The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England
by Antonia Fraser (Editor & Introduction)
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Description
This magnificent story of one thousand years of English history is told through the lives and deeds of Kings and Queens, from the Normans to the Windsors. Understand how the power of the crown has changed as a result of both the character and ability of each monarch and evolving historical circumstances. Eight specialist contributors depict the whole spectrum of royal life in a succinct and fascinating way. Newly revised in 1998, this edition offers expanded coverage of the House of Windsor, show more including recent events that have greatly affected the Royal Family. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
themulhern English history via the English monarchy. Why not?
Member Reviews
The ranking of 5 stars doesn't mean this is some wonderful classic--but taken for what it is (a biography of every post-Conquest ruler of England)--it is exceedingly well done. I think it's better than the other major book in this area, the Oxford Kings and Queens of England...that book only has short essays on each ruler, and focuses more on the concept of kingship and how it changed through the years. The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England is different-even the random kings no one really pays attention to get decent articles (does anyone really know that much about Henry III or George II, besides the fact the latter died on the toilet?) The book is large and full of paintings or photos, as the era dictates. One other thing: show more though the title is kings and queens of england, each essay focuses mostly on whoever was the ruler. The Queens part refers to Elizabeth I and II, Matilda, Victoria, the Annes, etc. show less
With a few pages on each sovereign arranged chronologically, this feels a bit like I image those books generated from Wikipedia content. I doubt if I will ever be able to separate the Williams, Henrys, Georges, and Edwards in my mind...
Pretty bare bones but considering the length of time and the material covered it limits the amount of information on view for each monarch. Cleared up some of the mysteries of the more infamous monarchs and was easy reading.
This was the first book I got when I started reading about British history. It's a wonderful reference that I've gone back to many, many times when I needed to be reminded about a particular monarch or family.
This is the perfect reference guide to all those interested in English history. Beginning with the Norman Invasion and ending with contemporary monarchy, one can trace the ancestry of the present queen and learn the life and times of each king and queen. It may move you to want to learn more about these, as it did for me. (I bought it after seeing the movie Elizabeth and wanted to know what really happened.)
A nice overview, but a bit overwhelming. Al the names just blend and blend and blend....
Not a fan of Antonia Fraser, but this is a nice resource to have.
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Author Information
Antonia Fraser is the author of numerous internationally bestselling biographies, including "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and "Cromwell: Our Chief of Men". (Publisher Provided)
All Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England
- Original publication date
- 1975
- People/Characters
- Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom; George VI, King of the United Kingdom; Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor; George V, King of the United Kingdom; Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom; Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (show all 11); William IV, King of the United Kingdom; George IV, King of the United Kingdom; George III, King of the United Kingdom; George II, King of Great Britain and Ireland; George I, King of Great Britain and Ireland
- Epigraph
- [None]
- First words
- In one sense a volume of the lives of the kings and queens of England needs no introduction.
Introduction.
William was born at about the time that his father, Robert, became Duke of Normandy (1028).
William I
r. 1066-87 - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The achievement of the present royal family has been to preserve the essential solidarity of British monarchy without ever permitting either the British or the rest of the world to take it for granted.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 941.0099 — History & geography History of Europe British Isles Historical periods of British Isles Geographic treatment, biography Collected persons
- LCC
- DA28.1 .L58 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain England History General
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 1,243
- Popularity
- 19,702
- Reviews
- 9
- Rating
- (3.85)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 23
- UPCs
- 3
- ASINs
- 23