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The Comic History of England
Excerpt from The Comic History of England
Chap. 1. Henry the Seventh II. Henry the Eighth III. Henry the Eighth - (continued) IV. Henry the Eighth - (continued) V. Henry the Eighth - (concluded)
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Chap. 1. Henry the Seventh II. Henry the Eighth III. Henry the Eighth - (continued) IV. Henry the Eighth - (continued) V. Henry the Eighth - (concluded)
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
660 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1864
About the author
Gilbert Abbott à Beckett
124 books8 followersGilbert Abbott à Beckett (9 January 1811 – 30 August 1856) was an English humorist. He was born in London, the son of a lawyer, and belonged to a family claiming descent from Thomas Becket. He was educated at Westminster School and was called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1841.
He edited the comic paper Figaro in London and was one of the original staff of Punch and a contributor until his death. He was an active journalist on The Times and The Morning Herald, contributed a series of light articles to The Illustrated London News, conducted in 1846 The Almanack of the Month and found time to produce some fifty or sixty plays, among them dramatized versions of Charles Dickens's shorter stories, written in collaboration with Mark Lemon. He is perhaps best known as the author of Comic History of England, Comic History of Rome, Comic Blackstone, etc. He wrote the book for two opera with music composed by his wife Mary Anne à Beckett (née Glossop), Agnes Sorrel and Red Riding Hood.
As poor-law commissioner he presented a valuable report to the Home Secretary regarding the Andover workhouse scandal, and in 1849 he became a metropolitan police magistrate. He died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, of typhoid fever and is buried at Highgate Cemetery.
His elder brother, Sir William à Beckett (1806–1869), became chief justice of Victoria, Australia. He was the father of two other Victorian writers, Gilbert Arthur à Beckett and Arthur William à Beckett. His wife, Mrs. G. A. à Beckett (1817?–1863) was a composer.
He edited the comic paper Figaro in London and was one of the original staff of Punch and a contributor until his death. He was an active journalist on The Times and The Morning Herald, contributed a series of light articles to The Illustrated London News, conducted in 1846 The Almanack of the Month and found time to produce some fifty or sixty plays, among them dramatized versions of Charles Dickens's shorter stories, written in collaboration with Mark Lemon. He is perhaps best known as the author of Comic History of England, Comic History of Rome, Comic Blackstone, etc. He wrote the book for two opera with music composed by his wife Mary Anne à Beckett (née Glossop), Agnes Sorrel and Red Riding Hood.
As poor-law commissioner he presented a valuable report to the Home Secretary regarding the Andover workhouse scandal, and in 1849 he became a metropolitan police magistrate. He died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, of typhoid fever and is buried at Highgate Cemetery.
His elder brother, Sir William à Beckett (1806–1869), became chief justice of Victoria, Australia. He was the father of two other Victorian writers, Gilbert Arthur à Beckett and Arthur William à Beckett. His wife, Mrs. G. A. à Beckett (1817?–1863) was a composer.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 25, 2025
Not funny at all, but a great condensed history of the British Empire.
December 11, 2024
The Comic History of England by A. Beckett, first published in the mid-19th century, is a unique and entertaining exploration of English history, combining humor, satire, and historical commentary in a way that is both educational and amusing. This book takes a light-hearted approach to chronicling the history of England, from its earliest times to the Victorian era, blending fact with wit.
Beckett’s writing is lively and engaging, providing readers with a perspective on historical events that is both informative and humorous. The book covers significant moments in English history, such as the reigns of various monarchs, pivotal battles, and major social changes. However, Beckett is not afraid to poke fun at the more absurd or trivial aspects of the past, making it a more enjoyable read compared to traditional historical texts.
One of the standout features of The Comic History of England is the accompanying illustrations, which are numerous and add to the book’s charm. The images are whimsical and exaggerated, perfectly complementing Beckett’s comedic tone. These illustrations bring the historical events to life in a way that purely textual descriptions could not, making it both visually and intellectually stimulating.
While Beckett’s comedic approach might not suit every reader, those with an appreciation for humor and satire will find this book to be both entertaining and enlightening. It serves as a fun introduction to English history for those who may find conventional history books dry and tedious. Though it is important to remember that the book is not a scholarly history, it offers an accessible and enjoyable alternative to more traditional texts.
In conclusion, The Comic History of England is a delightful blend of history, humor, and art. It provides readers with an entertaining way to learn about England’s past while enjoying the wit and creativity of A. Beckett. Whether you are a history buff or someone looking for a lighthearted approach to learning, this book offers something for everyone.
Beckett’s writing is lively and engaging, providing readers with a perspective on historical events that is both informative and humorous. The book covers significant moments in English history, such as the reigns of various monarchs, pivotal battles, and major social changes. However, Beckett is not afraid to poke fun at the more absurd or trivial aspects of the past, making it a more enjoyable read compared to traditional historical texts.
One of the standout features of The Comic History of England is the accompanying illustrations, which are numerous and add to the book’s charm. The images are whimsical and exaggerated, perfectly complementing Beckett’s comedic tone. These illustrations bring the historical events to life in a way that purely textual descriptions could not, making it both visually and intellectually stimulating.
While Beckett’s comedic approach might not suit every reader, those with an appreciation for humor and satire will find this book to be both entertaining and enlightening. It serves as a fun introduction to English history for those who may find conventional history books dry and tedious. Though it is important to remember that the book is not a scholarly history, it offers an accessible and enjoyable alternative to more traditional texts.
In conclusion, The Comic History of England is a delightful blend of history, humor, and art. It provides readers with an entertaining way to learn about England’s past while enjoying the wit and creativity of A. Beckett. Whether you are a history buff or someone looking for a lighthearted approach to learning, this book offers something for everyone.
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October 14, 2018The combination of excruciating puns, laboured wordplay and contemporary references make this very hard work for the modern reader. It's not comic in the same sense as 1066 And All That, but treats history as if it is current. There are some very sharp judgements on historical figures, but they take a lot of searching out. I can't recommend this unless you have a great deal of time on your hands.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews