the legendary warrior for the foreseeable future. With his profound knowledge of the rules of historical narrative and patient but forensic analysis of the evidence, Higham's riveting book brings the historical Arthur to what may be his last, decisive battle."—Max Adams, author of In the Land of Giants "A very intelligent book which presents the facts and invites you to draw your own conclusions about this legendary British monarch. If King Arthur didn’t exist, he should have done and Nicholas Higham’s book shows us why. A superb read: scholarly yet accessible. Highly recommended.”—Francis Pryor, author of Britain B.C “This book provides an outstanding, and deeply informed, overview of the various ‘King Arthurs’ in history. Accessible and well-written, it is also a significant contribution to the debate around the historical origins of Arthur.”—Anne Lawrence-Mathers, author of The True History of Merlin the Magician

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Book SynopsisJames VI & I, the namesake of the King James Version of the Bible, had a series of notorious male favourites. No one denies that these relationships were amorous, but were they sexual? Michael B. Young merges political history with recent scholarship in the history of sexuality to answer that question. More broadly, he shows that James's favourites had a negative impact within the royal family, at court, in Parliament, and in the nation at large. Contemporaries raised the spectre of a sodomitical court and an effeminized nation; some urged James to engage in a more virile foreign policy by embarking on war. Queen Anne encouraged a martial spirit and moulded her oldest son to be more manly than his father. Repercussions continued after James's death, detracting from the majesty of the monarchy and contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War. Persons acquainted with the history of sexuality will find surprising premonitions here of modern homosexuality and homophobia. General readers will find a world of political intrigue coloured by sodomy, pederasty, and gender instability. For readers new to the subject, the book begins with a helpful overview of King James's life.

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Book SynopsisLess well-known than his brothers, Edward IV and Richard III, little has been written about George, Duke of Clarence, leaving us with a series of unanswered questions: What was he really like?

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Strickland expertly addresses this imbalanced legacy, building on his previous work to argue that Henry’s role in twelfth-century Angevin politics is not only more complex than has been previously considered, but is also crucial to understanding the nature of events at the time . . . in renegotiating familiar source material, Strickland has provided readers with a fresh picture of an important Medieval figure who has long been deserving of such an excellent biography.”—Thomas Chadwick, Royal Studies“Strickland’s detailed and very readable biography of Henry, the Young King will certainly ensure that his subject is no longer the least known of the Angevin kings.”—William M. Aird, Northern HistorySHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 WOLFSON PRIZE 'In Matthew Strickland’s study of King Henry, royal son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, we have not just the fascinating narrative of a flawed hero’s turbulent life but also a brilliant analysis of the culture of politics at the Angevin court.' - John Gillingham, author of Richard I'This important study of Henry II’s son, the Young King, provides many new insights into the culture and politics of the Angevin Empire, from tournaments to rebellions. The evidence is skilfully used to tease out the character of a neglected figure, and to set his career in a wide European context.' - Michael Prestwich, author of Edward I 'This book is brilliant; it is the best biography of a medieval ruler I have ever read. It will be a lasting monument to both the Young King Henry and to Matthew Strickland's considerable scholarship.' - Stephen Church, author of King John: England, Magna Carta and the Making of a Tyrant

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Book SynopsisNew paperback - Prince Felix Youssoupov was heir to the richest fortune in Russia, and husband to Princess Irina Romanov. He was also involved in the murder of Rasputin, but protected from prosecution by his Romanov connection. Using recently unearthed sources, this book explores the story of this colourful pair, shedding new light on their lives.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the vivid stories of Britain''s iconic rulers, from 600 CE to the present day.From the Saxons to the Windsors, Britain''s royal lineage is brought to life in the pages of this visual guide. Confused about which Henry had six wives and which was crowned at the age of eight? Kings and Queens of England and Scotland documents the public and private lives of the royal dynasties. Year-by-year chronologies reveal the major events of each monarch''s reign, while family trees trace the royal lineage and claim to the throne of each royal house. This new edition features recent royal events, including the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and a biography of King Charles III. With crisp biographies of each sovereign, illustrated with contemporary portraits, painting, or statues. Kings and Queens of England and Scotland is an essential handy reference for all history buffs, and includes the following: - Accessible guide to the monarchs of both England and Scotland with extensive royal history distilled into a handy, compact format.- Concise summaries of every English sovereign from Alfred the Great and his Saxon ancestors to King Charles III.- Family tree for each of the royal houses.- Contemporary portraits, paintings, or photographs with each monarch''s profile.- Concise bullet-point summaries of key events in each monarch''s reign.The ideal history book for history buffs of all ages, whether you are or know of a fan of royal history, or looking for the perfect gift book for history students - Kings and Queens of England and Scotland is your go-to guide for a complete history of the monarchy.

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Book SynopsisAn official BBC book that celebrates the life of Queen Elizabeth II through photographs, some rarely seen, drawn largely from archives of the BBC.The longest-reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II has been at the centre of British life for almost a century. She's led a very public life, seen by millions through photographs, film and television, from the time of her birth in 1926 to the final years of her reign. The embodiment of Britain, she has been a constant, knowledgeable presence in our politics and culture since she came to the throne in 1952. This book celebrates the life of Queen Elizabeth II through photographs and still images, drawn largely from the archives of the BBC, an organisation that received its royal charter only one year after she was born. From her earliest days and first moments of public life, to her Platinum Jubilee and the weddings of her children and grandchildren, this is a lavish tribute to the most public of monarchs, an iconic figure in the hearts and minds of millions throughout the world.

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Book SynopsisDaughter, Wife, Princess, Widow and Queen: Anne Neville had many faces. Shakespeare presents her to us as a woman consumed with rage, bitterness and grief. He has her cursing the killer of her husband and father, before marrying him and condemning herself to despair. She rages, screams and weeps but ultimately she is shown as nothing more than a passive victim of the men who used and exploited her. This could not be further from the truth. Born into one of the most powerful dynasties in medieval England, Anne knew her worth, and her power. She was a great survivor escaping the tide of blood that consumed England not just alive but emerging with a crown on her head. Tragedy would untimely engulf her, the death of her son ended all her hopes for a lasting legacy and her premature death was subject to rumour and speculation.But there is undoubtedly more to Anne than her marriage and her end. She is fascinating, elusive, a powerbroker and very much her father's daughter. This is

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Book SynopsisAn eye-opening book, an intricate and fascinating story' Hilary Mantel1527. Henry, desperate to marry Anne Boleyn and ensure the Tudor line asks Pope Clement VII to grant him a divorce. Enter Gregorio Casali, an Italian diplomat hired to represent Henry's interests in the Vatican. Through six years of persuasion, threats and bribery Casali lives by his wits, playing off one powerful patron against another, negotiating with ambassadors from Spain, France and beyond, each crowding the Vatican to press their interests in the Tudor break up. Before it is done, Henry will decide to divorce not just Catherine, but the Church itself. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Renaissance Italy, The Divorce of Henry VIII combines a gripping family saga with a highly charged political battle between the Tudors and the Vatican to reveal the extraordinary true story behind history's most infamous divorce. (Originally published with the title Our Man in Rome)Trade ReviewAn eye-opening book, an intricate and fascinating story of an elusive man with an impossible job. A brilliant and impressive feat of original research, and necessary reading for anyone fascinated by the story of Henry’s divorce... Catherine Fletcher has allowed the story to tell itself, except that she’s been so clever in the telling of it, cutting through to what matters without over-simplifying * Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall *A glittering debut...drawing on the unexplored riches of Italian Renaissance archives, enlarges the well known story, and to magnificent effect -- Miranda Seymour * Sunday Times *A marvel of close-up detective work -- Duncan Fallowell * Daily Express *Fletcher does her subject great credit. She makes no attempt to either embellish or simplify. She simply tells a cracking story well, in plenty of detail with clarity and insight. Above all she resists the temptation to overlay past events with modern cultural and emotional responses. Her protagonists are never anything but true to their selves and Fletcher richly deserves the title of historian. Jonathan Rhys Meyers need not apply. -- Sarah Vine * The Times *The greatest joy of this splendid book is that it dwells on context. You'll emerge with a keener sense of why the dynastic priorities of Henry VIII ("a mid-ranking northern monarch, a player on the European stage but far from the star of the show") managed to cause such a fuss -- Jonathan Wright * The Herald *

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Book Synopsis''He seems to have laboured under an almost child-like misapprehension about the size of his world. Had greatness not been thrust upon him, he might have lived a life of great harmlessness''The reign of Edward II was a succession of disasters. Inept in war, and in thrall to favourites, most notably the young nobleman Piers Gaveston, he preferred drinking, driving carts and rowing boats to the tedium of government. After twenty ruinous years, he was imprisoned and murdered. This remarkable book gives a glimpse into the abyss: the terrors of kingship.

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Book SynopsisFour centuries ago, a Muslim woman ruled an empire. Her legend still lives, but her story was lost—until now.Trade Review"This is an outstanding book, not only incredibly important but also a fabulous piece of writing. Here, India’s greatest empress is reborn in all her fascinating glory in a luminescent account of her life and times. Ruby Lal has written a classic—one of the best biographies to come out this year and certainly the best ever of Nur Jahan." -- Amanda Foreman, author of The World Made by Women"Lal’s intriguing biography, with its chronology of her relatively swift rise to power and even swifter descent, restores Nur Jahan to her full splendour." -- 10 Books to read in July - BBC Culture"... meticulous book... In filling in the details of Nur Jahan's life, Ms Lal has not only written a revisionist feminist biography; she has also provided a vivid picture of the Mughal court, with its luxuries, beauties, intrigues and horrors." -- The Economist"Ruby Lal, an Indian historian now teaching in America, faces exactly these challenges in writing the biography of the Mughal empress Nur Jahan, a near contemporary of Elizabeth I. That she succeeds so admirably with a relative lack of authentic material is a tribute to her dexterity as a writer. She enlivens the mostly austere historical record by including (with due caveats) the many entertaining legends that have accrued around Nur Jahan over the centuries. In so doing she not only paints an absorbing portrait of a remarkable woman, but also offers a stylish reconstruction of a fascinating slice of Mughal life." -- The Telegraph"A luminous biography... It is a captivating account, its depth of detail recreating a world whose constraints of lineage would seem to preclude the advance of an unknown, self-made, widowed queen... Lal’s book is an act of feminist historiography." -- Rafia Zakaria - The Guardian"Lal... does a marvellous job of piecing together the scant evidence about her heroine's life." -- The Irish Independent"Lal has done a service to readers interested in the Mughal period and the many forgotten or poorly remembered women of Indian history." -- Vikas Bajaj - The New York Times Book Review"Also outstanding is Ruby Lal’s Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan, the story of the first and only female ruler of the Mughal Empire." -- Simon Heffer, History Books of the Year 2018 - The Telegraph"... marvellous..." -- Prospect’s books of 2018—history - Prospect

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Book SynopsisAttempts to find the person (if any) behind the legend of King Arthur have been going on for a long time. The search has revealed many interesting facts and it has also led to sharp disagreements. By the 1980s, the search was more or less abandoned, having reached a dead-end. The Discovery of King Arthur presents an investigation that broke the deadlock. Arthur emerged from it with a firmer status in history. He was also more interesting - more like his legend - than once appeared likely. It became possible to see better why he became the kind of figure he did. The delay in running him to earth was due to the nature of the problem he posed. Medieval authors who gave him his literary grandeur fitted him into what they claimed was Britain''s history several centuries later. Not much of that history can stand up in the light of present day knowledge - it is mostly legend. So historians who looked for Arthur swept the medieval matter aside and searched for him in the scanty older records.

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Book SynopsisMary (1662-94), daughter of James, Duke of York, heir to the English throne, then 15, is said to have wept for a day and a half when she was told she was to marry her cousin, William (1650-1702), son of William II of Orange (1626-50), Stadtholder of the Dutch republic, and Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I of England, who was eleven years older than her. In November 1677, on William''s 27th birthday, they married in a private ceremony at St James''s Palace. William was solemn, James gloomy, Mary in tears, and only King Charles appeared cheerful. This dual biography deals with both the ''life and times'' of the monarchs, and with England''s place in Europe. Interests of the subjects, outside the constitutional, are dealt with, as well as their personal relationships: William''s rumoured homosexuality and Mary''s hinted-at lesbianism; Mary''s troubled personal relations with her father, James II; and the relationship between Mary and her sister and husband''s successor Anne. The book also examines the personal and political relations between William and his uncle Charles II, and between William and Mary and Charles'' illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth.

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Book SynopsisWhen people think of Richard the Lionheart they recall the scene at the end of every Robin Hood epic when he returns from the Crusades to punish his treacherous brother John and the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham.

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Book SynopsisPrince Albert Victor, King Edward Vll''s (r 1901-10) first son and heir to the throne, and popularly known as Eddy, has virtually been airbrushed out of history. In this book, Andrew Cook, the presenter and historical consultant of the Channel 4 documentary on the life of Prince Eddy, reveals the truth about a key royal figure, a man who would have made a fine king and changed the face of the British monarchy.Trade Review"'Andrew Cook is a brilliant investigative historian' ANDREW ROBERTS."

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Book SynopsisCatherine of Braganza has regularly been referred to as ?the forgotten queen? and there is much truth in?this statement. Following her death in 1705, a fully detailed biography in English remained unwritten?until 1915. The last major bio published about her was in Portuguese in 1941 and it has never been?translated into English. Despite her sheltered and religious upbringing, she made a spectacular marriage?that was plagued by the infidelities of her husbands. Readers can readily find published biographies of?Charles II?s many glamourous mistresses, but curiously, little on his wife. This new work presents more?comprehensive information on Catherine?s life in Portugal than previous biographies and integrates new?scholarship regarding Catherine?s practice of queenship and patronage of Catholic Baroque culture in an?effort to carve out a prominent role at the Stuart court and to compete with her rivals. Readers familiar?with Catherine?s story may learn some delightful new details about her life. Catherine has never been forgotten in Portugal. She considered herself Portuguese at heart and during?her reign as Queen of England, she persistently looked out for Portuguese interests. In her own words,?she considered her marriage a personal sacrifice to what was best for her home country. She is one of?the few dowager queens in history to return to her homeland where she acted as regent for her brother. This biography places Catherine within the context of the history of Portugal and their seaborne empire,?and the strong political and commercial ties between England and Portugal dating to the mid-fourteenth?century which played a key role in the culmination of the Marriage Treaty of 1661. Her legacy lives on in?her dowry, specifically the port of Bombay which allowed England to become a global empire,?introducing many everyday items into European culture.

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Book SynopsisThe 'boy-king' is finally shown in a new light: not as an overshadowed son, but as a notable King of England.

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Book SynopsisThis is the Prince Harry you''ve never read about before - the story behind the tabloid stories.Harry is the maverick Prince, who is brilliant, impetuous and unpredictable, and who, at the age of 33, has finally found happiness with the American actress, Meghan Markle - a mixed-race divorcee. He is the redhead that Diana called ''the spare'', whose childhood was one of chaos and loss; the little boy walking behind his mother''s cortege who broke our hearts. This is the story of how he survived the loss and chaos; growing up in the shadow of his older brother to become a leader of men. This is the story of how the troubled teenager grew into a soldier, a pilot, an adventurer and a passionate champion of those who are in danger of being destroyed or forgotten. Written with the help of many of the most important people in his life, this is the first authoritative biography of this most delightful, charismatic and dangerous of the Queen''s grandsons.Trade ReviewA good read ... this is a book about what it is like to have your world implode when you are 13 years old, to grow up as the 'spare' of a famously dead mother, to be a normal bloke in an utterly abnormal position. * Telegraph *The kind of authoritative, compassionate and revealing royal biography we have come to expect from Penny. * Choice magazine *Junor's unique access to those close to the Royal family has enabled her to build up an intimate portrait. * Daily Mail *Royal biographer Penny Junor goes beneath the clichés in her new book, Prince Harry. * Express *

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Book Synopsis* * 'Very funny and astute . . . a loathly feast for royal-watchers' Hilary Mantel, New Statesman Books of the Year 2018'Almost every page is a gem'A. N. Wilson, Spectator Christmas Books'A complete delight, conjuring up, with a few sharp strokes of the pen, a mad, exotic species from a world gone by'Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday* * *When James Pope-Hennessy began his work on Queen Mary's official biography, it opened the door to meetings with royalty, court members and retainers around Europe. The series of candid observations, secrets and indiscretions contained in his notes were to be kept private for 50 years. Now published in full for the first time and edited by the highly admired royal biographer Hugo Vickers, this is a riveting, often hilarious portrait of the eccentric aristocracy of a bygone age. Giving much greater insight into Queen Mary than the official version, and including sharply observed encounters with, among others, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Duke of Gloucester, and a young Queen Elizabeth, The Quest for Queen Mary is set to be a classic of royal publishing.Trade Review'Arguably the most riotously funny volume published this year' -- Max Hastings * The Sunday Times *'A complete delight, conjuring up, with a few sharp strokes of the pen, a mad, exotic species from a world gone by . . . one of this year's funniest and most eccentric books' -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *'Superbly edited ... like all the best interviews, these are stories about the hunter circling his prey, and they reveal as much about the interviewer as his subject ... a splendid book' -- Jane Ridley * Spectator *'Illuminating, intriguing and boundlessly entertaining' -- Martin Williams * Country Life *'Intoxicating, frank and often hilarious anthology of interviews . . . what this fine book demonstrates with wit, candour, and unassailable force, is that royal persons are not at all like ordinary people' -- Alexander Waugh * New York Review of Books *'This is a wonderful book: both comedy and social history of the first order. Each page has something both hilarious and surprising. All with an undertow of melancholy - that the diaries have had to wait for so many decades to appear, and that the people in it are so long gone. We are lucky to enjoy their eccentricities and characters afresh.' -- Roland Philipps, author of A SPY NAMED ORPHAN

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Book SynopsisThe acclaimed biography by Jeffrey Robinson, now revised and updated to coincide with the major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman as Princess Grace.It was one of the most famous romances of the 20th century-Europe's most eligible bachelor, Prince Rainier of Monaco, and America's most beautiful movie star, the Academy Award-winning actress Grace Kelly, fell in love against the backdrop of the closest thing the modern world has to a magical kingdom, the French Riviera's Principality of Monaco.Told with affection and humor, and written with the unprecedented cooperation of Prince Rainier III and his children, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, and Princess Stephanie, Grace of Monaco takes readers beneath the surface glitz and the glamour of Monte Carlo for a never-to-be-forgotten portrait of the House of Grimaldi.Trade Review"One of the best biographies of the year." -- St. Louis Post Dispatch "Rekindles the magic of the century's greatest love stories." -- Daily Express "Wonderful." -- USA Today "Creates a picture of a fascinating woman and an enduring love affair." -- Boston Herald "The first inside story of the world's most glamorous family." -- Sunday Mirror Infodad blog, 7/9/15 "There is a fair amount of information here about Monaco, much of it interesting history...The book's discussion of how their public-relations work was handled by Nadia Lacoste certainly offers insight into celebrity management and marketing--at least in the 1950s...Robinson's book shows clearly how Grace and Rainier fit the "untouchable" model of celebrity, with people wanting to know everything they could about them, see as much of them as possible, but never for a moment believing that the glamorous lives of Grace and Rainier were anything like their own mundane ones...Grace of Monaco is a story of what celebrity used to be and how it changed over time."

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Book Synopsis'Fresh, gripping and vivid' Simon Sebag Montefiore 'Majestically narrated' Dan Jones 'A portrait that chills you to the bone' Leanda de Lisle, The TimesA dedicated brother and loyal stalwart to the Yorkist dynasty for most of his early life, Richard's personality was forged in the tribulation of exile and the brutality of combat. An ambitious nobleman and successful general with a loyal following, he could claim to have achieved every ambition in life except one: the crown.By stripping back the legends that surround England's most controversial king and returning to original manuscript evidence, Chris Skidmore's compelling biography reveals Richard III as contemporaries saw him.Trade ReviewExhaustively researched, scrupulously even-handed and a genuinely fresh approach to one of the most ploughed-over and controversial reigns in English history. Skidmore neatly sidesteps the by-now sterile controversy about Richard's character and draws instead on the unusually full documentation of the reign to offer a detailed and persuasive narrative of what Richard actually did - and, at least as importantly, what he was thought to have done -- David StarkeyA fresh, gripping and vivid portrait of a Richard III who is not just chilling, ruthless and terrifying but also a practical politician in a brutal age - a man of his time -- Simon Sebag MontefioreA bold and fresh new biography of one of the most enduringly fascinating monarchs in all of British history, steeped in the latest research and majestically narrated -- Dan JonesA deeply absorbing account - intelligent, forensic and thought-provoking - of one of the most dramatic, disturbed and disturbing moments in English history -- Helen CastorThrillingly paced, meticulously researched, refreshingly free of psychological speculations, Skidmore's supremely insightful biography is a joy to read -- John GuyA portrait that chills you to the bone ... Skidmore describes Richard's death in horrifying detail ... It marks the bloody climax to a biography in which the unfolding horror comes from the slow burn of detail drawn from manuscript sources and recent scholarship judiciously presented, and in a story well told -- Leanda de Lisle * The Times *Richard III, of all the English monarchs, deserves a fair hearing and Chris Skidmore's meticulous account does justice to this vilified king. With forensic detail, Skidmore looks at sources as well as rumours to build a picture of the last Plantagenet monarch. What shines out from this modern biography is the author's attempt to be fair to the last English king to ride in battle, who took murderous decisions in life; but died a hero -- Philippa GregoryScholarly and genuinely objective ... Skidmore is adept at placing in proper perspective the dilemmas that faced Richard ... Highly readable -- Andrew Roberts * Wall Street Journal *Skidmore's new biography of Richard is a full and measured account of his subject ... [He] tells the story with style and the empathy of a well-trained historian ... Skidmore has given us an eminently readable account of Richard's life and reign, firmly anchored in fifteenth-century politics and culture -- David Grummitt * Times Literary Supplement *It is all but impossible to write either something fresh, or something fair, about Richard III, yet Chris Skidmore has pulled off both feats. Wide-ranging research brings out a Richard who is neither the crookbacked villain nor the victim, but a man for all political seasons, whose fall illumines his violent, complex age -- Sarah Gristwood, author of Game of Queens[Examines hostile indictments of Richard III] with sharp writing and a marvellously exhaustive command of contemporary documentary sources ... In the author's hands, there's no lack of thrilling details in Richard's saga ... His biography bids fair to become the definitive account for the twenty-first century -- Bob Duffy * Washington Independent Review of Books *King Richard III is one of the most divisive figures in history, but this new biography aims to ignore the controversy and return to the facts: his personality, motivations and allegiances. How single-minded was his pursuit of power, and what role did he really play in the deaths of his young nephews? * History Revealed *This first-rate book ... will be read with great profit and pleasure by fellow historians, and by all those who simply enjoy learning about dramatic episodes in the past from a fine writer -- Alistair Lexden * The London Magazine *Skidmore successfully creates a balanced biography of the famously complicated last king of the Yorkist line ... [T]his carefully researched biography effectively captures Richard's turbulent reign and intense personality up to the violent end * Publishers Weekly *No monarch in British history excites greater curiosity ... This first-rate book of some 400 pages will be read with great profit and pleasure by fellow historians - and by all those who simply enjoy learning about dramatic episodes in the past from a fine writer -- Lord Lexden * The House Magazine *His portrayal of Richard is balanced; his narrative detailed and engaging. For those familiar with Richard's life, this will be a refreshing read; for those not, this will be an excellent introduction * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisExploring beyond the banal newspaper headlines that have caricatured our future king over the years, Robert Jobson's biography provides a fresh insight into the extraordinary life of HRH Charles, Prince of Wales as he passes his seventieth birthday at a watershed in the history of the modern British monarchy. Based on extensive fresh material and resources, the book debunks the myths about the man who will be king, telling his full, true story. The author has met Prince Charles on countless occasions, and draws on the knowledge and memories of a number of sources close to the prince who have never spoken before, as well as members of the Royal Household past and present who have served him during his decades of public service. The book also reveals the truth about the Prince's deeply loving but not always conventional relationship with his second wife and chief supporter, Camilla. The result is an intriguing new portrait of a man on the cusp of kingship.Charles: Our Future King explores the Prince's complex character, his profoundly held beliefs and deep thinking about religion - including Islam - politics, the armed services, the monarchy and the constitution, providing an illuminating portrait of what kind of king Charles III will be.Trade ReviewA compelling book full of ground-breaking new material -- Book review * Daily Mail *Shocking and ground-breaking -- Book review * Daily Mirror *A bombshell new book -- Book review * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisCleopatra Selene, daughter of Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Mark Antony, was the only member of the Ptolemaic dynasty to survive after her parents were defeated by the future Roman emperor Augustus at the Battle of Actium. Paraded as a prisoner in a Roman triumph, then brought up in the household of Augustus’ sister Octavia, she would marry a North African prince, becoming co-ruler of the Roman client-state of Mauretania. Jane Draycott recreates the life and times of a woman who became a powerful ruler in her own right at a time when most women were marginalised, and whose remarkable life shines new and revelatory light on Roman politics, society and culture in the early years of the Empire.Trade ReviewAnyone who wants to learn more about [an] underappreciated female ruler should read this book * All About History *Draycott brings to life the little-known story of an intelligent, powerful woman of mixed Macedonian, Roman, and Egyptian heritage making her own way in exciting historical times -- Adrienne Mayor, author of The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient WorldA vibrant and fascinating portrait of a great woman who deserves her place in the pantheon of Roman queens -- Emma Southon, author of Agrippina: The Most Extraordinary Woman of the Roman WorldFascinating! Full of fabulous facts about ancient Rome, Egypt and North Africa. I loved all the details of life in Cleopatra's world supported by a feast of visual and literary references -- Caroline Lawrence, author of The Roman MysteriesJane Draycott has written an excellent account of Cleopatra's daughter – princess, captive, and queen. In Draycott's capable hands, the archaeological evidence tells half the tale, and it is intriguing. Here, Cleopatra Selene finally attains her rightful place in history -- Barry Strauss, Cornell University, author of The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at ActiumIt is extraordinary that such a story has remained untold for so long. The historian and archaeologist Jane Draycott has masterfully pieced together a rich range of literary and artistic sources to create this immensely readable account of a great queen, Egyptian and Roman, who wielded power at a time when women were largely marginalised. * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisPrincess Diana is seen as the first member of the British royal family to tear up the rulebook, and the Duchess of Cambridge is modernising the monarchy in strides. But before them was another who paved the way.Princess Mary was born in 1897. Despite her Victorian beginnings, she strove to make a princess’s life meaningful, using her position to help those less fortunate and defying gender conventions in the process. As the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, she would live to see not only two of her brothers ascend the throne but also her niece Queen Elizabeth II.She was one of the hardest-working members of the royal family, known for her no-nonsense approach and her determination in the face of adversity. During the First World War she came into her own, launching an appeal to furnish every British troop and sailor with a Christmas gift, and training as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital.From her dedication to the war effort, to her role as the family peacemaker during the Abdication Crisis, Mary was the princess who redefined the title for the modern age. In the first biography in decades, Elisabeth Basford offers a fresh appraisal of Mary’s full and fascinating life.Trade ReviewAt last a biography of Princess Mary, the Queen’s aunt – and a good one ... She has long deserved a full study and in Elisabeth Basford, she has found a dedicated and sympathetic biographer, who has done her full justice -- Hugo VickersAn enjoyable, worthwhile story, not least in its celebration of an exemplary royal record undertaken with modesty, kindliness and sincerity -- Matthew Dennison, Daily TelegraphFilled with never previously known information, this first full biography is the definitive read for this refreshingly forward-looking, eternally good-willed and relatively little-known Princess -- Annabel Sampson, TatlerShe was an exemplar of the unflagging postwar countess, always doing good, always keeping busy to stave off grief. When we contemplate the Queen’s lifelong devotion to duty, we sense the influence of her unpretentious aunt -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham, The TimesSurprisingly, there has never been a biography of Princess Mary, the Queen's aunt and sister to George VI and the Duke of Windsor, until now. Elisabeth Basford's diligently researched account of the princess's life is therefore a welcome one ... Basford persuasively argues that she was a thoroughly modern member of the royal family, possessed of genuine compassion and interest in helping others ... Perhaps some of her descendants could learn from her -- Alexander Larman, Observer

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Book SynopsisThe expertly written text offers an insight into the private and public life of the heir to the throne of England, from his early years at Buckingham Palace through to his education at Gordonstoun and Trinity College, Cambridge, as well as his time in the Royal Navy. With a wide range of humanitarian and social interests, Charles is patron to a number of charities and organisations, including The Princes’s Trust, founded in 1976. He has played a central role as father to Princes William and Harry and his devotion and dedication to his mother, Queens Elizabeth II, is outstanding. This beautifully illustrated biography is part of the Pitkin Royal Collection series, celebrating the lives of the British royal family. Other notable titles in this insightful series include Royal Babies, The Queen and Her Family and Queen Elizabeth II.

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Book SynopsisHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Britain's head of state for a remarkable seven decades.She was revered for her steadfastness, admired for her dedication to her country, loved for her sense of humour and the way she put everyone she met at ease.The Queen was, quite simply, one of a kind. She was a record breaker her reign was the longest of any British monarch; she was the world's oldest monarch; and she was the first British monarch to reach the age of 95. Not only that, her marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, which lasted 73 years until his death in 2021, was the longest of any British sovereign.In tribute to a truly remarkable queen who was also a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother this publication looks back on her fascinating life, the people she met, the places she visited, her family and her commitment to her country and Commonwealth.This revised and updated edition, originally published as The Queen at 95, contains hundreds of carefully chosen images that mark her 70-year reign and pays tribute to her unwavering devotion to duty.

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Book SynopsisKing Farouk came to the throne in 1936, at the tender age of 16. The young monarch? s rule was to the be the last in a dynasty that had run this ancient land since 1805. Melekper Toussoun? s account is a history told from the inside, as someone who was part of that final dynasty which held the helm until the monarchy was toppled in a coup d''é tat in 1952 ? a coup d? é tat that would probably not have taken place had the young king not suffered an accident that affected the neuronal pathways in his brain.This evocative and highly personal narrative tells the story of the young monarch, and pivots on one central event that was to change everything - Farouk? s car accident on a country road in 1943, in which he sustained an injury which, without damaging his intellectual faculties, changed instantly and permanently his behaviour and personality. Melekper Toussoun evocatively conveys the stresses and strains the king was under through those tortured years, and highlights the gulf between his behaviour before and after the accident where ''Farouk was no longer Farouk.''

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Book SynopsisThis “engrossing, fast-paced, extremely well-researched biography” (Booklist) transports us to Tudor and Stuart England as Alice Spencer, the daughter of an upstart sheep farmer, becomes one of the most powerful women in the country and establishes a powerful dynasty that endures to this day. Perfect for fans of The Duchess Countess and Georgiana.Alice Spencer was born in 1560 to a family on the rise. Her grandfather had amassed a sizeable estate of fertile grazing land and made a small fortune in sheep farming, allowing him to purchase a simple but distinguished manor house called Althorp. With her sizable dowry, Alice married the heir to one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the country, eventually becoming the Countess of Derby. Though she enjoyed modest renown, it wasn’t until her husband’s sudden death (after he turned in a group of Catholics for plotting against Queen Elizabeth I) that Alice a

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Book Synopsis'A delightful insight into an eclectic life'The Daily Telegraph'Very funny and astute . . . a loathly feast for royal-watchers' Hilary Mantel, New Statesman Books of the Year 2018'A complete delight, conjuring up, with a few sharp strokes of the pen, a mad, exotic species from a world gone by'Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday'Gloriously indiscreet . . . the best royal book ever'Harry Mount, Financial Times* * *When James Pope-Hennessy began his work on Queen Mary's official biography, it opened the door to meetings with royalty, court members and retainers around Europe. The series of candid observations, secrets and indiscretions contained in his notes were to be kept private for 50 years. Now published in full for the first time and edited by the highly admired royal biographer Hugo Vickers, this is a riveting, often hilarious portrait of the eccentric aristocracy of a bygone age. Giving much greater insight into Queen Mary than the official version, and including sharply observed encounters with, among others, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Duke of Gloucester, and a young Queen Elizabeth, The Quest for Queen Mary is set to be a classic of royal publishing.Trade Review'Arguably the most riotously funny volume published this year' -- Max Hastings * The Sunday Times *'A complete delight, conjuring up, with a few sharp strokes of the pen, a mad, exotic species from a world gone by . . . one of this year's funniest and most eccentric books' -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *'Intoxicating, frank and often hilarious anthology of interviews . . . what this fine book demonstrates with wit, candour, and unassailable force, is that royal persons are not at all like ordinary people' -- Alexander Waugh * New York Review of Books *'Illuminating, intriguing and boundlessly entertaining' -- Martin Williams * Country Life *'Superbly edited ... like all the best interviews, these are stories about the hunter circling his prey, and they reveal as much about the interviewer as his subject ... a splendid book' -- Jane Ridley * Spectator *'Wickedly indiscreet . . . one of those rare books that will fascinate and amuse' * The Herald Scotland *

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Book SynopsisElizabeth Revealed is a lively and affectionate celebration of The Queen's long and eventful life. This gorgeously illustrated book blends personal and public, frivolous and factual in a tribute to an extraordinary woman and the sweeping social changes she has lived through. The enjoyable '500 Facts' format highlights surprising aspects of The Queen's intimate life, the good and the bad years. It offers illuminating glimpses into a changing monarchy and royal family life as an elegant young princess developed into the most famous woman in the world.

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