Description
Book SynopsisDespite its reputation as the longest established in Europe, the history of the English monarchy is punctuated by scandal, murders, betrayals, plots, and treason. Since William the Conqueror seized the crown in 1066, England has seen three civil wars; six monarchs have been murdered or executed; the throne of England has been usurped four times, and won in battle three times; and personal scandals and royal family quarrels abound.
Dark History of the Kings & Queens of England provides an exciting and dramatic account of English royal history from 1066 to the present day. This engrossing book explores the scandal and intrigue behind each royal dynasty, from the ‘accidental’ murder of William II in 1100, through the excesses of Richard III, Henry VIII and ‘Bloody’ Mary, to the conspiracies surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, William and Kate Middleton’s on-off courtship before they married, and Prince Harry’s years of partying, girlfriends and Las Vegas strip poker, before his 2018 marriage to American divorcée Meghan Markle.
Carefully researched, superbly entertaining and illustrated throughout with more than 200 colour and black-and-white photographs and artworks, this accessible and immensely enjoyable book highlights the true personalities and real lives of the individuals honoured with the crown of England—and those unfortunate enough to cross their paths.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Chapter 1: Conspirators and Conquerors: A Dirty Business — The Normans
Chapter 2: Unholy Alliances — The Plantagenets Part I
Chapter 3: Crusading Kings and Troublesome Barons — The Plantagenets Part II
Chapter 4: Lovers, Land and Treason — The Plantagenets Part III
Chapter 5: Insanity, Civil War and Child Murder — The Plantagenets Part IV
Chapter 6: Conspiracy and Bloodshed — The Tudors Part I
Chapter 7: Decapitation and Divorce — The Tudors Part II
Chapter 8: Turmoil, Terror and Fatal Illness — The Tudors Part III
Chapter 9: Gloriana and Gore — The Tudors Part IV
Chapter 10: Roundheads and Regicide — The Stuarts Part I
Chapter 11: A Not-So-Merry Monarchy — The Stuarts Part II
Chapter 12: Mistresses and Madness — The Hanoverians Part I
Chapter 13: Battle Royal — The Hanoverians Part II
Chapter 14: Scandal Behind Closed Doors — The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Chapter 15: A Loose Cannon — The Windsors Part I
Chapter 16: A Modern Monarchy? — The Windsors Part II
Index
