Biography: royalty Books

Book SynopsisA BBC History Magazine Book of the Year A writer, soldier, politician, courtier, spy and explorer, Sir Walter Ralegh lived more lives than most in his own time, in any time. The fifth son of a Devonshire gentleman, he rose to become Queen Elizabeth’s favourite, only to be charged with treason by her successor. Less than a year after the death of his Queen, Ralegh was in the Tower, watching as the scene was set for his own execution. Patriot or Traitor is the dramatic story of his rise and fall.Trade Review‘What brings the book to brilliant life is Ralegh’s voice. In conversation with his writing, Beer’s prose soars… It’s hard not to think Sir Walter would have approved.’ * Guardian *‘Beer’s book is a rigorous and readable take on her subject – it captures the full scope of the character of Ralegh, one that remains frustrating, but endlessly fascinating.’ * The Times *‘This beautifully written and impeccably researched biography offers a fresh perspective on one of the most colourful and controversial characters of the Tudor and Stuart age. The hero of Elizabeth I and the scourge of her successor, Ralegh is brought to life as never before.’ -- Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors‘With colourful detail and astute interpretation, esteemed historian Beer follows Ralegh’s dramatic rise and disastrous fall… the full story is well-told here.’ * Booklist *‘Heroic, grasping, gifted, a poet and politician, an explorer, dreamer and schemer – an iconic renaissance man brought vividly to life in this work of maturity, judgement and humanity.’ -- Sarah Fraser, author of The Prince Who Would Be King‘A fascinating investigation of Ralegh – bringing to life this complex, mysterious character, and the beginnings of the Elizabethan Empire in all its brutal reality – showing us the world he travelled and the Queen herself, commanding, frustrating, and unpicks the truth of his shocking and rapid fall from power.’ -- Kate Williams, author of Rival Queens‘A fascinating reappraisal. Beer brings Ralegh to life as a man, as well as providing exceptional detail on the times in which he lived. I highly recommend it.’ -- Elizabeth Norton, author of The Lives of Tudor Women‘Writing with pace and personality, Anna Beer captures Sir Walter Ralegh in all his paradoxical complexity: his bravery and intellectual energy, the man of violence who also wrote passionate poetry, his lust for life competing with a desire for a good death. Sometimes drawn to Ralegh and at other times repelled by him, Anna Beer assays his career with honesty and sharp observation.’ -- John Cooper, author of The Queen’s Agent‘Much of what we think we know about Sir Walter Ralegh – potatoes, tobacco, spreading his cloak over a “plashy place” – is fable. The real story is far more exciting. Here was a man who both achieved and failed extravagantly, who was both hated and loved excessively, and who both lived life and faced death courageously. In this fascinating, eloquent and scholarly new book, Anna Beer reveals the full measure of the man.’ -- Suzannah Lipscomb, author of The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII

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Book SynopsisWITH NEW AFTERWORD FROM THE AUTHOR.When you're the most famous woman in the world, can you really love in secret?When Princess Diana flew to Pakistan in May 1997, she went to meet the family of Dr Hasnat Khan, the man she wanted to marry. One of the most well-known and beautiful women in the world, she hoped to persuade Dr Khan's mother that she would make a suitable wife for her son. However, this was not the only hurdle to overcome: the man she called her 'Mr Wonderful' was a dedicated professional who sought to avoid the limelight – a fact that would test their love to the limits. Had their relationship succeeded, the events of that summer might have been very different.Sharing powerful testimony from Diana's closest confidants, and that of Dr Khan's own family, as well as information released during the inquests into the deaths of Diana and Dodi Fayed, this book offers a unique insight into Diana's world and the events central to her last years.This special new edition of an international bestseller, released in the year that would've marked Diana's 60th birthday, features a new afterword from the author reflecting on the legacy of this most extraordinary of women.Table of ContentsForeword • Prologue • PART ONE - The Real Diana: 'I am unwanted' • 'I want to turn back' • The Unthinkable Happens • Home Alone • 'Just call me Diana' • 'I am destroyed, I am destroyed' • PART TWO: 'What can I do to help?' • 'Do you know Imran Khan?' • 'Maybe it's time!' • 'Isn't he drop dead gorgeous!' • 'Natty' • PART THREE: 'He's doing everything he tells his patients not to do!' • 'I'm sure we've met before' • 'I have finished my ironing. Would you like me to do yours?' • 'We should invite Ms. Bhutto for a special viewing!' • 'We are laughing ourselves silly over this' • 'I wouldn't be seen dead in virtually any of them!' • Caught between a rock and a hard place • PART FOUR: 'I want to marry Hasnat Khan;' 'Tell Dr. Hasnat to marry the Princess!' • 'Tell Hasnat I'm coming back' • Anatomy of a Kiss • 'Look here, I'm not for sale!' • The Rescue Mission • Her Last Love • The Funeral • Epilogue • Appendices: 1. Timeline; 2. Sources; 3. List of illustrations • Acknowledgements • Index.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER 'Explosive' The Sun 'Accounts from insiders who have never spoken before' The Times 'Bombshell' The Mirror The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened. The public remains puzzled. Meghan's success has alternatively won praise, bewildered and outraged. Confused by the Sussexes' slick publicity, few understand the real Meghan Markle. What lies ahead for Meghan? And what has happened to the family she married into? Can the Windsors restore their reputation? With extensive research, expert sourcing and interviews from insiders who have never spoken before, Tom Bower, Britain's leading investigative biographer, unpicks the tangled web of courtroom drama, courtier politics and thwarted childhood dreams to uncover an astonishing story of love, betrayal, secrets and revenge.

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Book Synopsis'Diana was the very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of beauty. All over the world she was a symbol of selfless humanity. All over the world, a standard bearer for the rights of the truly downtrodden, a very British girl who transcended nationality. Someone with a natural nobility who was classless and who proved in the last year that she needed no royal title to continue to generate her particular brand of magic...'From Charles Spencer's address at his sister Diana's funeral, Westminster Abbey, 6 September 1997Today, twenty-five years since Diana's death, seems the right moment for a reassessment of this remarkable woman. Did the Royal Family learn lessons from her life, about protection and privacy, about how to incorporate 'outsiders' into their ranks, about how to manage scandal? Did it take any lessons from her death, and the public's reaction not only to that, but to the behaviour of, in particular, the Queen and Prince Charles, in the aftermath? Or have the family and the Palace - 'the men in grey suits', as Diana called them - continued on the same track, unchanged, repeating many of the mistakes made with her, from her first nervous ventures in royal circles to her later defiance of traditional protocols?These and many other questions are explored in this authoritative book, written by two people closely associated with Diana: Inspector Ken Wharfe was the Princess's police protection officer for six years during the most turbulent period of her marriage to Prince Charles. Ros Coward was chosen as author of the official book by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Trust. Their book is both an examination of the people and events of the time, and an elegiac tribute to one of the most iconic figures of the late twentieth century.

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Book SynopsisQueen Elizabeth II was much more than Britain's oldest or longest-serving monarch. Admired around the world for her serenity, wisdom and unwavering devotion to duty, she was a rock of stability in turbulent, changing times.Served by no less than 15 prime ministers, her extraordinary reign saw her visit more than 100 countries as she rubbed shoulders with powerful leaders and influential thinkers. And as Britain's empire declined, she pledged her 'heart and soul' as Head of the Commonwealth, made up of 54 richly diverse countries.The 170 quotes inside capture the queen's personal reflections on everything from history, world affairs and the monarchy to service, sacrifice and the family. Teeming with inspirational words and pearls of royal wisdom, this book is a fitting tribute to a much cherished sovereign.Table of ContentsThe Crown • The Sweep of History • The Commonwealth • Duty • The Firm • Observations • We Are Amused • Wisdom.

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Book SynopsisHistorians and broadcasters Peter Snow and Ann MacMillan tell the real stories of the most powerful men and women in British history.Kings & Queens explores the lives, loves, triumphs and disasters of a monarchy that is the envy of the world. Snow and MacMillan offer a unique insight into those born to rule, whether villains or heroes – from cruel King John and warrior-king Edward III, to our own Elizabeth II: dutiful, discreet and the longest-reigning queen in the world.This is the story of modern civilization through the lens of those who have ruled.Table of ContentsThe Anglo-Saxons c.800-1066 • William I the Conqueror 1066-87 • William II 1087-1100 • Henry I 1100-35 • Stephen 1135-54 • Henry II 1154-89 • Richard I 1189-99 • John 1199-1216 • Henry III 1216-72 • Edward I 1272-1307 • Edward II 1307-27 • Edward III 1327-77 • Richard II 1377-99 • Henry IV 1399-1413 • Henry V 1413-22 • Henry VI 1422-61 • Edward IV 1461-70 • Henry VI 1470-71 • Edward IV 1471-83 • Edward V 1483 • Richard III 1483-85 • Henry VII 1483-1509 • Henry VIII 1509-47 • Edward VI 1547-53 • Mary I 1553-58 • Elizabeth I 1558-1603 • James I (VI of Scotland) 1603-25 • Charles I 1625-49 • Charles II 1660-85 • James II 1685-88 • William III and Mary II 1689-1702 • Anne 1702-14 • George I 1714-27 • George II 1727-60 • George III 1760-1820 • George IV 1820-30 • William IV 1830-37 • Victoria 1837-1901 • Edward VII 1901-10 • George V 1910-36 • Edward VIII 1936 • George VI 1936-52 • Elizabeth II 1952-

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Book SynopsisMary Queen of Scots is perhaps one of the most controversial and divisive monarchs in regal history. Her story reads like a particularly spicy novel, with murder, kidnap, adultery, assassination and execution. To some she is one of the most wronged women in history, a pawn used and abused by her family in the great monarchical marriage game; to others, a murderous adulteress who committed regicide to marry her lover and then spent years in captivity for the crime, endlessly plotting the demise of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England.This book covers the breathtaking scope of her amazing life and examines the immense cultural legacy she left behind, from the Schiller play of the 1800s to The CW teen drama Reign. Temptress, terrorist, or tragic queen, this book will give you the lowdown on one of history’s most misunderstood monarchs.Trade Review'A bright and breezy account of the complex life of Mary Stuart' -- Philippa Gregory

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Book SynopsisExplore the political and moral significance of the famous and more obscure incidents in the lives of Britain's monarchs

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Book Synopsis***Published in honour of our late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, The Platinum Queen presents seven decades of world history through the words of Britain's longest-reigning monarch: over 256 exquisitely designed pages, packed with 130 photos and featuring every single major speech given over the course of Her late Majesty's time on the throne, a foreword by Jennie Bond and historical context to each decade.***For the first time, all 70 of our late Queen's Christmas speeches are published together in full, along with six additional feature speeches made at significant points in her life.Organised by decade, each chapter opens with a narrative essay on the key events that follow, providing an important contextual backdrop to the speeches. From times of national and global turmoil - including wars, terror attacks and health crises - to times of joy - such as the new millennium and Olympics - The Platinum Queen is a testament to the late Elizabeth's unwavering resolve, faith and dedication to her role.

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Book SynopsisCatherine, Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a new life when she married Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in April 2011. Now she is the wife and mother of future monarchs. She has proved herself more than equal to the demanding life of a member of the Royal Family, and meanwhile has become a fashion icon and ambassador for several charities. This superbly illustrated souvenir guide follows her life, from her happy childhood and prestigious education to her fairy-tale wedding and the births of her two beautiful children. Catherine, with her natural charm, easy manner and kind nature, has won hearts in Britain and around the world. This is her story.

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Book Synopsis'A hell of a tale and Jonathan Beckman gives it all the verve and swagger it deserves . . . I read it with fascination, delight and frequent snorts of incredulity' The Spectator On 5 September 1785, a trial began in Paris that would divide the country, captivate Europe and send the French monarchy tumbling down the slope towards the Revolution. Cardinal Louis de Rohan, scion of one of the most ancient and distinguished families in France, stood accused of forging Marie Antoinette's signature to fraudulently obtain the most expensive piece of jewellery in Europe - a 2,400-carat necklace worth 1.6 million francs.Where were the diamonds now? Was Rohan entirely innocent? Was, for that matter, the queen? What was the role of the charismatic magus, the comte de Cagliostro, who was rumoured to be two-thousand-years old and capable of transforming metal into gold?This is a tale of political machinations and extravagance on an enormous scale; of kidnappings, prison breaks and assassination attempts; of hapless French police disguised as colliers, reams of lesbian pornography and a duel fought with poisoned pigs. It is a detective story, a courtroom drama, a tragicomic farce, and a study of credulity and self-deception in the Age of Enlightenment.Trade ReviewGlittering and gloriously goofy . . . This is a terrific tale, told with assurance and gusto * Guardian *Jonathan Beckman has an eye for a good story. His account of the affair is full of human drama, including illicit sex, assassination attempts and prison escapes . . . a superb piece of research that separates myth from reality * Sunday Business Post *A really fascinating history * Dan Stevens *Stranger than fiction and told with a verve that suggests the author relishes his dodgy tale * Country Life *Jonathan Beckman has tunnelled into the warren of misinformation . . . and has come out with what must be as near to the truth as we'll get * Daily Mail *Jonathan Beckman tells his complicated tale with gusto * Observer *A wonderfully enjoyable account of one of the most audacious cons ever perpetrated * John Preston, Evening Standard Books of the Year *Jonathan Beckman dazzlingly rehabilitates Marie Antoinette in an atmospheric and evocative account of diamonds, fraud, intrigue and a 1785 case that stoked antiroyalist feeling in France * Telegraph Books of the Year *A richly enjoyable account of one of the most audacious scams ever perpetrated * Mail on Sunday *Beckman's tale of the Diamond Necklace Affair is full of character and tawdry details, and glistens with wit and insight * Daily Telegraph *Beckman has waded through masses of evidence from the trial to retell this fascinating and complicated story * Daily Mail *Gripped me like a whodunnit . . . That's not surprising. It relates the story of the greatest crime caper of the 18th Century * The Times *Beckman has waded through masses of evidence from the trial to retell this fascinating and complicated story * Irish Daily Mail *Beckman's diligent detective work uncovers the murky truth behind this cause celebre * Mail on Sunday *Stranger than fiction but just as gripping, How to Ruin a Queen is a masterly exploration of the 'diamond necklace' affair * Hilary Mantel *A work of scholarship and imagination, that focusses new light on the famous and extraordinary affair of Marie Antoinette and the stolen diamonds. The narrative is like an ingenious chess game showing us the complex moves of bishops, knights and pawns round the king and queen. Jonathan Beckman is the new Wilkie Collins of biographical history * Michael Holroyd *How to Ruin a Queen is a fascinating and impeccably researched account of one of the great scandals of the 18th century. Beckman is a master-storyteller whose consummate skills are evident on every page * Amanda Foreman *A murky story of the Ancien Regime including diamonds and sex, brilliantly told * Lady Antonia Fraser *Necklace to neckless! This is the murky tale of the diamond heist that led to Marie Antoinette's demise * Tatler *A rollicking whodunit * Independent *A hell of a tale and Jonathan Beckman gives it all the verve and swagger it deserves . . . I read it with fascination, delight and frequent snorts of incredulity - and I strongly suspect you will too * The Spectator *Fascinating . . . a gripping detective story and a witty revelation of a scandal that shocked Paris * BBC History Magazine *In his intriguing history, Jonathan Beckman has spun out of this dirty tangle of source material a clear and compelling narrative line . . . with its exuberant use of language and subtly ironic storytelling, it is almost as colourful as the scandal it explores * Sunday Times *Gripped me like a whodunit . . . Beckman tells this scarcely believable story with flair * The Times *Jonathan Beckman skilfully unfolds the intricacies and absurdities of this extraordinary episode . . . Beckman provides us with an engaging and finely researched study of an affair that, despite having the plot of a frothy operetta, was of genuine historical significance * Literary Review *As gripping as a heist movie * Mail on Sunday *A gem . . . glistening with wit and insight * Sunday Telegraph *Fast-paced, colourful and rich * The Economist *Vivid and compelling * History Revealed *

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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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