Debrett's Kings And Queens Of Britain

by David Williamson

Debrett’s Kings and Queens of Britain provides a complete and personal survey of the monarchs of England, from the early Celtic and Saxon Kings to the House of Windsor. Additional charts and notes include the kings of Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Starting with Celtic Britain before the Roman invasion – Cassivelaunus, Tascioranus, Cartimandua, Boudicca etc. – the book takes us through the ‘Celtic Twilight’ which preceded the establishment of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms and the coming of Christianity to the unification of England culminating in the first English coronation at Bath in 973.

The Norman invasion heralded the great age of the Plantagenets and the House of Anjou from Henry II to the fall of Richard III at Bosworth field, and the start of the Tudor reigns. With the accession of James VI of Scotland and I of England the book covers the British monarchs through the Stuarts and Hanoverians to our present Royal family, and contains throughout concise and authoritative factual information. It is enlivened by many personal anecdotes about the lives of these most fascinating and historically influential people.

Lavishly produced and illustrated in colour and monochrome with clear genealogical tables, this is a book which will add a new dimension to the study of the monarchy in the British Isles.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a darn good history book, and the framework I would reference to construct my understanding of British history. The only drawback is that (at least the edition I read) it only goes up to the eighties. So far that's fine because only the Queen Mother has died since then.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great coffee table book giving the reader a concise knowledge and understanding of the Constitutional History of the Britain. Hugely enjoyable read and a great gift for anyone interested in royal history as an introduction to same. It covers from 11th century to the 1980s. So possibly due an update to cover the Royals into the 21st century.

[Michael Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coffee-table volume, very attractive, reasonably dependable, and with lots of illustrations and charts. The genealogy is narrative and anecdotal. A terrific books to give as a gift.