The British Monarchy For Dummies
1st Edition
Published on 24. November 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
408 pages
978-0-470-05681-3 (ISBN)
Description
Includes insights into the lives of the current royal family
Britain's heritage told through the colourful lives of its kings and queens
The monarchy is at the heart of British life. If you're going to understand Britain and its history, you need to understand the story of its royal family. This lively guide walks you through the history of the British monarchy from the earliest times to the present day and covers the colourful characters, extraordinary events, power struggles, and politics that have shaped one of the most famous institutions in the world.
Discover
* The origins of the British monarchy
* How the monarchy works
* The relationship between the royal family and the general public
* How the role of the monarch has changed over time
* What the monarch and the rest of the royal family do all day
Britain's heritage told through the colourful lives of its kings and queens
The monarchy is at the heart of British life. If you're going to understand Britain and its history, you need to understand the story of its royal family. This lively guide walks you through the history of the British monarchy from the earliest times to the present day and covers the colourful characters, extraordinary events, power struggles, and politics that have shaped one of the most famous institutions in the world.
Discover
* The origins of the British monarchy
* How the monarchy works
* The relationship between the royal family and the general public
* How the role of the monarch has changed over time
* What the monarch and the rest of the royal family do all day
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Philip Wilkinson was educated at Oxford University, after which he worked as an editor for various publishers in Britain. For the last 15 years or so, he has been a full-time writer specializing in history, the arts, and heritage. He has written books on these subjects for adults and for children, and his titles include What the Romans Did For Us, which accompanied the BBC television series presented by Adam Hart-Davis, the award-winning Amazing Buildings, and The English Buildings Book. He lives in the Cotswolds with his wife and son.
Content
Introduction 1
Part I: All About the Monarchy 9
Chapter 1: Ruling Principles 11
Chapter 2: How the Monarchy Works 23
Part II: Early Rulers 35
Chapter 3: Mini-Kingdoms 37
Chapter 4: England United 51
Chapter 5: Danes versus Saxons 67
Part III: The Middle Ages 79
Chapter 6: Conquering Kings 81
Chapter 7: Plantagenet Power Struggles 97
Chapter 8: More Plantagenets 111
Chapter 9: Lancaster and York: Fighting Families 131
Part IV: The Kings of Scotland 149
Chapter 10: Picts, Scots, and Others 151
Chapter 11: Troublesome English, Troublesome Islanders 173
Chapter 12: The Stewart Story 187
Part V: Kingdoms United: Tudors, Stuarts, and Hanoverians 207
Chapter 13: The Tudors: The Monarchy Triumphs 209
Chapter 14: The Stuarts 231
Chapter 15: The House of Hanover 253
Part VI: Modern Royals: The House of Windsor 277
Chapter 16: Monarchs at War 279
Chapter 17: Thoroughly Modern Monarch: Elizabeth II 297
Chapter 18: The Prince of Wales 315
Part VII: The Part of Tens 331
Chapter 19: Ten Royal Homes 333
Chapter 20: Ten or So Royal Places 341
Chapter 21: Ten Princes of Wales 349
Chapter 22: Ten or So Charismatic Consorts 355
Index 363
Part I: All About the Monarchy 9
Chapter 1: Ruling Principles 11
Chapter 2: How the Monarchy Works 23
Part II: Early Rulers 35
Chapter 3: Mini-Kingdoms 37
Chapter 4: England United 51
Chapter 5: Danes versus Saxons 67
Part III: The Middle Ages 79
Chapter 6: Conquering Kings 81
Chapter 7: Plantagenet Power Struggles 97
Chapter 8: More Plantagenets 111
Chapter 9: Lancaster and York: Fighting Families 131
Part IV: The Kings of Scotland 149
Chapter 10: Picts, Scots, and Others 151
Chapter 11: Troublesome English, Troublesome Islanders 173
Chapter 12: The Stewart Story 187
Part V: Kingdoms United: Tudors, Stuarts, and Hanoverians 207
Chapter 13: The Tudors: The Monarchy Triumphs 209
Chapter 14: The Stuarts 231
Chapter 15: The House of Hanover 253
Part VI: Modern Royals: The House of Windsor 277
Chapter 16: Monarchs at War 279
Chapter 17: Thoroughly Modern Monarch: Elizabeth II 297
Chapter 18: The Prince of Wales 315
Part VII: The Part of Tens 331
Chapter 19: Ten Royal Homes 333
Chapter 20: Ten or So Royal Places 341
Chapter 21: Ten Princes of Wales 349
Chapter 22: Ten or So Charismatic Consorts 355
Index 363