
1936
The Year of Three Kings
Sian Evans(Author)
Hodder & Stoughton (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 27. August 2026
Book
Hardback
416 pages
978-1-3997-2276-6 (ISBN)
Description
In December 1936 King Edward VIII made history when he abdicated the British throne. The orthodox story is that he gave up his crown to marry the woman he loved, the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson, who the establishment deemed unsuitable to become Queen.
But now historian Sian Evans suggests instead that a visit that the King made, in November 1936, to the distressed areas of South Wales was the tipping point that led to the abdication. Edward VIII's public sympathy for the unemployed, many of whom had fought alongside him in the Great War, caused him to overstep his constitutional role by drifting into politics. Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin was determined that he had to go, and he used the King's clandestine relationship with Mrs Simpson as the means to replace him.
1936: The Year of Three Kings explores the private motivations and public actions of the reluctant new King, month by month, from the death of his father George V, through to his abdication and the accession of his brother George VI. And it addresses the lasting repercussions for the British royal family that continue to this day, including the ultimate dilemma that Edward VIII faced: should desire for personal happiness and fulfilment triumph over the obligations imposed by an accident of birth?
But now historian Sian Evans suggests instead that a visit that the King made, in November 1936, to the distressed areas of South Wales was the tipping point that led to the abdication. Edward VIII's public sympathy for the unemployed, many of whom had fought alongside him in the Great War, caused him to overstep his constitutional role by drifting into politics. Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin was determined that he had to go, and he used the King's clandestine relationship with Mrs Simpson as the means to replace him.
1936: The Year of Three Kings explores the private motivations and public actions of the reluctant new King, month by month, from the death of his father George V, through to his abdication and the accession of his brother George VI. And it addresses the lasting repercussions for the British royal family that continue to this day, including the ultimate dilemma that Edward VIII faced: should desire for personal happiness and fulfilment triumph over the obligations imposed by an accident of birth?
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
Plate section and integrated chapter openers
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-3997-2276-6 (9781399722766)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
approx. 08/2026
Hodder & Stoughton
€18.99
Not yet available
Person
Sian Evans is a cultural historian who has worked for the National Trust, the V&A and the Design Museum. She is the author of several works of social history, including Queen Bees: Six Brilliant and Extraordinary Society Hostesses Between the Wars; Maiden Voyages: Women and the Golden Age of Transatlantic Travel; Mrs Ronnie; The Manor Reborn and Life Below Stairs. Born in Cardiff, she lives in London.