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Kings and Queens
A copiously illustrated guide to the monarchs of the British Isles and Ireland from pre-Saxon times to the present, complete with concise genealogical charts and details of key historical events. The book is divided into five sections, together with a Compendium at the end. Part One, presents information about Pre-Saxon rule, including details about ancient British chiefs, Roman rulers and the Roman Conquest. Part Two provides information about Scotland, Ireland and Wales, with sections on Robert I and the Wars of Independence, The Union of the Crowns, the Princes of Wales and the High Kingship of Ireland.
Part Three discusses the Saxons, Normans and Plantagenets. Part Four gives details about the Tudors and Stuarts. Part Five presents an in-depth discussion of the houses from Hanover to Windsor. Parts Two to Five provide all the essential information you will need to know about Kings and Queens including details of birth, parents, accession to the throne, coronation, authority, personal status, death date and burial place for each monarch. In addition an overview is given for each reign outlining major events and personal tragedies, war, celebrations and conspiracies.
Part Three discusses the Saxons, Normans and Plantagenets. Part Four gives details about the Tudors and Stuarts. Part Five presents an in-depth discussion of the houses from Hanover to Windsor. Parts Two to Five provide all the essential information you will need to know about Kings and Queens including details of birth, parents, accession to the throne, coronation, authority, personal status, death date and burial place for each monarch. In addition an overview is given for each reign outlining major events and personal tragedies, war, celebrations and conspiracies.
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 1971
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 20, 2017
Small but mighty. I was in England for a week, bought this at the British Museum, and proceeded to devour it for the next several days. Nothing like an American Anglophile reading about the history of the monarchy whilst in London, eh? (But seriously, this book packs an astonishing amount of information into its 3x4.5x0.5" dimensions. All the way back thru Pre-Saxon Rule, by jove!)
June 29, 2016
Kings & Queens takes you on a journey through British history, from the Iron Age till today, from Celtic chiefs to Queen Elizabeth II.
The little book – literally, it’s about 12 to 8 cm big, or a little more than 4.5 to 3 inches – definitely has its charm. There are five main sections, separated by different colors: “Pre-Saxon Rule”, “Scotland, Ireland and Wales”, “Saxons, Normans and Plantaganets”, “Tudors and Stuarts” and “Hanover to Windsor”. Kings and Queens from all periods are shortly introduced, next to important events in history, anecdotes, and lots and lots of pictures. It’s fun. It’s fast. It sure gives you an overview, which is what I wanted. And it sure is quite handy when you’re on the road, perhaps visiting some site in Britain, craving to know something about the… Danish Kings? A certain Tudor King (who were the wives of Henry VIII perhaps)? The House of Windsor?
I bought it quite a while ago, actually about six years ago, for the reasons just stated. Now, I felt like having a new look at it, refresh my memory of British history. And I must say I’m somewhat disappointed. The text seems sloppy, only a part of the pictures are labeled… Looking at the Roman part in the beginning for example (I can judge this the best, which is why I pick that), I was taken aback for different reasons. It seems very incoherent. The dates given for the emperors mentioned sometimes indicate the dates they lived, sometimes the dates they ruled. The capital of the initial Roman province is not mentioned, while the capitals of the two/four Britannic provinces in the third/fourth century are listed. And: “Constantine founded a new capital, Byzantium, which resulted in the division of the empire into west and east.” (p. 19). Well that’s news to me… Anyway. It’s not the impreciseness that bothers me (ok, it does, somewhat). It’s more the impression that the book was written in a very fast way, without having been given much thought. And while lots of pictures are added, they are primarily there to look nice, not to complement the text. The whole booklet seems to just have been made to look nice, and of course to be sold well (which is bad if noticeable…).
Ok, long story short. The book is handy and fun, and gives a fast overview of the reign in Britain through time. However, since it does not seem to be very well researched, it must certainly be read with some caution.
The little book – literally, it’s about 12 to 8 cm big, or a little more than 4.5 to 3 inches – definitely has its charm. There are five main sections, separated by different colors: “Pre-Saxon Rule”, “Scotland, Ireland and Wales”, “Saxons, Normans and Plantaganets”, “Tudors and Stuarts” and “Hanover to Windsor”. Kings and Queens from all periods are shortly introduced, next to important events in history, anecdotes, and lots and lots of pictures. It’s fun. It’s fast. It sure gives you an overview, which is what I wanted. And it sure is quite handy when you’re on the road, perhaps visiting some site in Britain, craving to know something about the… Danish Kings? A certain Tudor King (who were the wives of Henry VIII perhaps)? The House of Windsor?
I bought it quite a while ago, actually about six years ago, for the reasons just stated. Now, I felt like having a new look at it, refresh my memory of British history. And I must say I’m somewhat disappointed. The text seems sloppy, only a part of the pictures are labeled… Looking at the Roman part in the beginning for example (I can judge this the best, which is why I pick that), I was taken aback for different reasons. It seems very incoherent. The dates given for the emperors mentioned sometimes indicate the dates they lived, sometimes the dates they ruled. The capital of the initial Roman province is not mentioned, while the capitals of the two/four Britannic provinces in the third/fourth century are listed. And: “Constantine founded a new capital, Byzantium, which resulted in the division of the empire into west and east.” (p. 19). Well that’s news to me… Anyway. It’s not the impreciseness that bothers me (ok, it does, somewhat). It’s more the impression that the book was written in a very fast way, without having been given much thought. And while lots of pictures are added, they are primarily there to look nice, not to complement the text. The whole booklet seems to just have been made to look nice, and of course to be sold well (which is bad if noticeable…).
Ok, long story short. The book is handy and fun, and gives a fast overview of the reign in Britain through time. However, since it does not seem to be very well researched, it must certainly be read with some caution.
July 16, 2022
Actual review, 3,5/5 stars
A very interesting and enlightening read on the British monarchy. I still would have preferred if this book contained more historical facts on the royal families and the British monarchs. I know it's merely a guidebook but still more information would have been useful. I enjoyed reading it a lot, since its read came after my first ever visit to London.
A very interesting and enlightening read on the British monarchy. I still would have preferred if this book contained more historical facts on the royal families and the British monarchs. I know it's merely a guidebook but still more information would have been useful. I enjoyed reading it a lot, since its read came after my first ever visit to London.
July 8, 2024
Great summary of British monarchs throughout history!
January 1, 2025
Informative.
September 27, 2015
It's 4 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches; it fits in your pocket or the palm of your hand; it tells you what you need to know about every British sovereign, with plentiful pictures. Why was James I also James VI? What made Ethelred Unready? Who were "the Maypole" and "the Elephant"? All lies within these little covers. It is a great portable, lightweight history of 20 centuries. For a tourist going into monarchic overload at Britain's many castles, churches, portraits and monuments, this is perfect.
November 27, 2017
This book is a treasure, offering an all-around picture of the British monarchy that’s very helpful to those interested in the subject. The best thing about it is its completeness – most books about the British monarchy start in 1066 with William the Conqueror, or at best a century earlier with the Anglo-Saxon and Danish kings. But a lot happened on the island before William conquered it.
The book presents a look at Britain in the first millennium, with an overview taking the reader from the Romans to the Angles/Saxons/Jutes, to the seven kingdoms that presaged a united England (Kent, Mercia, Wessex, etc.). Providing all this context for British history was a gift. The book also actually addresses the monarchy in Scotland from the beginning, instead of picking up on it in Tudor times, presenting the very weird dynastic struggles for the throne that kept it changing hands between two branches of a royal house.
Admittedly, the book occasionally simplifies to the point of error. For example, it states that James VI of Scotland became James I of England because there was no other viable succession, completely ignoring the claims of the Grey sisters in the Act of Succession. There are also a few typos in regards to dates. And the book is now out-of-date, still listing Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch. But these are minor quibbles – the book is not meant to be the last word on the monarchy, but rather a quick reference, and it accomplishes that with aplomb.
The book presents a look at Britain in the first millennium, with an overview taking the reader from the Romans to the Angles/Saxons/Jutes, to the seven kingdoms that presaged a united England (Kent, Mercia, Wessex, etc.). Providing all this context for British history was a gift. The book also actually addresses the monarchy in Scotland from the beginning, instead of picking up on it in Tudor times, presenting the very weird dynastic struggles for the throne that kept it changing hands between two branches of a royal house.
Admittedly, the book occasionally simplifies to the point of error. For example, it states that James VI of Scotland became James I of England because there was no other viable succession, completely ignoring the claims of the Grey sisters in the Act of Succession. There are also a few typos in regards to dates. And the book is now out-of-date, still listing Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch. But these are minor quibbles – the book is not meant to be the last word on the monarchy, but rather a quick reference, and it accomplishes that with aplomb.
July 1, 2018
A nice, neat and concise overview of British monarchs.
May 27, 2020
Compact and fascinating, including information about Scottish, Welsh and Irish Kings and lots of other little historical deliverable too. Definitely value for money.
August 8, 2021
No reason for this to be pocket sized, but still a handy little reference book
March 7, 2023
The text is super small, but interesting.
June 16, 2012
Compact and distilled, this little Collins Gem Series book has been an invaluable quick source of information about the line of British royalty and history of reigns. It is too small and handy as a quick reference to be more than that; individual rulers are assigned a page or two at most, but the essentials are there at your fingertips: dates, parentage, marriages and offspring - and a few details about the events or tone of the reign. I go to Google or other historical sources for more in-depth coverage, of course, but this little pocket-sized book is a quick and ready source for getting a handle of lineage at your finger tips. I keep it handy and pull it down at least several times a year, as tonight to give a quick over while in the midst of doing the BBC series of eleven episodes of The Monarchy through Netflix on Roku. Anyone interested in keeping track of the English sovereignty without a quantity of heavy tomes can start with this true little "gem" of quick and ready history easy to access.
August 18, 2010
When i first bought this i could not get over the amazing miniture design of a dictionary of kings and queens. Its surprising to know you actual find so many facts from the small pages. I definitely recommend if studying History or vene having a souvenir from the Tower of London of where you can buy it.
February 26, 2012
Brilliant! I only wish it could have been bigger!
April 15, 2012
Recently purchased this little reference book on a trip to London. Very valuable reference choice. It will fit in purse or pocket easily! And, be ready as you are trooping through old tombs!
March 4, 2015
A very little book with a lot to learn from. It is very handy for learning quick facts about english monarchs.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews