Synopses & Reviews
This essential reference is a concise, accessible guide to the great dynasties of English royalty. A collection of biographical sketches that encompasses the period from the establishment of monarchical power by the early Norman kings through the reign of Elizabeth II,
The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England tells the stories of many monarchs and their colorful lives--some merry, some cruel, some heroic, others sinister. Antonia Fraser and a collection of distinguished contributors bring the people and events to life in this lavishly illustrated volume that is both engrossing history and an excellent reference tool.
This updated edition includes a new essay describing the recently tumultuous reign of the Windsors. Included are details of the weddings of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson; the acrimonious collapse of the marriages; the effect the media have had on the royal family's image; and the fire at Windsor Castle. Such recent events as Diana's tragic death, the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the launching of Queen Elizabeth's own website are also discussed.
Accompanying the text are 175 contemporary illustrations and drawings of the royal coats of arms, with their significance explained by J.P. Brooke-Little, Richmond Herald of Arms. This is a dazzling story of a thousand years of English history, as told through the lives and deeds of the nation's sovereigns.
Synopsis
Spanning ten dynasties, this is a guide to almost one thousand years of history, told through the lives and deeds of England's kings and queens. Biographies of the English monarchs, from the invading Normans to the contemporary House of Windsor, bring to life the complex characters of both well-known figures, such as Victoria, and enigmatic sovereigns, such as Richard III. Accompanying the text are contemporary and historical illustrations, genealogical tables, and drawings of the royal coats of arms, whose origins and significance are clearly explained.
A concise and useful reference, The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England is an invaluable resource.
[Note: This 1995 paperback edition is now out of stock. A New Updated Edition is available in cloth and paperback.]
About the Author
Antonia Fraser is an internationally acclaimed writer. Her historical biographies include Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell, Our Chief of Men, Charles II, and The Six Wives of Henry VIII.
Table of Contents
Contributors:
Maurice Ashley
J. P. Brooke-Little
Anthony Cheetham
John Clarke
Peter Earle
John Gillingham
Richard Luckett
Jasper Ridley
Neville Williams