Monarchs Murderers And Mistresses

Which 'ill-prepared' monarch was on the throne at the turn of the last millennium? How many English monarchs have been crowned on St. George's day? When, how and why did England 'lose' eleven days? Monarchs, Murderers and Mistresses answers these questions and more, presenting a royal event for each day of the calendar year in vivid detail with close-ups of the personalities involved.

Which 'ill-prepared' monarch was on the English throne at the turn of the last millenium? How many English monarchs have been crowned on St George's Day? When, how and why did England 'lose' eleven days? "Monarchs, Murders & Mistresses" answers these questions and many more, presenting a royal event for each day of the calendar year in vivid detail with close-ups of the personalities involved. The book reveals the recurring occupational difficulties faced by the royal family over the centuries: as Shakespeare's Henry VI so memorably concludes. 'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown'. Today the royal family is plagued by the press, but even 300 years ago Charles II felt the need to apologise to a crowd of onlookers for taking so long to die. this book contains topics ranging from the death of William III, who was killed by a mole to the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots. These, and over 400 other tales of royal days, bring alive the drama of what it was, and is, to be a king or a queen.

Covering 1000 years of royal history, from Alfred to the present royal family, David Hilliam's volume is a quick reference that covers many of the major royal events down the ages.

Who invented the 'House of Windsor' as a royal name? Who founded Westminster Abbey? Which king had twenty-one illegitimate children? David Hilliam answers all of these questions and more. Here is a continuous history of the English monarchy, showing how the nine dynasties rose and fell. The book describes the most memorable features of the life and times of each king and queen - from Egbert, crowned in 802 and considered the first king of England, to Queen Elizabeth II - as well as recording the extraordinary lives of their queens, consorts, mistresses and bastard children. It also tells the story of the Saxons, describes what has happened to the monarchs' mortal remains, and relates many lively incidents of royal history that rarely appear in the text books. Read of the saintly Edward the Confessor, who is believed to have refused to consummate his marriage; of teh rumbustious Henry VIII, given to beheading those who displeased him; of the 'little gentleman in black velvet', who caused the death of William III; and of Queen Victoria's strangest servant, the 'Munshi', Queen Emma, who endured a trial by ordeal; and Anne Boleyn, widely suspected of being a witch. A complete list of the monarchs' reigns and a genealogical table showing the royal descent down thirty-seven generations from Egbert to Elizabeth II adds to the volume's reference value.

Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy, Second Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 800 cross-referenced entries that cover significant events, places, institutions, and other aspects of British culture, economics, politics, and society.

Acclaimed author Alison Weir brings to life the extraordinary tale of Katherine Swynford, a royal mistress who became one of the most crucial figures in the history of Great Britain. Born in the mid-fourteenth century, Katherine de Roët was only twelve when she married Hugh Swynford, an impoverished knight. But her story had truly begun two years earlier, when she was appointed governess to the household of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and fourth son of King Edward III. Widowed at twenty-one, Katherine became John's mistress and then, after many twists of fortune, his bride in a scandalous marriage. Mistress of the Monarchy reveals a woman ahead of her time—making her own choices, flouting convention, and taking control of her own destiny. Indeed, without Katherine Swynford, the course of English history, perhaps even the world, would have been very different.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Katherine Swynford, the famous adulteress, was placed in the household of Philippa of Hainault, wife to Edward III of England, at the age of two or thereabouts. She was a Hainaulter and may have had noble or even royal connections through her mother. #2 The arms of the town of Le Roeulx were a silver lion on a green field holding a wheel in its paw. This is a play on words, for wheel in French is roue, which is similar to, and symbolic of, Roeulx. It was a theme adopted by Paon de Roet’s family. #3 Paon de Roët was a knight who came to England in 1327 in the train of Philippa of Hainault, who married the young King Edward III on 24 January 1328 in York Minster. He may have been present at the royal wedding, which took place in the as yet unroofed minster in the midst of a snowstorm. #4 Paon was a Guienne King of Arms, and he was probably appointed to this position in c. 1334 by Queen Philippa. He was loved by the Queen because he was her countryman, but he never came to greater prominence at the English court.