Dark History of the Kings & Queens of England: 1066 to the Present Day

Brenda Ralph Lewis

Oct 2012 · Amber Books Ltd

About this ebook

Despite 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. A Dark History: 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. 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.

Ratings and reviews

It's fun to see the more human side of the monarchs. Well written, unstuffy, and a refreshingly irreverent look at the naughtier side of several people you might otherwise only think of as an old painting in some musty museum.

Only two monarchs in and I got the impression the author set out to simply bag every English monarch she could. Whilst I am not saying the crimes or behavior of the monarchs that she describes isn't true, I found it all one sided. For example when discussing Henry Plantagenent and the murder of Thomas Becket no where do we get told that the king did not actually order the murder but that the nobles simply assumed they were working on his wishes. Very misleading narrative.

About the author

Brenda Ralph Lewis has written more than 100 books and hundreds of magazine articles, as well as radio and television documentaries, on subjects including history (both ancient and modern), myth and legend, animal and insect life, archaeology and genealogy. She lives in Buckinghamshire, England.