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Kings and Queens of England: Book Two
Ladybird Books
- GenresHistory
52 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1968
About the author
L. Du Garde Peach
80 books13 followersLawrence du Garde Peach was an English author and writer of plays for radio, stage and screen. Today he may be best remembered as the author of over 30 books for Ladybird's Adventure from History series of nonfiction children's books, published from 1957 until his death, which was the largest series Ladybird ever produced, and remained in print until 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 5, 2019
Ladybird history books are social history at it's best, from; I would estimate ages 8 to 14 for school use of simply to enjoy. They bring history alive for children, and are filled with fascinating information. As well as bringing alive an animated, exciting past, they also show how events of the past, are with us today, in so many fascinating ways.
The reigns of the Kings and Queens in this book cover over 500 years, from the reign of King Henry VII of the House of Tudor, to the present Queen Elizabeth II.
It would certainly require a large history book, to seriously document all of the important events that happened in Britain during the last 500 years. But this book gives young readers a nice but brief overview of how England changed during the reign of these monarchs and a little about each one of them, whetting their appetite for more information.
During these 500 years there have been wars and revolutions, attempted invasions of Britain by Spain, Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany, and the rise and fall of the powerful British Empire.
There have been great changes in industry and communication. This book was first published in 1968, and written by L Du Garde Peach with fabulous illustrations by John Kenny.
The reigns of the Kings and Queens in this book cover over 500 years, from the reign of King Henry VII of the House of Tudor, to the present Queen Elizabeth II.
It would certainly require a large history book, to seriously document all of the important events that happened in Britain during the last 500 years. But this book gives young readers a nice but brief overview of how England changed during the reign of these monarchs and a little about each one of them, whetting their appetite for more information.
During these 500 years there have been wars and revolutions, attempted invasions of Britain by Spain, Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany, and the rise and fall of the powerful British Empire.
There have been great changes in industry and communication. This book was first published in 1968, and written by L Du Garde Peach with fabulous illustrations by John Kenny.
July 20, 2019
'Kings and Queens Book 2' takes us from Henry VII (1485-1509) through to the present day with informative pieces on the 23 monarchs, plus Oliver Cromwell, who had reigned over the 534 years in question.
Victory at Bosworth gave Henry VII the crown and he turned out to be a wise king who was determined to put an end to the financial problems of the country by such things as ending expensive wars abroad and making taxation more favourable at home. On the other hand henry VIII was strong and ruthless and he was determined that England should be powerful and prosperous while Edward VI was only nine years old when he ascended the throne with the issue of the Church of England Prayer Book in English being the most significant event of his short reign.
Mary, too, had a short reign, just five years, but she was followed by her younger sister Elizabeth I who was on the throne for 45 years. We remember her years chiefly for the defeat of the Spanish Armada. And so this delightful book continues, with each monarch and the principal events connected with their reigns being examined in sufficient details for the reader to get a grasp of the personality of the monarch and what was going on at the time.
Poor Charles I lost his head and thus Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector and England became a Commonwealth. Cromwell was stern but tolerant and he ruled England well and made her army and navy the best in the world. But like Charles I, he had his problems with Parliament and it is recorded that he drove the Members out, locked the door and put the key in his pocket! [good luck with one Boris!]
Of course the entry on Elizabeth II is far from complete but it does take the story to 1962 with many of the great changes in the lives of her people being duly noted to that date.
'Kings and Queens Book 2' is another fine book from the Ladybird stable.
Victory at Bosworth gave Henry VII the crown and he turned out to be a wise king who was determined to put an end to the financial problems of the country by such things as ending expensive wars abroad and making taxation more favourable at home. On the other hand henry VIII was strong and ruthless and he was determined that England should be powerful and prosperous while Edward VI was only nine years old when he ascended the throne with the issue of the Church of England Prayer Book in English being the most significant event of his short reign.
Mary, too, had a short reign, just five years, but she was followed by her younger sister Elizabeth I who was on the throne for 45 years. We remember her years chiefly for the defeat of the Spanish Armada. And so this delightful book continues, with each monarch and the principal events connected with their reigns being examined in sufficient details for the reader to get a grasp of the personality of the monarch and what was going on at the time.
Poor Charles I lost his head and thus Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector and England became a Commonwealth. Cromwell was stern but tolerant and he ruled England well and made her army and navy the best in the world. But like Charles I, he had his problems with Parliament and it is recorded that he drove the Members out, locked the door and put the key in his pocket! [good luck with one Boris!]
Of course the entry on Elizabeth II is far from complete but it does take the story to 1962 with many of the great changes in the lives of her people being duly noted to that date.
'Kings and Queens Book 2' is another fine book from the Ladybird stable.
December 13, 2018
I liked this quick overview of the later half of the English Kings and Queens, though I ultimately disagree with some of them, ie. George I being classed as unimportant and George III being classed as severely unpopular.
June 10, 2025
Again, like book 1 this is a nostalgic piece. Covering from Henry VII to Elizabeth II each page covers a monarch, and changes or developments during their reign.
This one is far more interesting when comparing views on the Monarchs and their times written in the 1968, with how we view them today, almost 60 years later.
This one is far more interesting when comparing views on the Monarchs and their times written in the 1968, with how we view them today, almost 60 years later.
December 13, 2023
this is a well illustrated little book second in series about kings and queens, great for children and adults alike to brush up on their regal history
June 28, 2026
Superb book.
January 18, 2013
Not as funny as the first one, but I knew more of the Kings and Queens.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews